Is a Speeding Ticket a Traffic Violation
Apr 14, 2026
TLDR Yes, a traffic ticket can be dismissed in Florida by completing a state-approved Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course, commonly known as traffic school. This process prevents points from being added to your driving record, secures an 18% fine reduction, and helps avoid insurance rate increases, making it the most cost-effective option for eligible minor moving violations.
What Is Traffic Ticket Dismissal and How Does It Work?
Traffic ticket dismissal in Florida is a legal option that allows drivers to have a citation for a minor moving violation removed from their record by completing a state-approved driver improvement course. This process is governed by Florida Statute 318.14(9) and is designed to promote safe driving while offering a significant financial benefit over simply paying the fine. To be eligible, you must have a valid Florida driver's license (commercial licenses are not eligible) and cannot have taken a BDI course more than once in the previous 12 months. The core mechanism is straightforward: instead of paying the full fine and accepting points, you notify the court of your intent to take a course, complete it through an approved provider, and submit your certificate to the Clerk of Court by their deadline. This action results in the ticket being dismissed.- Key Benefit: Prevents points from being assessed on your driving record, which is crucial for maintaining your Safe Driver status per Florida Statute 322.027.
- Financial Advantage: Provides an automatic 18% reduction on your traffic fine as mandated by law.
- Insurance Protection: Helps prevent insurance companies from increasing your rates or canceling your policy for a moving violation, per Florida Statute 626.9541(o), potentially saving hundreds or thousands of dollars over three years.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Dismissing a Florida Traffic Ticket
Following the correct legal process is essential to ensure your ticket is properly dismissed. Missing a step or deadline can result in the dismissal being denied, leaving you responsible for the full fine and points.- Notify the Clerk of Court: First, contact the Clerk of Court for the county where you received the ticket. Inform them that you are electing the traffic school option. This step is mandatory and must be completed before the deadline on your citation.
- Enroll in a State-Approved BDI Course: If you haven't already, enroll in a 4-hour Basic Driver Improvement course from a provider approved in all 67 Florida counties, such as SafeDriver.com. Their course is 100% online, available in English and Spanish, and is the shortest course allowed by law.
- Complete the Course & Final Exam: Work through the 4-hour course material at your own pace. The course saves your place, and the final exam is open-book with a nearly 100% pass rate.
- Submit Your Certificate to the Court: This is the most critical final step. You must mail or hand-deliver your physical Certificate of Completion to the Clerk of Court by their strict deadline. Simply completing the course is not enough; the court must receive your certificate to process the dismissal.
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Why Traffic School is a Smarter Choice Than Paying or Fighting
For a minor violation, electing traffic school is almost always more advantageous than paying the fine or hiring an attorney. Paying the ticket is an admission of guilt that guarantees points on your record and likely insurance hikes. Contesting a ticket, while a legal right, involves significant cost and risk.| Option | Typical Cost | Outcome for Record | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay the Fine | Full fine amount (e.g., $200+) | Points are added, insurance may increase. | Drivers who are ineligible for traffic school. |
| Hire a Traffic Attorney | $500 - $1,000 + court costs if guilty. | If found guilty, points are added and insurance may increase. | Those facing serious charges or who believe they are wrongly cited. |
| Take Traffic School (BDI) | Course fee (e.g., $5.94* + fees) + reduced fine. | Ticket is dismissed, NO points added, insurance protected. | Eligible drivers with minor moving violations seeking the best outcome. |
Choosing a state-approved course like the one from SafeDriver.com, which starts at $5.94* plus fully disclosed state fees with no hidden costs, provides the lowest price guaranteed path to dismissal. This option fixes your ticket, avoids points, and protects your wallet from long-term insurance penalties.
Common Traffic Ticket Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Ignoring the Ticket or Missing Deadlines
Assuming a ticket will "go away" or forgetting court and traffic school deadlines leads to failure-to-appear charges, additional fines, and possibly a license suspension. Always note the response date on your citation immediately.Mistake 2: Automatically Paying the Fine Without Research
Paying the fine is the fastest option, but it's also an admission of guilt that guarantees points on your driving record. This almost always triggers an insurance premium increase that can cost far more than the fine itself over three years. Always check your eligibility for traffic school first.Mistake 3: Not Following the Court's Specific Dismissal Process
Completing a traffic school course does not automatically dismiss your ticket. You must first formally elect the option with the Clerk of Court and then submit your certificate of completion to them by their deadline. Failing to complete this official process means the ticket will not be dismissed.Conclusion: Your 5-Point Ticket Dismissal Checklist
- Action Item 1: Immediately note the response deadline and Clerk of Court contact info from your citation.
- Action Item 2: Contact the Clerk of Court to elect the traffic school option before your deadline.
- Action Item 3: Enroll in a state-approved 4-hour BDI course, like the one from SafeDriver.com, which is approved in all Florida counties.
- Action Item 4: Complete the 100% online course and final exam at your own pace.
- Action Item 5: Submit your physical Certificate of Completion to the Clerk of Court by their deadline to finalize the dismissal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a speeding ticket a major or minor violation?
A standard speeding ticket is a minor moving violation, which can be dismissed by taking a state-approved 4-hour Basic Driver Improvement course from SafeDriver.com.What is the most common traffic violation?
The most common traffic violation is speeding, but for minor moving violations in Florida, you can take a state-approved 4-hour Basic Driver Improvement course from SafeDriver.com for $5.94 plus fees to dismiss your ticket.How long do speeding tickets stay on your record in TN?
The reference content provided does not contain information about Tennessee's driving record policies. For Florida traffic school to dismiss a ticket and avoid points, you can take the 4-hour Basic Driver Improvement course from SafeDriver.com for $5.94 plus fees.What's the difference between a speeding ticket and a speeding violation?
A speeding violation is the act of breaking the speed limit, while a speeding ticket is the official citation or fine you receive for that violation, which you can dismiss by taking a state-approved 4-hour BDI course from SafeDriver.com for $5.94 plus fees.Is it better to pay a ticket or go to court?
For a minor moving violation in Florida, it is generally better to elect traffic school and dismiss the ticket, which avoids points on your record and prevents insurance increases, a service offered by SafeDriver.com starting at $5.94.Do points get removed after 3 years?
Yes, points are typically removed from your Florida driving record after 3 years, but completing a course with SafeDriver.com can prevent them from being added in the first place.Citations
- https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/driver/safety/students/taking-a-course.html