Got a ticket? That sinking feeling is no fun. But before you just pay the fine, let’s talk about a smarter move: taking a course to remove points from your license. It’s like a “do-over” for your driving record, and it’s easier than you think. Choosing a 4-hour driving course Florida online is the first step to keeping your record clean.
Got a Ticket? Here’s Your Game Plan
Getting a traffic citation in Florida feels like a hassle, but you have more power here than you think. Just paying the fine is the easy way out, but it’s also the most expensive in the long run. The best play is almost always electing to complete a Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course—what most of us just call traffic school Florida.
Here’s the deal: when you pay that ticket, you’re pleading guilty. That means points go directly onto your license. Those points can stay for years, and your insurance company will notice. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), getting too many points can lead to your license being suspended. Yikes!
The Traffic School Advantage
This is where a BDI course saves the day. By choosing to take a Florida-approved traffic school course, you stop the points from ever touching your record for that ticket.
Think of it this way:
- Paying the ticket: It’s like getting a bad grade that stays on your report card.
- Taking the BDI course: It’s like the teacher letting you do an extra credit project to keep your good grade.
Our company offers the best tools for your driver education needs. At BDISchool.com, our online BDI course is fast, easy, and you get your certificate right after you finish. We have a variety of courses to fit your needs.
Let’s look at your two main options.
Your Options After a Florida Traffic Ticket
This simple table shows why taking a course is the better choice.
| Action Taken | Points on Your License | What Happens to Your Insurance? |
|---|---|---|
| Just Pay the Ticket | Yes, points are added. | Your rates will probably go up. |
| Take a BDI Course | No, points are not added. | Your rates are much less likely to go up. |
See the difference? Choosing a course to remove points from your license is you taking control. You show you’re a responsible driver and protect your driving record and your money.
For more great info on safe driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is a helpful government resource.
Ready to make the smart choice? You can get registered for your course right now.
So, Can You Actually Take a Course to Dodge Points in Florida?
Yes, you can absolutely take a course to keep points off your Florida license. But you need to know the rules. It’s a great option, but it doesn’t work for every single ticket.
Let’s see if this is the right move for you.
When you “elect” (that means choose) to take traffic school, you make a deal with the court. You show them you are serious about being a safer driver. In return, they agree not to add the points for that ticket to your record. This is a huge win—it helps keep your record clean and stops your insurance from getting more expensive.
Knowing the Traffic School Ground Rules
Florida law is very clear. The main rule, from Florida Statute 318.14(9), says you can use this option only five times in your life. Think of them as five “get out of points free” cards. Use them wisely!
There’s another rule. You can only use one of these cards once every 12 months. If you took a BDI course last April, you have to wait until this April before you can do it again.
Practical Example: Let’s say you get a ticket for going 10 mph over the speed limit. This is a 3-point violation. If you just pay the fine, those 3 points go on your license. But if you elect to take a defensive driving school course, you pay the fine, complete the class, and no points are added!
When Traffic School Is Not an Option
You can’t always choose traffic school. You usually can’t take a course if your ticket was for:
- A serious crime like a DUI.
- A ticket you got while driving a big truck (a commercial motor vehicle).
- A ticket from an accident that caused a serious injury.
Understanding these simple rules helps you decide if our Florida Basic Driver Improvement course is the best choice for you. The goal is simple: keep your record clean, your insurance rates low, and stay safe.
Alright, so you have a ticket and want to make those points go away. Let’s walk through how to do this quickly and easily.
First, you must tell the Clerk of Court in the county where you got the ticket that you choose to take a Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course. Don’t skip this! This is how you officially start the process.
Once you do that, the rest is easy. You can start our state-approved driver safety course. We made it for busy people. You can finish our 4-hour driving course Florida online on your phone, tablet, or computer. You are in control.
Your Roadmap From Ticket To Tidy Record
Dealing with a ticket is no fun, but the process to fix it can be simple. We’ve made it as easy as possible.
Once you know you can take the course, you just work through our Florida approved traffic school at your own speed. No stress, no set times.
