Do I Need a Case Number to Enroll in the Florida Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) Course?
Most drivers enrolling in the Florida Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) Course do not need a case number. Learn when a case number is required, how to find it, and how to enter it correctly.
When you enroll in the Florida Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) Course, the enrollment form includes a field for a case number. For most drivers, this field does not apply.
Most Drivers Do Not Need a Case Number
If you received a traffic citation and are enrolling in the Florida Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) Course to avoid points on your driving record, you only need your citation number. You do not need a case number.
A case number is associated with a formal court proceeding — not a traffic ticket. If you have not appeared in court for your citation, you most likely do not have a case number and do not need one.
What Is a Case Number?
A case number is the identifier assigned to a formal court case. It is assigned by the court, not printed on your traffic ticket. A case number typically looks something like 2025-TR-012345.
A case number is different from a citation number. A citation number is always 7 characters long and contains a combination of letters and numbers, such as ABC123D. If you have a 7-character code, that is your citation number — not your case number.
When Would I Have a Case Number?
You may have a case number if:
Your citation resulted in a formal court case
A judge or court ordered you to complete the Florida Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) Course as part of a proceeding
Your attorney provided you with a court case reference number alongside your citation number
If you only received a traffic ticket and have not been to court, you have a citation number — not a case number.
How Do I Enter a Case Number Correctly?
If the enrollment form asks for a case number and you have one, enter it exactly as it appears on your court paperwork — but remove all dashes.
For example, if your court paperwork shows 2025-TR-012345, enter it as 2025TR012345.
Do not include spaces, commas, or any other punctuation. Enter letters and numbers only.
What If My Attorney Gave Me a Combined Number?
Some attorneys list the case number and citation number together in a single string, such as 2025-TR-012345, ABC123D. If that is what you have:
The longer number —
2025-TR-012345— is your case number. Enter it in the case number field without dashes:2025TR012345.The 7-character code —
ABC123D— is your citation number. Enter it in the citation number field exactly as shown.
The citation number is always 7 characters and always contains both letters and numbers. The case number is always longer.
Quick Facts
Detail | Information |
Do most drivers need a case number | No — most drivers only need a citation number |
What a case number looks like | Longer number assigned by the court (example: |
How to enter a case number | Remove all dashes — enter letters and numbers only (example: |
What a citation number looks like | Always 7 characters, letters and numbers (example: |
Where each is entered | Separate fields — citation number and case number are not the same |
Frequently Asked Questions
I only have a traffic ticket. Do I need to enter a case number? No. Your citation number from your traffic ticket is all you need. Most drivers enrolling in the Florida Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) Course do not have or need a case number. My attorney sent me a number that includes both a case number and a citation number. How do I know which is which? The citation number is always 7 characters and contains both letters and numbers — for example, ABC123D. The case number is the longer number — for example, 2025-TR-012345. Enter each one in its own field and remove dashes from the case number before entering it. What if I entered my case number incorrectly? Send us a message and a member of our team will help you correct it before your completion is reported to the FLHSMV. What if I am not sure whether I have a case number? If you only received a traffic ticket and have not been to court, you do not have a case number. Send us a message if you are still unsure and we will help you figure out what to enter.