You can take traffic school in Florida once every 12 months and up to eight times in your lifetime. Both limits come from section 318.14(9), Florida Statutes. The lifetime cap was five until July 1, 2024, when Florida raised it to eight. Each time you choose traffic school to keep points off a ticket, it counts as one election.
These limits matter because every election protects your license and your insurance rate. Once you run out, every new ticket adds points to your record. This guide explains how the two limits work, what counts as an election, the Broward County exception and how to find out how many elections you have left.
Quick Answer: Florida Traffic School Limits
- Once every 12 months. You cannot elect traffic school if you elected it in the past 12 months.
- Eight times in your lifetime. Florida caps voluntary elections at eight.
- Only voluntary elections count. A course ordered by a judge or FLHSMV does not use up an election.
- Fix-it tickets have their own cap. Florida allows three compliance elections in a lifetime.
The Two Limits on Florida Traffic School
Florida uses two limits at the same time. You must pass both to elect traffic school for a new ticket.
| Limit | The rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| 12-month limit | No election in the preceding 12 months | Two tickets in one year means only one can go to traffic school |
| Lifetime limit | No more than eight elections | After your eighth election, every ticket brings points |
Once Every 12 Months
The 12-month rule runs on a rolling basis, not by calendar year. If you elected traffic school in March, you cannot elect again until the following March. A ticket in January of the next year still falls inside that window.
Eight Times in a Lifetime
The lifetime cap does not reset. Elections from 10 or 20 years ago still count. Only Florida elections count toward the Florida cap, so a course you took for a ticket in another state does not use one up.
Why Some Sources Still Say Five
For years, Florida allowed only five lifetime elections. The legislature raised the cap to eight effective July 1, 2024. Many websites, and even some county forms, still list five. If a form or website says five, it may be out of date. The current statute controls, and your county clerk can confirm your count.
What Counts as a Traffic School Election?
An election is the moment you tell the clerk of court that you choose the 4-hour Basic Driver Improvement course instead of points. It is not the act of finishing the course.
| Counts as an election | Does not count as an election |
|---|---|
| Choosing the 4-hour BDI course to avoid points on a ticket | A course a judge orders as part of a sentence |
| Electing the course and then failing to finish it | A BDI course FLHSMV requires after a crash or conviction |
| Electing the 8-hour course in Broward instead of the 4-hour course | A 12-hour ADI course after a suspension |
| A mature driver course taken for an insurance discount | |
| A traffic school course taken in another state |
Failing to finish is costly. You use up an election, and the clerk still adds the points and may suspend your license.
The Separate Limit on Fix-It Ticket Elections
Florida has a second type of election under section 318.14(10). It applies to certain non-moving tickets, such as some license, registration and equipment violations. You fix the problem and show proof before your court date. Adjudication is then withheld.
This compliance election has its own limits. You can use it once in 12 months and only three times in your lifetime. It does not count against your eight traffic school elections.
The Broward and Miami-Dade 8-Hour Exception
Broward County gives repeat ticket holders one more path. Drivers who no longer qualify for the 4-hour course may be able to elect an 8-hour course instead. The Broward Clerk’s driving school affidavit allows this only if you have never elected the 8-hour course and do not hold a CDL. Miami-Dade County has a similar one-time option.
This helps drivers in Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach and Coral Springs who get a second ticket within a year. You must finish the course within 90 days of the election. Compare local schools in our list of the best traffic schools in Deerfield Beach.
How to Find Out How Many Elections You Have Left
Florida does not send you a running count. Use these steps to check:
- Order your driving record. Tickets you resolved through traffic school show as adjudication withheld.
- Count each withheld moving violation. Each one usually marks a past election.
- Note the most recent date. If it falls within the past 12 months, you must wait.
- Use the FLHSMV eligibility check. FLHSMV offers an online traffic school eligibility check.
- Call the clerk of court. The clerk in the county where you got the ticket can confirm your status.
When you are ready to elect, our guide on how to pay a traffic ticket online in Florida shows where to choose the traffic school option.
What Happens When You Reach the Limit?
When you can no longer elect, the ticket goes through the normal process. You pay the full fine, the court adjudicates the ticket and FLHSMV adds the points. Too many points can lead to a suspension, as our guide to the Florida license points system explains.
| Points on your record | Time period | Suspension length |
|---|---|---|
| 12 points | Within 12 months | Up to 30 days |
| 18 points | Within 18 months | Up to 3 months |
| 24 points | Within 36 months | Up to 1 year |
A points suspension requires the 12-hour Advanced Driver Improvement course before reinstatement. During a suspension, you may qualify to drive for work. Learn more in our guide on how to get a hardship license in Florida. Drivers with repeated serious convictions can also be labeled a habitual traffic offender in Florida, which brings a five-year revocation.
How to Make Each Election Count
Eight elections can go faster than you think. Use these tips to protect your record:
- Save the election for the bigger ticket. If you get two tickets close together, elect traffic school for the one with more points.
- Act within 30 days. You lose the option if you miss the election deadline.
- Finish early. An unfinished course still uses an election and adds points.
- Keep your certificate. Save proof of completion in case the clerk does not record it.
- Take the course online. Our guide to Florida-approved traffic school online shows how to finish from home.
Take Your Traffic School Course With Boca Bay
Boca Bay offers the FLHSMV-approved 4-hour Basic Driver Improvement course, plus the 8-hour and 12-hour courses. Drivers in Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton and nearby cities can finish online or in class. Call 954-449-4762 or visit the Boca Bay DUI Program to enroll today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take traffic school twice in one year in Florida?
No. Florida allows only one traffic school election in any 12-month period. This rule applies even if you have lifetime elections left.
Is the Florida traffic school limit five or eight?
The limit is eight lifetime elections. Florida raised it from five on July 1, 2024. Older forms and websites may still say five.
Does the lifetime traffic school limit ever reset?
No. The lifetime cap does not reset with time. An election from many years ago still counts toward your eight.
Does a court-ordered course count toward my eight elections?
No. Only voluntary elections to avoid points count. A course ordered by a judge or required by FLHSMV is separate.
What happens if I elect traffic school but do not finish?
The election still counts. The clerk adds the points to your record, and your license may be suspended until you pay the fees.
Do traffic school courses from other states count in Florida?
No. The Florida limits apply only to elections for Florida tickets. Courses you took for tickets in another state do not count.
How do I know how many times I have taken traffic school?
Order your Florida driving record and count the moving violations marked adjudication withheld. You can also ask the clerk of court in the county where you got your ticket.
