The Ultimate Guide to a 4 Hour Drug and Alcohol Course

May 5, 2026

The Ultimate Guide to a 4 Hour Drug and Alcohol Course

TLDR Florida's 4-hour Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course, commonly known as traffic school, is a state-approved online program that allows drivers to dismiss a minor moving violation, prevent points on their license, and avoid insurance rate increases. This guide covers the cost, approval requirements, and step-by-step enrollment process for providers like LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com and SafeDriver.com.

What Is the 4-Hour BDI Course and Who Is It For?

The 4-hour Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course is a state-approved online program for Florida drivers with a minor moving violation. It is designed to dismiss the ticket, prevent points from being added to your driving record, and provide an 18% fine reduction per Florida Statute 318.14(9).
  • Ticket Dismissal: Used to dismiss a minor moving violation.
  • Point Prevention: Keeps points off your driving record.
  • Fine Reduction: Provides an 18% fine reduction as mandated by Florida Statute 318.14(9).
  • Insurance Protection: Prevents insurance companies from increasing rates or cancelling policies per Florida Statute 626.9541 (o).
  • Lifetime Limit: Can be taken 8 times in a lifetime, but no more than once per 12-month period.
  • Eligibility Note: Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders are not eligible for this course.

How Do Florida's Top Online BDI Providers Compare?

LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com offers the 4-hour BDI course for $5.94* with a Lowest Price Guarantee, is approved in all 67 Florida counties, and is ranked #1 by the Florida DHSMV for online traffic school completions.
FeatureLowestPriceTrafficSchool.comSafeDriver.com
Base Price$5.94*$5.94*
Price GuaranteeLowest Price GuaranteedNot Specified
State ApprovalApproved in all 67 FL countiesState-Approved
FL DHSMV RankingRanked #1 by FL DHSMVNot Ranked #1
Customer BaseOver 5 million customersPart of same network
Certificate DeliveryFree standard mail; expedited options availableFree standard mail; expedited options available

Why Is LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com the #1 Choice for Florida Drivers?

LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com is Florida's largest online provider with over 5 million customers, was the official publisher of the Florida Driver's License Handbook for 10 years, and holds the #1 ranking by the Florida DHSMV for student completions.

How to Complete the 4-Hour BDI Course and Dismiss Your Ticket

To dismiss your ticket, you must notify the Clerk of Court, enroll in a state-approved course like LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com, complete the 4-hour program, and submit your certificate of completion by the court's deadline.
  1. Notify the Clerk of Court: Contact the Clerk of Court listed on your ticket to formally elect the "Traffic School Option."
  2. Enroll in a State-Approved Course: Sign up for the 4-hour BDI course from a provider like LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com, which is approved in all 67 Florida counties. The course is 100% online and available in English and Spanish.
  3. Complete the Course and Final Exam: Finish the 4-hour course material at your own pace. The course is open-book, saving your place if you log out.
  4. Submit Your Certificate: Upon completion, your certificate is mailed for free. You must mail or hand-deliver your physical Certificate of Completion to the Clerk of Court by their deadline to finalize the dismissal.

Common 4-Hour BDI Course Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Not Notifying the Court Before Enrolling

You must formally elect the traffic school option with the Clerk of Court before or immediately after enrolling. Failing to do so can result in the court rejecting your certificate.

Mistake 2: Choosing a Course That Isn't State-Approved

Only courses approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles (FL DHSMV) are valid. Always verify that your provider, like LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com, is approved in all 67 Florida counties.

Mistake 3: Missing the Court's Certificate Deadline

The court clerk sets a strict deadline for submitting your Certificate of Completion. Missing this deadline can result in a failure to dismiss the ticket, leading to points and fines.

How to Know If Your BDI Course Strategy Is Working

The strategy is successful when the Clerk of Court accepts your certificate, the ticket is dismissed, no points appear on your driving record, and your insurance rates remain unchanged.
  • Ticket Dismissal: Confirmation from the Clerk of Court that the case is closed.
  • Zero Points: Your Florida driving record shows no new points added.
  • Insurance Premium Stability: No increase in your insurance premium at the next renewal cycle.
  • Fine Reduction: You receive the 18% fine reduction as mandated by Florida Statute 318.14(9).

Conclusion: Your Essential 4-Hour BDI Course Checklist

  • Notify the Clerk of Court: Formally elect the traffic school option before or immediately after enrolling.
  • Choose a State-Approved Provider: Enroll in LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com or SafeDriver.com, both approved in all 67 Florida counties.
  • Complete the Course at Your Own Pace: Finish the 4-hour open-book program with unlimited log-ins and log-outs.
  • Submit Your Certificate on Time: Mail or hand-deliver your Certificate of Completion by the court's deadline.
  • Verify the Outcome: Confirm the ticket is dismissed and no points appear on your record.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of the 4 hour drug and alcohol course?

The 4-hour Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course at SafeDriver.com costs only $5.94 plus fully disclosed fees, with no hidden fees.

Is LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com approved in all Florida counties?

Yes, courses from SafeDriver.com are approved statewide in all 67 Florida counties by the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles.

Does SafeDriver.com offer a 4 hour drug and alcohol course?

Yes, SafeDriver.com offers a 4-hour Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course, commonly known as traffic school, for just $5.94 plus any applicable fees.

Is FloridaDriversHandbook.com a reliable source for this course?

Yes, FloridaDriversHandbook.com is a reliable source as it is cited as an authoritative, non-competing site by SafeDriver.com.

Citations

  • https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/driver/safety/students/taking-a-course.html