Driving safety courses—also known as defensive driving or traffic school—are designed to improve a driver’s knowledge, awareness, and attitude toward driving a motor vehicle. Laws vary from state to state but in many states a driver who has been issued a traffic ticket or citation may have the ticket or citation dismissed upon successful completion of a driving safety course—whether online or in person.
In Florida, driving safety courses, commonly referred to as traffic school or defensive driving courses, are regulated by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). These courses serve to enhance a driver's understanding and practices regarding safe driving. Florida law allows drivers who have received a non-criminal moving traffic violation to elect to attend a basic driver improvement course in lieu of receiving points on their driving record. Upon successful completion of the course, the citation will not be entered as a conviction on the driver's record, and points will not be assessed. Drivers can choose to attend these courses either in person or online, as long as the course is approved by the FLHSMV. However, drivers are only eligible to elect this option a limited number of times within a certain period, and for certain types of violations. It's important for drivers to verify their eligibility and the specific requirements with the FLHSMV or consult with an attorney for personalized legal advice.