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Driving and Education Course Schools in Florida
  NO PAPER CERTIFICATES ACCEPTED AT DRIVER LICENSE OFFICES
Since April 2005, convenient on-line reporting lets traffic schools automatically report course completions to DHSMV so the Driver License offices can view students who successfully complete Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE), Basic Driver Improvement (BDI, TCAC, Red Light), Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI), and license exams (road rules or road signs) offered by an approved provider.

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Course Type Description
   
3-in-3 Driver Change Course Three Crashes in Three Years Law:
  • Effective January 1, 2010, section 322.0261(1)(c) requires that if you were convicted of, or plead nolo contendre to, your third traffic offense that caused a crash within 36 months, you must complete a department approved driver improvement course that includes behind-the-wheel training and an assessment of your driving ability.
  • The department notifies you of this requirement based on a qualifying third at-fault crash occurring on or after January 1, 2010.
  • The notification directs you to complete the course within 90 days to avoid driver license cancellation.
What you must do to avoid driver license cancellation:
Advanced Driver Improvement Courses If your driver license was suspended in the state of Florida for points or as a habitual traffic offender (non-DUI related), or by court order, you must complete an advanced driver improvement course.

Note: If you hold a Florida driver license and receive a ticket for a moving violation in Arizona, the state of Arizona may withhold adjudication if you complete a state-approved advanced driver improvement course.

Basic Driver Improvement/Collision Avoidance Course You must complete a basic driver improvement course (Traffic Collision Avoidance Course) if you want to retain your driver license in the following circumstance:
    • You were a driver in a crash and are found at fault and
      • someone was transported to the hospital or
      • you had two crashes in a two-year period, which resulted in property damage greater than $500.
    • Passed a stopped school bus
    • Highway Racing
    • Highway Racing - Spectator
    • Reckless Driving
    • Running a red light

If you receive a ticket for a non-criminal moving violation, and you do not hold a commercial driver license, you may elect to attend a basic driver improvement course in lieu of points on your driving record.

In some cases, you may choose to attend a basic driver improvement course to receive insurance discounts. This discount is solely at the discretion of your insurance company.

Electing to Attend Traffic School
Drivers with a Class A, B, or C license may not make an election under this subsection.

If, as a result of a moving violation, you elect to attend and complete a basic driver improvement course, you will receive the following benefits:

  1. Your insurance rates cannot go up and your policy cannot be cancelled because of this violation, unless this involved a crash where you were at fault.
  2. Points may not be added to your driver license record, adjudication of guilt is withheld, and safe driver status is maintained if applicable. You may not make an election under this subsection if you have made this election in the preceding 12 months. A person may make no more than five elections in a lifetime.

Within 30 days from the date you received the traffic citation and prior to attending class, you must:

  1. inform the Clerk of Court in the county where you received the citation that you want to go to traffic school, and
  2. pay an election fee to the Clerk of Court in the county where you received the citation.

You may contact the traffic school of your choice to register for class. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles must approve the course. Traffic schools are listed in your local telephone directory under "driving instruction" or "traffic schools." Approved course providers are also listed below. To locate an approved on-line basic driver improvement course, refer to your local telephone directory, or contact the course providers listed below.

A full list of your options for satisfying your traffic citation is on the back of the citation. You are required to choose one of the three options within 30 days of receiving the citation.
Behind the Wheel Training Commercial Driving Schools Providing Behind the Wheel Training
Courses-Insurance Discount In some cases, you may choose to attend a basic driver improvement course to receive insurance discounts. This discount is solely at the discretion of your insurance company.
Driver License Exams Driver license exams (road rules or road signs) are also available from providers approved by the Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The on-line service is available to students under 18 years of age. Students of all ages may take the exams with a provider who offers the exams in an in-person setting.

IMPORTANT: There is a license issuance fee associated with the actual issuance of the learners license whether the exams are taken at the Driver License or Tax Collector’s office or via one of the approved providers.

No additional certificates needed! Once you complete a Driver License Exam through an approved provider your completion information is automatically submitted to our department and this information is available at all Driver License Offices! Paper certificates are no longer required at the driver license office.
DUI Programs The Bureau of Motorist Compliance provides the oversight for 26 licensed programs. The Bureau administers Rule 15A-10, F.A.C., including instructor certification and training, investigating complaints, processing client appeals, conducting site visits, maintaining quality assurance, coordinating trust fund, and evaluating programs' effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions Driver Improvement Courses - Frequently Asked Questions
Mature Driver/Insurance Discount Courses COURSES APPROVED FOR THE PURPOSES OF SECTION 627.0652, FLORIDA STATUTES
SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT INSURANCE COURSES
Requirements to Open a Commercial Driving School Requirements to open a Commercial Driving School and requirements for becoming a certified instructor.
Traffic Law & Substance Abuse Education Course Schools
 If you have never held a regular driver license in any state, country, or jurisdiction, you must complete a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course before applying for a temporary driving permit (restricted driver license) in the state of Florida. The driver education courses offered by some county school boards may substitute for this requirement. Please contact your local school board for further information.

If you are under 21 years old and receive a notice of suspension for driving with a BAL of .02 to .05, you must complete a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course in order to reinstate your driver license on a hardship basis.


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