Defensive Driving Courses in Florida

Taking an approved defensive driving course earns Florida drivers an auto insurance discount, whether it is a basic driver improvement course (for drivers not yet 55 years old) or a mature driver program (for drivers 55 and above).

You will be entitled to up to a 10% premium reduction under the defensive driver discount if you complete the course voluntarily.

You can also choose to take the class to reduce the number of points on your record after receiving a traffic citation. Choose from 41 approved Florida defensive driving basic course providers or 16 approved mature driver course providers.

Benefits of taking a defensive driving course in Florida

Aside from its intangible benefit of honing your safe driving techniques, another advantage of voluntarily taking a defensive driving class is the financial return on your insurance premiums.

Car insurance discount — basic driver improvement course

The basic defensive driving class is also referred to as the four hour BDI. After successfully completing it, Florida drivers are entitled to up to a 10% premium reduction, according to state law. Your provider will issue a course-completion certificate, which will qualify you for the insurance discount. Once your insurance company receives this, they'll process the discount. You are eligible for three years after taking the course, as long as you aren't:

While requirements and restrictions differ between insurance companies in Florida, the following rate reduction standards generally apply.

Auto insurance discount — mature driver program

If you’re at least 55 years old and have a Florida driver’s license, successfully completing a safe driving course allows you to save on your auto insurance premium for three years. Your actual defensive driving savings will depend on your auto insurance company and how much your premium was initially.

Reducing your Florida traffic points

Another reason for enrolling in a defensive driving course is to reduce violation points on your record, which affect your driver's license and your car insurance rate. Florida’s common traffic infractions have a point value assigned to them.

A running tally of points is kept on your driving record whenever you are ticketed and can accumulate quickly if you’re not careful.

[Pullquote]Taking a course helps you to erase some of those points, retain your driver’s license and preserve your existing insurance rate (if the citation you received is not associated with an accident). [/pullquote]

By Florida law, if you incur 12 points within a 12-month period, your license will be suspended, and you will be stripped of your driving privileges. Fortunately, you can earn back your right to the road when you complete an approved driver improvement course.

Additionally, frequently accumulating points on your license can result in an increase in your car insurance rate.

Your carrier can't raise your rate if you just have one noncriminal traffic infraction on your record. But, if you commit a second violation within 18 months, are caught a third time within 36 months, exceed the county’s speed limit by more than 15 mph or cause an accident, your auto insurance company is no longer restricted. They can either raise your rate or refuse to renew your policy.

Taking these driver improvement courses will, therefore, give you more breathing room by reducing the weight of your points.

Basic defensive driving course providers in Florida

Like most states, traffic schools in Florida offer defensive driving courses both in a classroom (in person) or through an online tutorial on their website. The curriculum may vary by school, but mandated topics covered are:

Compare basic defensive driving course providers approved and certified by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. When looking at courses, make sure the price includes fees for certificate processing, state assessment and any credit card handling.

Florida defensive driver programs and information

Mature driver program course providers in Florida

Mature driver programs offered in Florida are set up to accommodate senior citizens' unique needs. Traffic schools such as the American Safety Institute let you choose from an online course you can take in the comfort of your home, classroom locations throughout the state and even driving lessons behind the wheel.

Mature driver programs cover the following topics:

Here are some of Florida's approved mature driver courses. Make sure to research each to find the format or location that's best for you. Also pay attention to the listed price and verify if it includes fees for certificate processing, state assessment and any credit card handling.

Florida mature driver programs and information