By the Ticket Dismissal HQ editorial teamReviewed Sep 18, 2026Sources cited at the endNot legal advice
“Florida traffic school” means the 4-hour Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. You take it after electing it with the clerk of court, and it keeps points off your license. It’s also the course insurers accept for a discount and the one FLHSMV assigns after certain violations. Here’s what it involves, what it should cost, and which online course to take.
Quick answer
- Length: 4 hours by law, online and self-paced.
- Cost: roughly $8–$35 for the course plus the state’s certificate processing fee; there’s no statutory minimum, so shop on price.
- Approval: the school must be on FLHSMV’s approved BDI list; all approved online courses are accepted by every county clerk.
- Before you enroll: elect the course with the clerk within 30 days of the ticket. How.
- Our pick: DefensiveDriving.com, $8 plus state fee, with a $250 ticket guarantee.
DefensiveDriving.com Our pick
$8 + state fee- FLHSMV-approved 4-hour Basic Driver Improvement course, accepted by every Florida clerk of court
- $8 course price plus the state certificate processing fee; shortest course allowed by law
- Completion reported to the state; certificate mailed (FedEx available)
- Guarantee: they pay your ticket (up to $250) if the court refuses the certificate
- Online since 2000; 114,000+ reviews averaging 4.7/5
We may earn a commission if you enroll through this link, at no extra cost to you. How we make money.
The three Florida driver improvement courses
| Course | Length | When |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Driver Improvement (BDI), “traffic school” | 4 hours | Elected after a ticket to avoid points; ordered by a court; required after certain violations (e.g., running a red light, passing a school bus, crash with injury); voluntary for an insurance discount |
| Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) | 12 hours | Required for a hardship license after a suspension or as a habitual traffic offender. ADI guide. |
| Traffic Law & Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) | 4 hours | First-time license applicants; not a ticket course |
What the BDI course covers
FLHSMV sets the curriculum: Florida traffic law, crash causes and avoidance, aggressive and distracted driving, impaired driving, and defensive techniques. Courses are timed to 4 hours; you can log out and resume, and there’s a short final exam you can retake. On completion the school files your certificate electronically with the clerk of the county you elected in (and with FLHSMV), which is why most drivers never handle paper.
Choosing a course
- FLHSMV approval. Non-negotiable. Search FLHSMV’s approved BDI provider list or look for the school’s approval number on its site.
- Price. Unlike Texas there’s no state-set minimum, so prices run from about $8 to $35 for the same 4 hours. Watch for “processing,” “certificate” and “rush” fees stacked on a low headline price.
- Electronic reporting. Every approved school must report to the clerk; the difference is how fast. Ask before you buy if your deadline is close.
- Guarantee. Only some providers will pay your ticket if a court rejects the certificate. DefensiveDriving.com does (up to $250).
Florida traffic school for an insurance discount
Florida law (§627.0652) requires insurers to give a discount to drivers 55 and older who complete an approved motor vehicle accident-prevention course, for three years. Many insurers extend a discount to younger drivers voluntarily. The 4-hour BDI course qualifies with most carriers; some prefer a “mature driver” version. Ask your insurer which course and how much before enrolling.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Florida traffic school?
Four hours for the Basic Driver Improvement course. The 12-hour ADI course is a different, court- or FLHSMV-mandated program.
Is Florida traffic school online legit?
Yes, as long as the provider is on FLHSMV’s approved list. Online courses have the same standing as classroom ones.
How much does Florida traffic school cost?
Course fees range from about $8 to $35 plus a state processing fee, on top of the reduced civil penalty you pay the clerk.
Can I take traffic school to remove points in Florida?
Only for the ticket you elect it on, and only if you elect within 30 days. It doesn’t remove points already assessed.
Sources: Florida Statutes §§318.14, 322.0261, 627.0652; FLHSMV driver improvement course information. We earn a commission on some links; it doesn’t affect our recommendations. Editorial policy.