what do i do after completing speeding ticket 4 hour course

by Dr. Theodore Hintz 6 min read

Nations recommends you attend a 4 Hour Traffic School Class within the first 30 days of receiving your ticket. This will allow you to pay the fine and provide a Defensive Driving School Course Completion Certificate with your payment. Option 3 -- Go to Traffic Court

Full Answer

What should you do if you get a speeding ticket?

The final choice that you have when it comes to dealing with a speeding ticket is to seek mitigation. This is a good option if you have not had any tickets or violations in many years, or if it’s your first ticket. Mitigation is where you admit to the ticket and explain the circumstance under which you were committing the violation.

Should I take a speeding ticket class?

Many speeding ticket classes are split up over a couple of days, so you always do have that option. Otherwise, taking your speeding ticket class online is a good option if you aren’t really self motivated and just need to get it done in one long boring day. Best of luck and drive safely!!

What happens at the end of a speeding ticket hearing?

If you go to court, the prosecutor has to present evidence to prove that you committed the violation. At the end of the hearing, the judge will either have you pay the full fine, reduce the fine, or dismiss the ticket completely. The final choice that you have when it comes to dealing with a speeding ticket is to seek mitigation.

What happens after I complete a traffic school course?

Once the course is complete, the certificate should be sent to the court. Some traffic schools offer to send the certificate directly to court. You should determine if the online traffic school you choose is licensed and approved by the court that issued your citation.

How do I submit my Florida traffic school certificate online?

Certificates can be submitted online via HOVER or by mail to Clerk of the Circuit Court - Traffic, PO Box 3360, Tampa FL 33601-3360.

How long do I have to complete traffic school in Florida?

Once the clerk is notified of a driver's intent to attend a course, they have between 60 and 90 days from the date of the citation to complete the course and present proof of completion to the clerk of court in the county where the citation was issued.

How much is the 4 hour driving class Florida?

The total tuition for the Classroom 4 hour defensive driver course is $30.00. The tuition includes the course, classroom materials, all State of Florida fees, certificate processing and your certificate.

How many points does traffic school remove in Florida?

Reckless driving and criminal traffic violations will provide 4 points. Passing stopped school bus will guarantee you 4 points.

Do I have to pay a fine if I do a speed awareness course?

Your details are kept on a database held by the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme and if you're caught speeding again within three years of taking a speed awareness course, you're quite likely to receive a fine and penalty points straightaway.

Where do I send my traffic school certificate Florida?

You can mail your certificate of completion to the Clerk of the Courts, PO BOX 19321, Miami, Florida 33101-9321. If you elect to attend traffic school and do not comply within 120 days of election, you will be subject to a license suspension, point assessment and additional fees.

Can I take traffic school after paying ticket Florida?

You can take your traffic school course before or after you pay the fine for your ticket. Just make sure you pay your fine within 30 days of receiving the ticket.

How many points is a speeding ticket in Florida?

3 pointsPoints for Common Traffic ViolationsViolationPoint PenaltySpeeding3 pointsCareless driving3 pointsFailure to stop at steady red signal3 pointsToo fast for conditions3 points2 more rows

How long do points stay on your license in Florida?

36 monthsPoints stay on your license for a period of 36 months or 3 years. The time begins on the day the driver pays the fine and the citation clears the county. For drivers that opted to go to court and were adjudicated "guilty", the points start on the day all court ordered requirements are satisfied.

How will 3 points affect my insurance in Florida?

How much does insurance increase with 3 points on your license? We found that in some cases, 3 points on a driver's license can increase car insurance rates by up to 23%, or $658 per year, based on our analysis of multiple violations in Florida.

How do I get a speeding ticket off my record in Florida?

While you can remove points from your driving record, tickets in Florida are not dismissed or removed by taking a BDI course. The only way you can keep a traffic ticket off your record is to prove you were not breaking the law, or fight your ticket in court and win.

How can I clean my driving record in Florida?

You can enroll in traffic school driving classes to remove points from your driving record. Attending a certified Florida traffic school will help you reduce the number of points on your license. When you complete the program and present the certificate of completion to the court, your record could be cleared.

What happens if you don't complete traffic school in Florida?

