Florida Traffic School Eligibility — four checks, one deadline.
You can elect traffic school if all four checks are true. No election in the past 12 months. Lifetime elections remaining (Florida allows 8). No Commercial Driver License. And you tell the Clerk of Court within 30 days of your citation. Pass the checks, elect, finish the course — and the points never touch your record.
The eligibility gate
Four green checks and the election is yours to make. The fourth is the one drivers actually miss.
What are the four Florida traffic school eligibility checks?
Answer each one and the outcome that applies to you is highlighted. Nothing is hidden either way — both results stay on the page, because you should be able to read the whole rule without clicking anything.
The 12-month rule
Florida lets you elect traffic school once in any 12-month window. Elected for a ticket ten months ago? Then you can’t elect for this one. On close calls, the clerk’s records settle it — not your memory.
How many times can you take traffic school in Florida?
Eight elections, ever. Florida law sets that number (F.S. 318.14(9)), not any school. Most drivers never get near the cap. On number 7? Use it with care. After number 8, there are no more.
The hard exclusions
Three things rule out an election. You hold a CDL or a commercial learner’s permit. Your ticket is criminal, like DUI, reckless driving or leaving the scene. Or your ticket is for speeding 30 mph or more over the limit (F.S. 318.14(9)). Election is for non-criminal moving violations only. No course anywhere changes these rules.
The 30-day deadline
Tell the Clerk of Court you’re electing within 30 days of your citation. This is the check drivers actually fail. Not by being ineligible — by deciding late. Here’s exactly how to elect.
Unsure on any check? Your county Clerk of Court can confirm eligibility in minutes — before you pay us or anyone. Cited for a handheld phone in a school or work zone? That ticket takes the WCD course, not BDI.
What happens when you are eligible and elect traffic school?
Adjudication withheld
The eligible violation is withheld from adjudication. In plain words: points aren’t assessed to your license. That’s the entire legal point of electing.
A possible fine reduction
You still pay the civil penalty and any election fee. But electing an approved course may reduce the civil penalty by up to 18%. State law sets that cut, and your clerk applies it.
Automatic court notification
For elected cases, we file your completion with FLHSMV electronically. FLHSMV then notifies your court automatically — typically the next business day. Nothing to mail.
Eligibility, Answered
Florida traffic school eligibility FAQ
Who is eligible for traffic school in Florida?
Most Florida drivers with a non-criminal moving violation. Four things must be true. You haven't elected traffic school in the past 12 months. You have lifetime elections remaining (Florida allows 8). You don't hold a Commercial Driver License. And you tell the Clerk of Court you're electing within 30 days of your citation. Clear all four, and electing the Basic Driver Improvement course keeps the points off your record.
Do I have 30 days from the ticket to decide?
Yes. The election window is 30 days from your citation. It belongs to the Clerk of Court, not to any traffic school. Miss it and the option is gone for that ticket, no matter what a website says. The clerk's contact information is printed on your citation. And the clerk always has the final say on eligibility.
Does my ticket type matter?
Yes. Election is for non-criminal moving violations. A criminal charge is a different track. DUI, reckless driving and leaving the scene are examples. No traffic school election applies there. A ticket for speeding 30 mph or more over the limit is also ruled out by Florida law. Not sure what you are holding? The citation says, and your county Clerk of Court can confirm in minutes.
What do I actually get if I'm eligible and elect?
The eligible violation is withheld from adjudication, and no points are assessed to your license. That's the legal payoff, and it's why the election limits exist. You still pay the civil penalty and any county election fee. But electing an approved course may reduce the civil penalty by up to 18%. State law sets that cut (F.S. 318.14(9)), and your clerk applies it.
I'm eligible — what's the next step?
Notify your Clerk of Court that you're electing, within the 30 days. Pay the civil penalty and election fee. Then finish the FLHSMV-approved course by the deadline on your election paperwork. Our 4-hour BDI course is $24.95 all-inclusive. For elected cases, your completion is filed with FLHSMV electronically. The state notifies your court automatically — typically the next business day.
Four green checks? Don’t let the 30 days run.
Elect with your clerk, then knock out the 4-hour course — $24.95 all-inclusive, filed with FLHSMV electronically. Here is who files what once you finish.