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Driver Improvement Courses Frequently Asked Questions

May I choose to attend a Driver Improvement course online?

You may choose an online course to complete your class requirements. You may come to the Clerk's office in the county where you received the citation or if the officer provided you with an envelope at the time you were cited for the violation, you may use it to indicate your intention to attend a driver improvement course. Read the affidavit attached to the envelope carefully.

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Who may choose to attend a Driver Improvement course?

Any person charged with a moving or non-moving traffic violation that would result in points being assessed to the driving record, may choose to attend a driver improvement course.

Exclusions:
• All criminal violations
• CDL drivers who are charged with serious traffic violations while in their commercial motor vehicle
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What is the benefit of attending a driver improvement course?

Attending a driver improvement course to satisfy the violation will be entered on your driver record as an "adjudication withheld." In other words:

• no points will be assessed against your driver license,
• the civil penalty will be reduced by 18 percent and
• your insurance company cannot impose an additional premium or refuse to renew a policy for motor vehicle insurance solely because the insured committed a non-criminal traffic infraction with the exceptions of a second infraction within 18 months, a third infraction in 36 months, or exceeding the speed limit by more than 15 mph.
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Do I have to pay the civil fine when I attend a driver improvement course?

Yes, the civil penalty is reduced by 18 percent as required by law. For the exact cost of the civil penalty, contact the Traffic Division of the Clerk of Court in the county where you received your citation.


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How can I choose to attend a driver improvement course?

You may choose an online course to complete your class requirements. You may come to the Clerk's office in the county where you received the citation or if the officer provided you with an envelope at the time you were cited for the violation, you may use it to indicate your intention to attend a driver improvement course. Read the affidavit attached to the envelope carefully.

Within 30 calendar days of the date your ticket was issued, complete the affidavit, have your signature notarized and return the affidavit to the Clerk's office in the county where you received your citation. Mail the affidavit early enough to ensure it is received in the Clerk's office within the 30 calendar days.

Check with the Clerk's office in the county where you received your citation to see if the civil penalty accompanies the election affidavit. You will have between 60 and 90 days from the date of the ticket to complete an approved course and submit the completion certificate to the traffic division of the Clerk's office.

For exact information, consult the traffic division in the Clerk's office where you received your citation. (In the phone book, look under your county government listing for Clerk of the Court.)


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Do I have to pay to attend a driver improvement course?

Yes, the cost ranges between $30.00 and $50.00


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Do I need anything else after I attend a driver improvement course?

Yes, you must present the completion certificate to the Clerk's office in the county where you received your citation. Please consult with the traffic division in the Clerk's office in the county where your received your citation for their exact requirements.


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Can I change my mind after I sign the affidavit to attend a driver improvement course?

No. Once you notify the clerk of your intention to attend a course, you have between 60 and 90 days from the date of the citation to complete the course and present proof of completion. Please consult with the traffic division in the Clerk's office in the county where your received your citation for their exact requirements.


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What happens if I choose to attend and do not?

A person who chooses to attend a driver improvement course and has paid the civil penalty, but fails to attend the school within the time specified by the court shall be deemed to have admitted the infraction and shall be adjudicated guilty. In this case, the person must pay the clerk of the court the 18 percent deducted because of the election to attend a course and a $10 processing fee. No additional penalties, court costs or surcharges will be imposed. The clerk of court notifies the department of the person's failure to attend the driver improvement course and points for the violation are added to the individual's driving record.


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How many times can I choose to attend a driver improvement course?

You can choose to attend a driver improvement course only once in any 12-month period and no more than five times in your lifetime.


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Where can I get more information about choosing to attend a driver improvement course?

You may choose an online course to complete your class requirements. To locate an approved on-line basic driver improvement course, please use your web browser to search the Internet, refer to your local telephone directory, or contact the course providers listed below. The following is a list of approved course providers. Those providers who are approved to offer their course statewide may or may not offer schools in your area. Call to locate a school near you. For the specific requirements, please contact the traffic division of the Clerk's office in the county where you received your citation. (In the phone book, look under your county government listing for Clerk of the Court.) A listing of driver improvement schools is also available in your local telephone directory, under "driving instruction".