Here’s the best part: the second you finish the course, your certificate of completion is ready. Instantly. No waiting for the mail. You can download it, give it to the clerk, and be done with it.
Practical Example: Maria got a ticket in Miami-Dade County. She went to the clerk’s website, paid her fine, and checked a box to “elect traffic school.” Then, she signed up for our online traffic school and finished it that same weekend. She downloaded her certificate right away and uploaded it to the county’s online portal. The whole thing was done in just a few days!
As a Florida-approved traffic school, our certificate is accepted in every county in the state. Guaranteed.
Want to see what you’ll learn to be a safer driver? Check out our online defensive driving course. Just make sure you get everything done before the county’s deadline.
You finished the traffic course. Great job! But wait, there is one last, very important step.
You need to give your completion certificate to the Clerk of Court in the county where you got the ticket. This is how you prove you did the work and keep the points off your license.
Where and How Do I Turn This Thing In?
Every county in Florida is a little different. Some let you upload the certificate on their website. Others want you to mail it or bring it in person.
Do not guess. If you do it wrong, you could miss the deadline and get the points anyway.
The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) website has a list of all the county court locations. This is your best friend right now.
Here is what their site looks like. It’s very easy to use.
Taking two minutes to check the right address and how to submit it will save you a lot of trouble. Once you send it in the right way, you are officially done.
Once the Clerk of Court gets your certificate, they will update your case and waive the points. Your record stays clean. Mission accomplished.
For a full guide on this whole process, check out our page on how to remove points from your license in Florida.
Becoming a Smarter and Safer Driver for Life
Let’s be honest—nobody wants to take a driver safety course. But it’s not a punishment. It’s more like a power-up for your driving skills. You’re not just getting rid of a ticket; you’re becoming a better, safer driver.
Our defensive driving school is all about real-world skills. We teach you how to see problems on the road before they happen. This can save you from future tickets and accidents. You’ll also get a great refresher on Florida traffic laws. People with disabilities or functional needs will also find our courses accessible and easy to follow.
More Than Just Point Removal
The benefits are bigger than just a clean record. When you spend a few hours on our online BDI course, you help make the roads safer for everyone.
The experts at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) agree. They say driver education helps lower the number of crashes. It’s simple: drivers who learn more are safer drivers.
Practical Example: A study by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) showed that drivers who completed defensive driving courses were much less likely to be in a crash in the next year. Taking a course to remove points from a license helps everyone stay safe.
These courses are made to help you drive better. To see how points work in Florida, check out our guide on Florida points on a license.
Spending a little time on a driver education course is one of the best things you can do. You are not just fixing a mistake; you are making yourself a safer driver for the future.
Still Have Questions? Let’s Clear a Few Things Up
You know the basics, but you might still have questions. That’s normal. Let’s answer some common questions Florida drivers have about traffic tickets.
“Great, I’ll take the course… so I don’t have to pay the ticket, right?”
Slow down! This is a very common mistake. Taking a basic driver improvement course is great for keeping points off your license, but you still have to pay the ticket fine.
You must do both: pay the fine to the county clerk and finish the course by your deadline.
“Okay, so how long do I have to get this done?”
The county where you got the ticket decides your deadline. The Clerk of Court will give you a date, usually 60 to 90 days from the day you choose the traffic school option.
Do not miss this deadline! Check the exact date with your county clerk.
My advice? Don’t wait. Sign up and finish your online traffic school course right away. You don’t want to get points just because you waited too long.
“How do I even know if I’m allowed to take this course?”
The rules are simple. You can use a BDI course to avoid points as long as:
- You have not taken a course like this in the last 12 months.
- You have not used this option more than five times in your whole life.
This is all written in Florida Statute 318.14(9), which you can read on the official Florida Senate website.
“Is this some random online course, or is it actually legit?”
It is 100% real! We are an officially approved Florida traffic school provider.
This means our completion certificate is accepted in all 67 Florida counties. You can verify with the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) website.
Ready to put that ticket behind you and keep your driving record clean? BDISchool offers the fast, easy, and state-approved course you need.