If you do not complete traffic school that you elected with the Clerk of Court then your drivers license will be suspended and you will have to pay additional fees.

What is the form to fill out when you pay a traffic ticket?

At the time you pay your fine you fill out a traffic school election form called an affidavit. Then your case remains open until you submit your certificate indicating you completed your course. Then your case is closed and receive no points on your drivers license.

How to get a ticket in Florida?

When you receive a Traffic Ticket in Florida you have 3 choices: 1 Pay the fine, plead guilty and receive points on your drivers license. 2 Request a Court Date if you think you can prove you are not guilty of the violation. 3 Elect Traffic School by paying the fine to a clerk of the court (in the same county as the ticket) and completing a traffic school election form.

Can you take the end of a course test three times?

Yes. As you progress through the course there are quizzes at the end of each section and then there is a final test that is true/false and multiple choice. The quizzes and test are not difficult if you pay attention to the course material. And you can take the end of course test three times.

How long does it take to complete a Florida law course?

Deadlines are typically determined by the Florida courts. While we allow you 180 days to complete your course before your account is suspended, the court may require you to finish your course much sooner than that. Make sure to determine your court’s deadline before beginning the course.

Is Florida online traffic school?

Yes! Our Florida online traffic school courses are state-approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to meet all requirements for ticket dismissal, court-ordered traffic school, and license reinstatement.

How to play safe in traffic school?

To play it safe, request a list of approved traffic schools from either the court or your DMV. Do not accept a traffic school's claim that it's state-approved without confirming. Upon completing the program, you will receive a course completion certificate. This is your proof.

What happens if you don't complete traffic school?

Failing to complete a mandated traffic school program could result in severe repercussions, especially if it was court ordered - judges don't like when their orders are ignored. You could face additional fines, and/or have your drivers license suspended or revoked.

Do you have to go to traffic school?

If the court and/or your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) orders you to attend traffic school, you will more than likely be required to complete the course within a certain period of time. So you will need to act fast in choosing a program. This is important. In most instances the traffic school you choose must be recognized by the state.

Can proof of enrollment be used to dismiss a ticket?

Proof of enrollment may prompt your state to dismiss your traffic ticket, or reduce points on your driving record. In some instances, you may need approval before pursuing on your own. If afforded this option, be sure, as explained above, to enroll in a state-approved course.

How to notify a driver of a traffic ticket?

Some counties also allow a driver to notify them in person, over the phone, online, or by fax. You should contact the clerk of the court for the county in which you were ticketed to learn their procedures for traffic school election.

What happens if you fail a TCAC course?

Failure to attend a TCAC course can result in cancellation of your Florida driver’s license. If you select this reason for attendance when you register for the BDI course, DTA will report your completion to DHSMV after you successfully complete the course. You will not be required to send anything to DHSMV.

How many hours does a page timer take?

Per State requirements, the course requires four hours to complete. Page timers are used to ensure that you spend the required amount of time in the course. You can log in and out as many times as you need, and we keep track of your progress so you never lose any of your work.

What score do you need to pass the quiz at the end of each unit?

At the end of each unit, you will be required to pass a short quiz. You must score 80% or higher in order to go to the next unit. Each attempt has new questions and you will have an opportunity to review the unit material prior to each attempt.

What is Florida traffic school?

Basic Driver Improvement, or Florida traffic school, is a 4-hour defensive driving course that a driver can elect (volunteer) to attend after receiving a Florida traffic ticket (mo ving violation). The benefits of the course are: No points on driving record – Points are not assessed. A notation is placed on the driving record ...

Can you take a course on a mobile device?

Can the course be taken on a mobile device? Yes. This course is “mobile friendly,” meaning that it can be taken on nearly any tablet, smartphone, or other type of mobile device that contains an Internet browser, as well as any desktop or laptop computer.

Does Florida offer a discount for basic driver improvement?

Florida law (§627.06501, F.S.) allows an auto insurer to offer a discount to any driver who completes a Basic Driver Improvement course voluntarily (meaning not as the result of a ticket or court order).

How many copies of a hardship license do you get before you leave class?

