Completing the Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course for a qualifying citation prevents points for that violation from being added to your Florida driving record. The violation is recorded as adjudication withheld, not a conviction.
The Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course offers an option to prevent points from a traffic citation if you meet specific requirements. This process helps you avoid license suspension and maintain a clean driving record. Understanding how the point system and course election work is important if you receive a citation in Florida.
How the Florida Point System Works
Florida uses a point system to track traffic violations. Points are added to your record when you are convicted of an infraction. If you reach certain point thresholds within set time periods, your license may be suspended:
- 12 points in 12 months: 30-day suspension
- 18 points in 18 months: 3-month suspension
- 24 points in 36 months: 1-year suspension
Taking the Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course through a proper election helps you stay below these thresholds by preventing points for the elected citation.
What Adjudication Withheld Means
When you elect and complete the Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course for a qualifying citation, the court records the violation as adjudication withheld. This means you are not found guilty of the infraction, no points are assessed, and the violation does not count as a conviction on your driving record.
Requirements to Prevent Points
To use the Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course to prevent points, you must:
- Notify the clerk of court in the county where you received the citation within 30 days
- Pay the election fee to the clerk
- Complete the Driving Logic BDI course and pass the final exam before your court deadline
- Not hold a commercial driver license (CDL), not have elected BDI in the past 12 months, and not have exceeded 8 lifetime elections
For more details on Florida’s point system and eligibility, visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
How Often You Can Use the Course
Florida law allows you to elect the Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course to prevent points once per 12-month period and up to 8 times in your lifetime. The 12-month period is calculated from the date of your citation, not by calendar year. CDL holders are not eligible for point prevention.
How Driving Logic Reports Your Completion
After you pass the final exam, Driving Logic submits your course completion to the FLHSMV electronically within 1 business day. The FLHSMV processes your completion instantly. You can verify your updated driving record at flhsmv.gov after 1 business day.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Points prevented | Yes — for the qualifying citation elected |
| Points removed from prior violations | No |
| Legal outcome | Adjudication withheld — not a conviction |
| Election limit | Once per 12-month period |
| Lifetime election limit | 8 times |
| CDL holders eligible | No |
| Reporting to FLHSMV | Within 1 business day of passing the exam |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will taking the Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course voluntarily keep points off my record?
No. The point prevention benefit only applies when you formally elect the course in connection with a qualifying citation. Voluntary enrollment does not prevent points.
What happens if I do not finish the Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course by the deadline?
If you do not complete the course before your court deadline, points for the citation may be added to your record and you may face additional penalties. Complete the course as early as possible if a deadline applies.
Can I use the Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course for multiple citations at once?
No. You may only elect the Florida Basic Driver Improvement Course once per 12-month period. If you have multiple citations, only one can be addressed through BDI election within any 12-month window.
When will my driving record reflect the update?
Driving Logic submits your completion to the FLHSMV within 1 business day of passing the exam. The FLHSMV processes the submission instantly. Check your record at flhsmv.gov after 1 business day.