Florida BDI Course: Complete Guide for 2026

In Florida, traffic school goes by a different name: Basic Driver Improvement (BDI). It's the same concept — take a course, dismiss your ticket — but with Florida-specific rules.

Here's everything you need to know.

What is a BDI course?

BDI stands for Basic Driver Improvement. It's a 4-hour, DHSMV-approved course that Florida drivers can take to:

Dismiss a traffic ticket from their record
Prevent points from being added to their license
Avoid insurance increases by keeping the ticket hidden

Florida requires BDI courses to be exactly 4 hours. No shortcuts, no exceptions.

Who qualifies for a Florida BDI course?

You're eligible if:

You have a valid Florida driver's license
Your ticket is for a non-criminal traffic violation (speeding, red light, etc.)
You have not elected traffic school in the past 12 months
You elect BDI within 30 days of receiving the ticket
Your violation is not a school zone or construction zone violation (some counties exclude these)

Not sure if you qualify? Check your eligibility in 60 seconds.

30-day deadline

Florida gives you only 30 days from the date of your ticket to elect traffic school. Miss this window and you're stuck with the ticket on your record.

How to elect BDI in Florida

Option 1: Online (recommended)

Most Florida county clerks let you elect BDI through their website. Search for "[your county] Clerk of Court" and look for the traffic ticket section.

Option 2: By mail

Send a letter to your county's Clerk of Court requesting BDI. Include your citation number and contact info.

Option 3: In person

Visit the Clerk of Court office in the county where you received the ticket.

The Florida BDI course experience

Our DHSMV-approved BDI course includes:

Video lessons covering Florida traffic laws, defensive driving techniques, and road safety
Short quizzes after each section to keep you engaged
A final exam with 40 multiple-choice questions (you need 80% to pass)
Unlimited retakes if you don't pass on the first try

The whole thing takes exactly 4 hours. You can take breaks — your progress is saved — but the timer tracks active time. Most people start in the morning and finish by lunch.

What happens after you finish

Instant certificate — download it immediately after passing
Electronic reporting — we notify the DHSMV and your county clerk
Points withheld — the violation stays on your record but points are withheld
Insurance protected — with no points, your insurance shouldn't increase

Florida-specific detail

In Florida, the ticket doesn't fully disappear from your record. It shows up as "adjudication withheld" — meaning the court acknowledges the violation but withheld the penalty. Points are not added, and most insurance companies ignore adjudication-withheld violations.

Florida BDI costs

Item	Cost
Court election fee	Varies by county ($10-25)
BDI course (NoToTicket)	$39.99
Total	$35 - $50

vs. the $1,600+ you'd pay in insurance increases over 3 years.

Florida BDI FAQ

Can I do it on my phone? Yes. Fully mobile-friendly.

What if I fail the final exam? Unlimited free retakes. The exam is 40 questions, and you need 80% (32 correct).

How is completion reported? We electronically report to both the DHSMV and your county Clerk of Court.

Do all 67 Florida counties accept online BDI? Yes. Our course is DHSMV-approved and accepted in every Florida county.

What about a 12-hour ADI course? The ADI (Advanced Driver Improvement) course is for more serious situations, like court-ordered courses or drivers facing license suspension. BDI is for standard traffic ticket dismissal.

Related reading:

Ready to take your Florida BDI course?

Start Florida BDI — $39.99