You will receive two copies before you leave class. A Signed original with a unique Certificate Number. This copy is for the Clerk of the Courts (Court Orders) or the DMV if you are attending for a Points Suspension, to relieve a Habitual Traffic Offender revocation or to request a Hardship License.

What happens when a citation is withheld?

When adjudication is "withheld", the citation is not dismissed, but "no points" will be assessed on the condition that you complete your court ordered course in the time frame assigned by the judge. You will also typically be responsible for the fine, plus all court costs.

How long does a citation stay on your record?

Additionally, if you do not "Elect" to attend a Defensive Driver Improvement Course, the points associated with the citation go on your driving record for 36 months and while you do not have to appear in Traffic Court, you are automatically adjudicated "Guilty".

How much will insurance increase if you accept points?

Accepting the Points will cause most insurance companies to raise your rates from 10% to 25%, and you will continue to pay that increase for 3 years. Consider this. If you currently pay $100 per month for insurance and your rates are increased 15%, you will pay an additional $180.00 per year.

Is education a good way to reduce traffic accidents?

Fatalities, injuries and property damage are all increasing at a worrisome rate. The State of Florida has concluded that education definitely offers the best method to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities, and to help you reduce the risk of future traffic tickets. Fact is that an educated driver is a safer driver.

What happens if you get a speeding ticket and it stays on your record?

When you get a speeding ticket and it stays on your record, your insurance premium is going to go up and the insurance company may drop you when it's time to renew your auto insurance policy.

How to find out if a traffic school is licensed?

Find out by contacting the court clerk who presides over the court that issued your citation.

What traffic school certificate will not erase?

A traffic school certificate only certifies that you are aware of the vehicle code of your state and thus can only take points from moving violations that are minor infractions.

Can a speeding ticket be removed from your record?

However, if you complete traffic school, obtain a traffic school certificate and properly submit it to the traffic court or Department of Motor Vehicles, whichever your jurisdiction requires, that speeding ticket will be removed from your record and your insurance company won't be informed of the ticket. This means your insurance premiums won't go ...

Do you have to pay a fine to take a traffic school?

Before registering with a traffic school, you have to pay the necessary fine to the court. You have to then obtain permission from the court that issued the citation to take a traffic school course. Subsequently, the court will charge an administrative fee to allow you to take the course.

Can you take points from driving school?

Driving school completion won't remove certain moving violations such as reckless driving or DUIs. A traffic school certificate only certifies that you are aware of the vehicle code of your state and thus can only take points from moving violations that are minor infractions.

I received a ticket in Florida and want to take traffic school, what do I do?

Within 30 days, you must inform the clerk of court in the county where you received the ticket that you would like to take basic driver improvement. You must also pay an "election" fee to the clerk of court.

Do I have to pay any fines if I complete traffic school?

Yes. If you do not know the amount, or it is not stated on your ticket, the Traffic Division of the Clerk of Court in the county where you received your citation will be able to provide the information on your fine.

Will taking a basic driver improvement course (BDIC) give me any discount on my ticket fines?

No. However, effective January 1, 2019, upcoming Florida legislature changes, will allow drivers who complete a BDIC to receive a 9% discount on their citation amount. Visit the Florida Senate website for more details about this legislation update.

What benefits will I receive after taking basic driver improvement?

If you complete traffic school as the result of 1 basic moving violation, you will receive the following:

How many times can I take traffic school?

You can take Florida traffic school once in a year period, but no more than 5 total times.

What do I do after getting my certificate?

You need to provide the completion certificate to the Clerk's office in the county where you received your citation. Each county clerk may have different requirements, so be sure to contact them first to find out.

Is it better to take a speeding ticket class online?

Why Taking Your Speeding Ticket Class Online Is WAY Better Than A Classroom. There are many benefits to taking your speeding ticket class online. For starters, they can be much faster than taking your course in a classroom based setting. In some states, such as California, there are no “course timers” required while you go through ...

Can you log in and out of speeding ticket class?

For starters, you can log in and out of the course whenever you want. If you want to get your entire speeding ticket class done in one day, you can do that. If you’d rather just do an hour per day for 6 days, that’s fine, too. Plus, the course timers really aren’t that bad. Any high quality online speeding ticket class, ...

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