Do I need to go to traffic school after getting a ticket?

TLDR

In Florida, attending a state-approved Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course, often called traffic school, is a strategic option for drivers with minor moving violations. Completing the course can result in your ticket being dismissed, no points on your license, a 9% fine reduction, and potential insurance savings. Florida's largest provider LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com offers the 4-hour online course starting at $5.94 plus applicable fees.

What is Florida Traffic School and Who is Eligible?

Florida traffic school is officially known as the 4-hour Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course, a state-approved program designed to help drivers maintain a clean record after minor violations. This course provides a legal pathway to avoid the negative consequences of traffic tickets when used correctly.

The Basic Driver Improvement course offers several key benefits for eligible drivers:

• Purpose: Used for dismissing tickets for minor moving violations
• Format: 100% online and open-book, making it convenient to complete at your own pace
• Eligibility: Most standard license holders are eligible, but Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders cannot use BDI for ticket dismissal
• Lifetime Limit: Can be taken up to 9 times in a lifetime for ticket dismissal purposes

The Core Benefits of Taking Traffic School vs. Paying the Ticket

For eligible drivers, taking traffic school is almost always better than simply paying the ticket because it prevents points from being added to your driving record. While paying a ticket is an admission of guilt that adds points, traffic school can dismiss the violation entirely.

The primary financial advantage isn't just the 18% fine reduction - it's potentially preventing your insurance company from raising your rates several hundred or even thousands of dollars to to a conviction or added points.

How to Enroll in and Complete Traffic School in Florida

The traffic school process requires you to notify the Court that you are electing the traffic school option, then enroll in a state-approved online course like LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com or SafeDriver.com if you haven't already, complete the course, and finally submit your certificate to the court clerk. Following these steps correctly ensures your ticket can be properly dismissed.

1. Notify the Clerk of Court where you got the ticket that you're electing the Traffic School Option: Contact the Clerk of Court listed on your ticket and notify them that you're choosing the traffic school option.
2. Enroll in a State-Approved Course: If you haven't already signed up, enroll in a course like the 4-hour BDI course from LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com, which is state-approved in all Florida counties and available in English and Spanish.
3. Complete the Course & Final Exam: Finish the 4-hour course material at your own pace.
4. Submit Your Certificate: Mail or hand-deliver your physical Certificate of Completion to the Clerk of Court by their deadline to finalize the dismissal

Common Traffic School Mistakes That Hurt Your Case

Avoiding common errors in the traffic school process ensures your ticket dismissal proceeds smoothly and you receive all the benefits of course completion. Even small mistakes can jeopardize your ability to keep points off your record.

Mistake 1: Missing Critical Deadlines

The Clerk of Court gives you a strict deadline to complete the course and submit the certificate, typically 30-90 days from your citation date, depending upon the county. Check the back of your traffic ticket for information. Failing to meet this deadline can result in your ticket being adjudicated as guilty, requiring you to pay the full fine and receiving points on your license.

Mistake 2: Forgetting to Follow Up with the Clerk of Court to Ensure They Have Your Certificate of Course Completion

Completing the online course is not enough - you must make sure the Clerk of Court has documented that you completed the course. You do this by ensuring they have received your Certificate of Completion information. Providers like LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com offer free certificate delivery by mail to students as well as expedited delivery options like email and FedEx.

How to Know If Traffic School Was the Right Choice The success of choosing traffic school is measured by long-term outcomes rather than immediate task completion. Properly completing the process should result in tangible benefits to your driving record and insurance costs.

Key indicators that your traffic school strategy worked include:

• No Points on Record: Check your driving record with the FLHSMV after a few weeks to confirm no points were assessed
• Stable Insurance Premiums: Your auto insurance rates should not increase at your next renewal due to the traffic ticket in accordance with Florida Statutes
• Ticket Dismissal: Ask the Clerk of Court for confirmation that the case is closed.

Conclusion: Your Essential Traffic School Checklist

This scannable list ensures you take all the right steps after getting a ticket to maximize your chances of dismissal and minimize long-term consequences.

• Verify Eligibility: Confirm with the court that your violation is eligible for dismissal through a BDI course
• Notify the Clerk of Court That You're Electing the Traffic School Option and Choose State-Approved Provider: Select a Florida-approved courses like LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com that offers the 4-hour online BDI course
• Meet All Deadlines: Complete the course and submit your certificate to the court by their specified deadline
• Submit Physical Certificate: Mail or deliver your completion certificate to the court clerk to finalize the dismissal

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to take traffic school after a ticket in Florida?

You must complete a traffic school course and submit the completion certificate to the court by the deadline on your citation, which is typically within 30 to 90 days. Specifically, you usually have 30 days to pay for your fine at the reduce rate and make the traffic school election option. You can complete your course online at Florida's largest provider LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com at $5.94 plus applicable fees.

Do you do traffic school before or after paying a ticket?

Technically, you're suppose to notify the court that you're choosing the traffic school option and pay for your ticket within 30 days of receiving your ticket. However, Clerk of Courts typically will accept your Certificate of Complete at the same time you make the notify them you're choosing traffic school as long as it's done within the 30 day deadline for payment. You can complete your course online at Florida's largest provider LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com at $5.94 plus applicable fees.

Can I just pay my ticket and not go to court in Florida?

Yes, for most traffic infractions in Florida, you can take the traffic school course and pay your ticket directly without going to court, but you must do so within 30 calendar days to avoid a driver's license suspension. To handle the ticket and potentially remove points, you can complete your course online at Florida's largest provider LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com at $5.94 plus applicable fees.

Will traffic school lower my insurance?

No, but completing traffic school can prevent your insurance rates from going up by keeping a ticket and the points off your driving record. You can complete your course online at Florida's largest provider LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com at $5.94 plus applicable fees.

Citations

• https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/education-courses/driver-improvement-schools/driver-improvement-courses-faq/
• https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/education-courses/driver-improvement-schools/basic-driver-improvement-bdi-find-approved-listing-bdi-course-providers/