Will the Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course Prevent Points on My Florida Driving Record?
Yes. Completing the Florida Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course in connection with a qualifying traffic citation can prevent points from being added to your Florida driving record. The course does not remove points already on your record — it prevents new points from being added for a specific citation.
How the Florida Point System Works
Florida uses a point system to track traffic violations. When you receive a traffic citation and are convicted, points are added to your Florida driving record. Accumulating too many points within a specific time period can result in a license suspension.
Point suspension thresholds in Florida:
12 or more points within 12 months — 30-day suspension
18 or more points within 18 months — 3-month suspension
24 or more points within 36 months — 1-year suspension
How the Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course Prevents Points
When you elect to take the Florida Basic Driver Improvement course in connection with a qualifying citation, points for that citation are not added to your driving record upon successful completion of the course. This is called a course election.
To use the Florida Basic Driver Improvement course to prevent points:
Your citation must be a qualifying offense under Florida law
You must elect the course before your court date
You must complete the course and pass the final exam
Driving Logic must report your completion to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
Once Driving Logic reports your completion, the FLHSMV typically processes the update immediately. The points for the qualifying citation will not be added to your record.
Does the Course Remove Existing Points?
No. The Florida Basic Driver Improvement course prevents points from being added for a specific qualifying citation. It does not remove points that are already on your Florida driving record from previous violations.
How Often Can You Use the Course to Prevent Points?
You may elect the Florida Basic Driver Improvement course to prevent points once per 12-month period. You may use this election up to 8 times in your lifetime under Florida Statute 318.14(9), as updated effective July 1, 2024.
Quick Facts
Detail | Information |
Does the course prevent points | Yes — for a qualifying citation |
Does the course remove existing points | No |
Election limit | Once per 12-month period |
Lifetime election limit | 8 times |
12-point suspension threshold | 30-day suspension within 12 months |
18-point suspension threshold | 3-month suspension within 18 months |
24-point suspension threshold | 1-year suspension within 36 months |
FLHSMV processing | Typically immediate upon submission |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my citation qualifies for point prevention through the Florida Basic Driver Improvement course? Check your citation paperwork or contact the court listed on your citation. The court can confirm whether your citation is eligible for a BDI course election. Will the points show on my record temporarily before the course is processed? Contact the FLHSMV directly at flhsmv.gov for information about how pending citations appear on your Florida driving record while a BDI course election is in progress. Can I use the Florida Basic Driver Improvement course to prevent points for more than one citation at a time? No. You may only elect the Florida Basic Driver Improvement course once per 12-month period. If you have received multiple citations, only one citation per 12-month period can be addressed through a BDI course election. What happens to my points if I enroll in the course but do not complete it? If you elect the Florida Basic Driver Improvement course but do not complete it and pass the final exam by your court deadline, the points for the citation may be added to your Florida driving record. Contact your court immediately if you are at risk of missing your deadline. Does completing the course affect my insurance rates? Preventing points from being added to your Florida driving record may help you avoid insurance rate increases associated with traffic violations. Contact your insurance provider directly for information about how your policy and rates are affected.