Can Traffic School Erase The Points From That Ticket?

The privilege of driving in Florida hinges on maintaining a clean driving record. However, any number of driving violations can add points to your record. Too many points in a certain timeframe will result in suspension of your driver’s license for a stated period of time. If you’ve received a traffic ticket, contact an Orlando traffic violation attorney with 911 Biker Law.

Situations For Traffic School In Florida

There are a number of situations where the points for a traffic offense can be removed by completing traffic school. Some of the most frequent situations are:

• Speeding, including resulting in an accident;
• Driving with an open container of alcohol;
• Littering;
• Reckless driving;
• Child safety restraint violation; and
• Passing a school bus with stop signal displayed.

If you choose to fight your traffic citation in court, you’ll want an experienced traffic defense attorney in Orlando. 911 Biker Law is available around-the-clock to assist with any traffic citation that you receive. Our attorneys defend and fight for your rights by working diligently to discover the facts of your case with the utmost professionalism.

How Traffic School Works

When you go to traffic school, the ticket will remain on your Florida driving record but the points will be reduced upon completion of traffic school. The points reduction may also cut down any insurance increase you may be facing from your car insurance company.

Points & Time Periods

Each infraction has an amount of points assigned to it. When your license will be suspended depends on how many points you accumulate within a certain amount of time.

• 12 points within 12 months – 30 day suspension
• 18 points within 18 months – 3 month suspension
• 24 points within 36 months – 1 year suspension

Keep in mind your license can be automatically suspended for failure to pay child support, drug or alcohol-related offenses, failure to pay traffic fines, and/or street racing.

Difference Between Traffic Schools

The main difference between traffic schools is length of time to complete. The Basic Driver Improvement course is four hours long, while the 3-in-3 Driver Change Course takes 12 hours to complete.

Basic Driver Improvement

To have Basic Driver Improvement apply towards reducing points, you must elect to take the course within 30 days of receiving the traffic citation and attending the class. Basic Driver Improvement is mandatory if you are cited for:

• Electing to attend rather than having points added to your license;
• You were the at-fault driver in a crash which resulted in someone being taken to the hospital;
• You’ve had two crashes within a two-year period resulting in property damage greater than $500; or
• You were convicted of one of the following in Florida or in another state while holding a Florida drivers license:
  • Passing a stopped school bus when the stopped signal was displayed;
  • Street racing or as a street racing spectator;
  • Reckless driving; or
  • Running a red light

Advanced Driver Improvement

An Advanced Driver Improvement course is mandatory for drivers who have had their driver’s license suspended for an accumulation of points, as a habitual traffic offender, or by court order.

3-in-3 Driver Change Course

Also called the three crashes in three years law, this course requires anyone who was convicted of or pled nolo contendere to a third traffic offense causing a crash within 36 months to take a 12-hour Advanced Driver Improvement course. This course includes behind-the-wheel training and an assessment of the individual’s driving ability. It must be completed within 90 days of the traffic offense notification to avoid having your license cancelled.

When Traffic School Doesn’t Apply

Traffic school is generally required for non-DUI (driving under the influence) traffic offenses. A DUI charge may require separate programs for license reinstatement. Also, drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) aren’t eligible to go to traffic school to remove points from their driving record. Drivers are also limited to attending traffic school once in a 12 month period and no more than five times during their lifetime.

Contact An Orlando Traffic Attorney

When you receive a traffic citation, it may seem the path of least resistance is to pay the fine and accept the points on your driving record. However, from traffic school to having the representation of a traffic defense lawyer with 911 Biker Law, you have options. We review your case, gather evidence, and fight for your driving privileges from beginning to end. If you’ve received a traffic citation in Florida, call 911 Biker Law today!