Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course
Overseen by Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
- What it does
When a driver chooses the course, adjudication is withheld, the civil penalty is reduced by 18 percent and points may not be assessed.
What the source says
“In such a case, adjudication must be withheld, any civil penalty that is imposed by s. 318.18(3) must be reduced by 18 percent, and points, as provided by s. 322.27, may not be assessed.”
Section 318.14, Florida Statutes (2026): Noncriminal traffic infractions, read October 7, 2026
Florida law allows, but does not require, insurers to give a premium reduction when the vehicle's main driver has completed a driver improvement course approved and certified by the Department.
What the source says
“may provide for an appropriate reduction in premium charges as to such coverages when the principal operator on the covered vehicle has successfully completed a driver improvement course approved and certified by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles”
Section 627.06501, Florida Statutes (2026): Insurance discounts for certain persons completing driver improvement course, read October 7, 2026
The insurance discount law does not apply when the driver improvement course is taken in place of a court appearance for a traffic infraction.
What the source says
“(4) This section does not apply if the driver improvement course is taken in lieu of a court appearance for a traffic infraction as provided for in s. 318.14(9).”
Section 627.06501, Florida Statutes (2026): Insurance discounts for certain persons completing driver improvement course, read October 7, 2026
- Who can take it
A driver who gets a non-criminal moving violation and does not hold a commercial driver license may choose to attend an FLHSMV-approved basic driver improvement school once every 12 months, up to a total of eight times in a lifetime.
What the source says
“If a driver receives a non-criminal moving violation and does not have a commercial driver license, they may elect to attend a FLHSMV-approved basic driver improvement school once every 12 months or a total of eight times within their lifetime.”
FLHSMV: Driver Improvement Schools, read October 7, 2026
- Course length
Under Florida's rule on Basic Driver Improvement course approval, the course must have at least four hours of course content, less up to thirty minutes of breaks.
What the source says
“(b) The course is conducted with a minimum of four (4) hours devoted to course content minus a maximum of thirty (30) minutes allotted for breaks.”
Chapter 15A-8, Florida Administrative Code: Driver Improvement Schools (Florida Department of State), read October 7, 2026
- Taking it online
The Department approves and regulates the courses of all driver improvement schools, including courses that use technology as a delivery method.
What the source says
“(1) The department shall approve and regulate the courses of all driver improvement schools, as the courses relate to ss. 318.14(9), 322.0261, and 322.291, including courses that use technology as a delivery method.”
Section 318.1451, Florida Statutes (2026): Driver improvement schools, read October 7, 2026
- How often
A driver may not choose the course if they chose it in the preceding 12 months, and may not choose it more than eight times in a lifetime.
What the source says
“However, a person may not make an election under this subsection if the person has made an election under this subsection in the preceding 12 months. A person may not make more than eight elections within his or her lifetime under this subsection.”
Section 318.14, Florida Statutes (2026): Noncriminal traffic infractions, read October 7, 2026
- Deadline
Drivers must choose basic driver improvement school within 30 days of the traffic citation; otherwise the right to choose school is lost and points are assessed.
What the source says
“Drivers must voluntarily elect to attend basic driver improvement school within 30 days of the traffic citation. If an election is not made, their right to elect school is forfeited and points are assessed.”
FLHSMV: Driver Improvement Schools, read October 7, 2026
- Certificate
Course providers report approved school completions to FLHSMV electronically; FLHSMV asks drivers to allow 24 to 72 hours for a completion to be posted.
What the source says
“All course providers electronically report all Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)-approved school completions to the FLHSMV. Please allow 24 to 72 hours for school completions to be posted.”
FLHSMV: Driver Improvement Schools, read October 7, 2026
- Who approves it
Driver improvement courses taught in Florida must be approved by FLHSMV.
What the source says
“In order to open a school to teach driver improvement courses commonly referred to as “traffic school” in Florida, courses are to be approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).”
FLHSMV: How Do I Start a Traffic School?, read October 7, 2026
- Good to know
On top of the regular course fee, the school collects a $2.50 assessment fee from each person who chooses to attend a course.
What the source says
“(4) In addition to a regular course fee, an assessment fee in the amount of $2.50 shall be collected by the school from each person who elects to attend a course, as it relates to ss. 318.14(9), 322.0261, 322.291, and 627.06501.”
Section 318.1451, Florida Statutes (2026): Driver improvement schools, read October 7, 2026
Each Florida county has its own procedures; drivers with questions should contact the traffic division of the clerk's office in the county where the citation was issued.
What the source says
“Each county has its own procedures for this process. If a driver has any questions, they should contact the traffic division in the clerk’s office in the county where the citation was issued.”
FLHSMV: Driver Improvement Courses FAQ, read October 7, 2026
In Florida this same course is also used for defensive driving.