If you hold a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), you cannot elect the Florida Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course to prevent points on your driving record. This restriction applies regardless of which vehicle you were driving when the citation was issued — even if you were in a personal vehicle.
However, a judge or magistrate may order a CDL holder to complete the BDI course as part of a court proceeding in certain circumstances.
Why CDL Holders Cannot Elect BDI
Florida law prohibits CDL holders from electing the BDI course as an alternative to points. This restriction has been in effect since July 1, 2005, under Florida Statute 318.14(9) and (10). CDL holders are subject to stricter standards under federal and Florida commercial driver regulations and cannot use the BDI election to shield their driving record.
Court-Ordered BDI for CDL Holders
If a court has ordered you to complete the Florida BDI course, you may be eligible to enroll regardless of your CDL status. Before enrolling, confirm with your court that:
The Driving Logic Florida BDI course satisfies your specific court order
You have the court's deadline for completing the course
If the court authorized your attendance, select the court-ordered reason when enrolling and follow any additional instructions from the court.
What CDL Holders Should Do After a Citation
Contact the clerk of court in the county where the citation was issued to understand your options. CDL holders may have different requirements and fewer alternatives for addressing traffic citations than drivers with a standard license.
Quick Facts
Detail | Information |
CDL holder — can elect BDI for point prevention | No |
CDL holder — can be court-ordered to take BDI | Yes, if a judge orders it |
Restriction applies to | All CDL holders, regardless of vehicle driven at time of citation |
In effect since | July 1, 2005 (Florida Statute 318.14(9) and (10)) |
Frequently Asked Questions
I was driving my personal car, not a commercial vehicle, when I got the ticket. Does the CDL restriction still apply? Yes. The restriction applies to all CDL holders regardless of which vehicle was being driven at the time of the citation.
Can I give up my CDL to become eligible for the BDI election? Let us know and we can help, but this is a legal question best answered by the clerk of court or an attorney familiar with Florida traffic law.
A judge told me to take the BDI course. Can I enroll? Yes. Court-ordered attendance is separate from the election process and is available to CDL holders when ordered by a court. Confirm the course and deadline with your court before enrolling, then let us know and we can help you get started.