Traffic School

Traffic school, also known as a defensive driving course, is an educational program designed to improve the knowledge and skills of drivers. In Florida, traffic school is often used for specific purposes such as fulfilling court requirements, avoiding points on a driving record, or obtaining insurance discounts. There are different types of traffic school programs in Florida, including basic driver improvement (BDI) courses and advanced driver improvement (ADI) courses.

Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) Course: BDI courses are commonly taken for the following reasons:

1. Court-Ordered: In some cases, a judge may order a driver to attend traffic school as part of a sentence or to avoid additional penalties. When the court orders a driver to attend traffic school, it does NOT count as one of the lifetime elections.

2. Avoiding Points: Drivers may elect to attend BDI voluntarily to avoid having points assessed on their driving record after receiving certain traffic citations.

3. Insurance Discounts: Completing a BDI course voluntarily may also make a driver eligible for insurance premium discounts.

   
   

Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) Course: ADI courses are typically required for more serious traffic violations or offenses. Individuals who are classified as Habitual Traffic Offenders (HTO) may be required to complete an ADI course as a condition for reinstating their driver's license.

Eligibility and Requirements: Eligibility for traffic school and specific requirements vary depending on the nature of the violation, the court's decision, or the individual's driving history. It's important to check with the court or the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) for details relevant to a particular situation.  In order to be eligible to elect traffic school, you must:

• Have not elected traffic school within the last 12 months

• Have not elected traffic school 5 times within your lifetime

• Not have a Commercial Driver’s License or Commercial Learner’s Permit

If you are considering attending traffic school in Florida, it's advisable to confirm the eligibility criteria, choose an approved provider, and ensure that the course meets the requirements for your specific situation. 

If you have questions about traffic school, contact Howeller Law, P.L.L.C. today.  Consultations are always free.