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Got a Florida ticket? How the BDI course keeps points away

Elect a Basic Driver Improvement course within 30 days of a Florida ticket and no points are added. You can do it once every 12 months and five times in your life. CDL holders cannot.

DMVZone editorial · November 12, 2026 · 5 min read
Quick answer

In Florida you can elect a Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course for an eligible ticket instead of taking the points. You must choose it within 30 days of the ticket, pay the fine, and finish the course by the court's deadline. The option is limited to once every 12 months and five times in your lifetime.

Elect within
30 days of the ticket
How often
Once per 12 months
Lifetime limit
5 times
CDL holders
Not eligible
Four cars at an intersection with a stop sign on each approach, with white stop lines painted on the pavement in front of the cars.

Florida calls this electing traffic school. You still pay the ticket, but the court withholds adjudication, so the points never reach your record. Insurers generally see a clean record for that ticket, which is why the course is often worth more than the fine.

The four steps

  1. Within 30 days of the ticket, tell the clerk of court in the county where you got it that you elect the course.
  2. Pay the reduced fine and the clerk's fees. Unpaid fees lead to a suspension.
  3. Take a BDI course from a provider approved by FLHSMV. Most drivers take it online.
  4. Send proof of completion to the clerk before the court's deadline. Missing it also leads to a suspension.

Who cannot use it

Not eligible

  • Drivers with a commercial driver license (CDL)
  • Anyone who elected in the last 12 months
  • Anyone who has used it five times already

Not eligible tickets

  • Tickets that require a court appearance
  • Criminal traffic charges such as reckless driving or DUI

Missed the 30 days?

  • The option is gone and points are added
  • A judge may still order a course, but that is up to the court

Other Florida courses, and how they differ

CourseWho takes itWhy
Basic Driver Improvement (BDI)Drivers who elect it for a ticketAvoid points
Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI)Drivers suspended for points or as habitual offendersGet the license back
TLSAE (drug and alcohol course)First-time driversRequired before a first license
Mature Driver courseDrivers 55 and olderInsurance discount, usually for 3 years
Good to know

Before you pay for a course, make sure the provider is on FLHSMV's approved list. A certificate from an unapproved school will not count.

Check yourself3 questions

  1. How long do you have to elect a BDI course after a Florida ticket?

    Answer: B. You must elect the course within 30 days of the citation.

  2. How many times in your life can you elect BDI in Florida?

    Answer: C. Once every 12 months and no more than five times in a lifetime.

  3. Which course gives drivers 55 and older an insurance discount?

    Answer: D. The Mature Driver course certificate can earn a discount set by your insurer.

Fast answers

Does BDI remove points already on my record?

No. It only keeps the points from the ticket you elected it for off your record.

Can I take the BDI course online?

Yes. FLHSMV-approved providers offer it online, in the classroom and in some cases by video.

I have a CDL but got the ticket in my own car. Can I elect?

No. FLHSMV says the election is only for drivers who do not hold a commercial driver license.

Official sources

Checked against these pages on November 12, 2026. Laws change, so open the source before you rely on a number.

Rules and fees change. Always confirm the details with the official Florida DMV or motor vehicle agency before you act. DMVZone practice questions are written to teach the rules and are not copies of the real test.

Keep your curiosity moving.

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