Point Reduction in Florida

Determine Your “Course” of Action

Florida allows drivers to enroll in and complete a Basic Driver Improvement Course in order to avoid accumulating violation-related points on their driving record. “Violation-related points” are points the driver would have incurred per that particular traffic ticket.

For some drivers, avoiding these points means avoiding license suspension.

No Dismissed Traffic Tickets and Other Considerations

Florida will not dismiss your traffic ticket if you enroll in and successfully complete a Basic Driver Improvement Course; driving school only reduces the points you would have incurred due to the FL traffic ticket. You must still pay your traffic ticket fine.

Also note that:

• Driving school for point reduction is an option only for non-criminal moving violations. During situations when other types of more serious violations―such as car accidents, running red lights, and reckless driving― are involved, driving schools become options for keeping a FL driver’s license.
• You may only opt to enroll in driving school once every 12 months and five times in your lifetime.
• If applicable, your status as a safe driver is maintained after you complete driving school.
• Drivers with learner’s licenses must hold those licenses for 12 conviction-free months before applying for a regular Class E license; depending on the violation, it is possible for a learner’s license driver to avoid conviction by taking a Basic Driver Improvement Course.
• Florida CDL holders aren’t eligible for point reduction via a traffic school.

Complete a FL Driving Safety Course

To take advantage of traffic school, you must notify the court within 30 days of receiving your Florida traffic ticket, but prior to actually enrolling in the course.

Generally, drivers pay their traffic ticket fines at the same time they notify the court. In addition to your fine, you’ll also pay an election fee to the court.

Submit Requirements to the Court

The traffic school provider will notify the FL DMV of your course completion, but it’s up to you to notify the court. The time limit varies by court (for example, some courts require drivers to mail, fax, or deliver in person their completion certificates with 60 days of paying the traffic ticket―not completing the course).

Generally, the clerk will give you specific instructions on this when you pay your ticket and notify the court you want to enroll in traffic school; if you’re not sure of your county’s procedure, contact your Clerk of Court.

Check Your Florida Driving Record

It’s a good idea to check your Florida driving record after you complete traffic school. Not only do you want to make sure your record didn’t incur any points related to the violation, but you also want to make sure you’re in good standing in terms of avoiding license suspension. Accumulating a certain number of points within a specific time period makes you eligible for automatic license suspension.

Get an Auto Insurance Discount

Once you complete a Florida driving school course, your auto insurance provider is prohibited from increasing your auto insurance premium, and some providers even offer a discount.

Talk with your provider about the possibility of discounted car insurance premiums for taking the course, and be sure to hang on to your completion certificate, as most providers require these as proof.