Show All Answers

1. Who may make an election to attend basic driver improvement course?

Any person charged with a moving or non-moving violation, other than violations involving driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, or proof of insurance, is eligible to elect to attend a basic driver improvement course in lieu of accumulating points on the driver history record. Effective July 1, 2005, per s. 318.14(9) and (10), drivers holding a commercial license may no longer make a school election.

2. What is the benefit of making an election?

There are two benefits:

• No points will be assessed against your driver’s license.
• Attending a basic driver improvement course to satisfy the violation will be entered on your driver history record as an "adjudication withheld."

3. Do I have to pay to elect a basic driver improvement course?

Yes, the civil penalty is required by law to be paid in addition to the cost for the driving course which may range from $20 to $35. At the time of the election, please refer to your local telephone directory under the heading "Driving Instruction" for the names and locations of the basic driver improvement course nearest you."

4. How can I elect to attend a basic driver improvement course?

You must come to the Clerk’s office to make your selection, or, if you reside outside of Polk County, contact your local Clerk’s office and you may make your election to attend a basic driver improvement course by mail. Read the Affidavit carefully. Within 30 calendar days of the date your ticket was issued, complete the affidavit, have your signature notarized, and return the affidavit to the Clerk’s office in the envelope provided. Be sure to include a check or money order for the civil penalty and allow sufficient mail time to ensure your affidavit is received in the Clerk’s office with the 30 calendared days required. 

After you have completed and paid the costs for the election, contact an approved school to arrange a schedule for the course (you may find a listing a driver improvement courses in your local yellow pages). You must enroll, attend, and complete the basic driver improvement course within 90 calendar days from the date you elected to attend. You will need to be prepared to pay for the course at the time of enrollment.

5. Do I need to do anything else after I attend the basic driver improvement course?

Yes, you must present proof of completion of the basic driver improvement course to the Clerk’s office. Proof must be received in the Clerk’s office within 90 calendar days of the date you elected to attend the course.

6. Can I change my mind after I elect to attend a basic driver improvement course?

If you elect to attend a basic driver improvement course, you must enroll and complete the course, with proof of completion being presented to the Clerk’s office, within 90 calendar days of your election. If you fail to meet any one of these requirements for any reason, an additional delinquency fee will be owed, your driver’s license will be suspended, a reinstatement fee to reinstate your privilege to drive will be required, and a conviction of the violation will be reported on your driver history record. If you contact the Clerk’s office before the 90 days and state that you no longer wish to attend the basic driver improvement course. You will be assessed either the 9 percent or 18 percent reduction of the base fine received at the time of payment. If you elected on a wireless communication citation, you will be assessed the $60 base fine plus the $18 processing fee to the case, per section 318.15 Florida Statute.  Upon receipt of the fees, the case will be closed and the points will be assessed to the license. 

7. How many times can I elect to attend a basic driver improvement course?

You may make an election to attend a basic driver improvement course to satisfy an eligible traffic violation one time in a 12 month period, but no more than five times within a lifetime.

8. What if I receive a ticket outside Polk County?

You must make your election and pay the associated fines and costs to attend a basic driver improvement course in the county in which your ticket was issued. You may, however, attend a basic driver improvement course approved by the State of Florida, in the location of your choice. Refer to your local telephone directory for the names and locations of basic driver improvement courses in other counties.

9. Where can I get more information about an election?

For information on the election requirements and costs involved, contact the nearest Traffic Department of the Clerk’s office. For information on the basic driver improvement course locations, hours, and costs, contact an approved school. A listing of names, addresses, and phone numbers of approved schools are available in your local telephone directory under "Driving Instructions."