Basic Driver Improvement Course Providers:

Type of School	Name	Location	Phone
Online Internet School	eStateTrafficSchool.com	Statewide	eStateTrafficSchool.com
Online Internet School	eComedyTrafficSchool.com	Statewide	eComedyTrafficSchool.com
Online Internet School	CheaperTrafficSchool.com	Statewide	CheaperTrafficSchool.com
Traditional Brick and Mortar	Absolute Traffic Academy	Statewide	800-771-2255
Traditional Brick and Mortar	Accident Prevention Academy	Statewide	561-731-0304
Traditional Brick and Mortar	Advanced Driving Skills Institute	Statewide	800-327-6781
Traditional Brick and Mortar	American Safety Institute	Statewide	800-800-7121
Traditional Brick and Mortar	Drive One	Statewide	888-872-3342
Traditional Brick and Mortar	Drive Safe Florida	Statewide	800-771-2255
Traditional Brick and Mortar	Driver Training Associates	Statewide	800-222-9199
Traditional Brick and Mortar	Improv Comedy Traffic Schools of Florida	Statewide	888-889-9604
Traditional Brick and Mortar	National Safety Council	Statewide	800-237-0676
Traditional Brick and Mortar	National Traffic Safety Institute	Statewide	800-654-6874
Traditional Brick and Mortar	South Florida Safety Program	Dade	305-255-7118
Traditional Brick and Mortar	USA Training Company	Statewide	850-566-3223

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If I live in a county different than the one where I got my citation, what do I do?

Contact the traffic division of the Clerk's office in the county where you received your citation for their specific requirements.


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If I choose to attend a driver improvement course and do not attend, does this count as one of the five times I am allowed to choose this option?

Yes. Once the affidavit has been signed and recorded by the court you may not choose the school option again for 12 months and all monies are forfeited.


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Where can I find information on where to attend an approved driver improvement course?

You may choose an online course to complete your class requirements. You can look in your local telephone directory for a listing of driving improvement schools, under "driving instruction".


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Are procedures and fees the same in all Florida counties?

No. Each county has its own procedures for this process. If you have any questions, contact the traffic division in the Clerk's office in the county where you received the citation.

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What are reasons for attending basic driver improvement school?

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 $50.

If you receive a ticket for a non-criminal moving violation, 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. Note: this discount is solely at the discretion of your insurance company.


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Why would I elect to attend traffic school?

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 canceled 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, safe driver status is maintained if applicable, and the fine is reduced by 18%. 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 their lifetime.
   

Within 30 days from the date your 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 then 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, please use your web browser to search the Internet, 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 J+OB options within 30 days of receiving the citation.

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How are points calculated?

If you choose to pay the civil penalty or are adjudicated guilty by a judge, your driver record will be assessed as follows:

Moving Violations	3 points
Speeding 15 m.p.h or less over posted speed	3 points
Speeding more than 15 m.p.h. over posted speeds	4 points
Passing stopped school bus	4 points
Moving violation (non-speeding) resulting in an crash	4 points
Unlawful speed resulting in a crash	6 points
Reckless driving (criminal traffic violation)	4 points
Leaving scene of crash with damage	6 points
Littering	3 points
Violation of child restraint laws	3 points

If you accumulate:



• 12 points in 12 months, your license will be suspended for 30 days;
• 18 points within 18 months results in a 90-day suspension;
• 24 points within 36 months results in a one-year suspension.

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What special conditions apply to drivers who are 15-17 years old?

If you are driving with a Florida learner’s license, you must hold it for at least 12 months without a traffic conviction before you may apply for an operator’s license. You may avoid conviction by electing to attend and completing a basic driver improvement course approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

If you are driving with a Florida learner’s license or a Florida operator’s license and you receive 4 points, you are restricted to driving for business purposes only for 12 months or until you reach the age of 18. Restriction time is increased if additional points are accumulated. You may avoid conviction by electing to attend and completing a basic driver improvement course approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

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The Law Office of W.F. "Casey" Ebsary, Jr., Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer