What is the Purpose of the Florida BDI?

The information below applies to:

Florida Basic Driver Improvement (BDI/TCAC)

How do you benefit from taking the Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course?

Have you been assigned by the court to take a driver improvement course? Perhaps you received a traffic ticket in the state of Florida and you want to avoid having the points show up on your permanent driving record. Or perhaps you were involved in more than two collisions in a period of two years.

If that’s your situation, this Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course is just what you need! We make it easy for you to fulfill the state requirements – with our Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course you can take the complete course online. Our course is 100% state approved and licensed, so you can be assured you’ll be taking a professional, high-quality course.

Free and Available for Miami Dade County

For a limited time, our BDI course is offered only to Miami Dade County and it is 100% free. There are no hidden fees.  Why is it free? We need several thousand persons who received citations in Miami-Dade County to take our course online before we can offer it statewide. By taking our course, you help us reach our goal faster, which is why we are offering it FREE for you.  For more information visit our course page here. 

How does this Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course help you to remove points from your permanent driving record?

As a driver, you are naturally concerned about having points show up on your permanent driving record. After all, those points can have consequences, including increased insurance rates. For most drivers who receive a non-criminal moving violation, there's no reason for those points to stay on their permanent record. That’s why the state of Florida makes it possible to get those points removed by taking a driver improvement course. That’s a relief to you as a driver, and we’re here to help you get those points removed in the most effective way possible.

Who is eligible for the Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course?

Since this course is just for those who have received a moving violation, not everyone can take it. How do you know if you’re eligible to get points taken off your public driving record? If you have been cited for a non-criminal moving violation, have a non-commercial driver license, and have not taken a driver safety course over the past year, you’re in a position to take the Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course. You may choose to take the course if you were involved in a traffic accident that was your responsibility and in which someone was hurt. You can also take this course if you were involved in more than two collisions over a period of two years.

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) office will probably contact you if you are eligible to take the school. However, you can also contact the Clerk of Court in the county where you received the moving violation to see if they will give you permission to attend a Driver Improvement Course. Keep in mind that, even though you take a Traffic Violator School, you may still have to pay a fine for the driving infraction.

What will you learn in the Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course?

The four-hour course is 100% online. Those hours will fly by as you study in the comfort of your home or any other place you choose. You’ll learn safety-related tips that will help you become a better, safer driver. The course helps you to be even more alert and aware behind the wheel. That means you'll be less likely to get into accidents, which protects you and your loved ones as well as other drivers on the road.

During the course, you will review traffic laws and highway safety. Another important way to be a safe driver is to understand the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The course will help you clearly see the responsibility that all drivers share of making the roads safer.

You’ll also learn about the practical driving skills that will keep you safe in almost any driving situation. For instance, having a working knowledge of state traffic laws will help you avoid dangerous situations on the road. Recognizing Florida traffic signs helps you be prepared to react quickly, which can help reduce accidents. And you’ll learn what to do when you face hazards on the road or need to deal with emergencies that may come up.

Why is this Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course the best option for you?

Here at the National Highway Safety Administration, we make it easy for you to learn. We know you have a busy schedule and your days are filled with many activities. That’s why we designed this course with entertaining videos and animations, which makes the course information easy to understand.

We also made it easy for you to study whenever you have free time, whether during in short periods or over longer study sessions. You have complete control over the length of each study session; you could complete the course in one day or study for short periods of time over several days. If you’re a fast learner, you could even finish the course in less time. You can stop the course at whatever point you want and come back to the course material easily – we’ll even save your place for you. A classroom course doesn’t offer that kind of flexibility, but our online course does.  

This course prepares you with all the information you need to satisfy the requirements of the state of Florida. At the end of this course, you will take – and pass! – the final exam, which is included in this course. Make sure you finish the course before the completion date the court set for you. After you pass the final exam we will send the completion certificate directly to the DHSMV. That’s right, you don’t even have to worry about that step – it’s included for free in this course.

There is one more important step to keep in mind. After the court notifies you that the ticket has been dismissed, take a few minutes to check your driving record just to make sure that the court gave you the proper credit for taking the Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course.

Additionally, if you’re interested in receiving a discount on your insurance, you can get in touch with your insurance provider and ask if you are eligible for a discount on your insurance rates. Simply follow their instructions and enjoy the discount!