Short Answer
Yes. The Florida 4-Hour Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) final exam is open book. You may review your course materials while taking the test, and many students keep the course content open in a second tab or window during the exam.
What “Open Book” Means
You are free to reference the course lessons while answering exam questions.
You can open the course in a new browser tab or even use a separate device (tablet, phone, or laptop).
The exam is designed to reinforce safe driving knowledge, not to test memorization.
Why Florida Allows Open Book Exams
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) requires all BDI courses to verify that students understand safe driving concepts.
An open book format ensures students can focus on learning and comprehension rather than rote memory.
This approach helps reduce test anxiety while still holding students to the 80% passing score requirement.
Exam Details Recap
Questions: 40 multiple-choice
Passing Score: 80% (32 correct answers)
Time Limit: None — work at your own pace
Attempts: Unlimited free retakes
Format: Online, open book
Tips for Success on an Open Book Exam
Keep the course material handy: Open another browser tab or device with the lesson content ready.
Search within the course: Use your browser’s search function (Ctrl + F or Command + F) to quickly find answers.
Review before starting: The exam pulls directly from the content, so a quick review boosts your confidence.
Take your time: There is no time limit, so read each question carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If it’s open book, can I still fail?
A: Yes. You must still score 80% or higher. Using the course as a reference helps, but you should review the material to be prepared.
Q: Do the exam questions match the practice questions?
A: Many are written in a similar style, covering the same content areas.
Q: Can I pause the exam?
A: No. Once you start, you must complete the exam in one sitting. If you exit before submitting, you will need to restart.
Q: Is the exam graded immediately?
A: Yes. You’ll see your score right after finishing. If you don’t pass, you can retake it immediately.
At a Glance: Florida BDI Open Book Exam
Feature | Details |
Format | Multiple-choice, online |
Questions | 40 |
Passing Score | 80% (32 correct) |
Open Book | Yes — use course materials |
Time Limit | None |
Retakes | Unlimited, free |
Why the Open Book Policy Helps Students
Reduces test anxiety and pressure.
Encourages learning and application instead of memorization.
Ensures all students have the tools to succeed while still requiring mastery of course content.