There's lots of fun to be had in Tampa between its world-class theme parks and beautiful Gulf Coast beaches. It's a shame when a traffic violation throws a wrench in your day. But when you want or need to take traffic school, it doesn't have to be a huge hassle. Nowadays, you can complete in as little as one day.
Read on to learn all you need to know about how to take traffic school in Tampa.
How to Take Traffic School in Tampa
When you need to sign up for traffic school, where do you start?
First, it's important to understand that traffic school is regulated by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). In order for your course to count, you need to be sure you register with a course provider that is authorized.
Aside from that, where you take traffic school depends on the mode of delivery that you prefer. If you would like to take it online, you certainly can. State-authorized providers like I Drive Safely offer online courses that enable you to enroll, complete the course, and have it sent to Florida's authorized driving services, all without leaving your house. Plus, you can choose from an audio, video, or text-based course format.
On the other hand, if you prefer a classroom course, you will need to select a time and date when a provider near you is holding the class. Then, you will need to go to the physical location and complete the course in-person.
How Does Traffic School in Tampa Work?
Once you find the course provider that works best for you, you'll register for the traffic school course you need to take. In Florida, there are a variety of courses ranging from four to twelve hours. The more serious your traffic offense(s), the longer the course you'll likely need to take. More on that below.
Once you register for the course, you'll need to complete the program with the timeframe you've been given by the court. When you finish, the course provider will send the completion certificate to Florida's driving services on your behalf. However, you'll still need to provide your notice of completion to the court. Then, if your traffic school was voluntary, be sure to check your driving record to ensure the points didn't show up.
Which Traffic School Course Do You Need to Take in Tampa?
Which traffic school course do you need to take? The court should notify you of the specific course that is required from the following:
Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDI)
The BDI course is four hours long and can be voluntary or required, depending on your situation. If you have a traffic ticket that is not a criminal offense, and you haven't taken traffic school in the past year, you can opt into traffic school to keep the ticket off your record. However, the court will require you to take the BDI if you commit certain offenses, and it will not keep the points off your record.
Defensive Driving Course (DDC)
The DDC is eight hours long and may be required by the court if you have received more than two traffic tickets within one year.
Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) Course
The ADI is 12 hours long and is court-ordered in certain situations such as if your license has been suspended due to too many points on your record.
In all cases where traffic school is required, the court will specify which traffic school course you need to take.
Start Traffic School in Tampa Online Today
Ready to get started? You can enroll with I Drive Safely's state-authorized online courses in minutes and can get started as soon as it fits into your schedule. Enroll in traffic school in Tampa now!