Can I Take Traffic School for 30 or 50 Over in Florida?

Florida drivers often ask whether they can attend traffic school after receiving a speeding ticket, especially if the violation involved going 30 mph or even 50 mph over the posted speed limit. Receiving a traffic ticket for driving 30 or 50 mph over the limit triggers different legal procedures and penalties compared to minor violations. While traffic school can help avoid points and reduce insurance premiums for many minor violations, Florida law treats higher-end speeding violations differently. In cases involving dangerous speeds, school zones, or mandatory hearings, you may not be allowed to simply elect a basic driver improvement course.

This guide explains how traffic school works in Florida, when you can and cannot use it for speeding tickets, and what the consequences are if you are cited for speeding thirty miles or more over the limit.

Introduction to Traffic School

Traffic school, also known as driving school or defensive driving school, is a program designed to help drivers improve their knowledge of Florida traffic laws and safe driving practices. In Florida, traffic school is often offered as an option for drivers who have received a speeding ticket or other traffic violation. By enrolling in a basic driver improvement course, drivers can take proactive steps to avoid points being added to their driving record, which can help prevent increases in their insurance premium and keep their driving privileges intact.

The Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course is the most common type of traffic school in Florida. This course can be completed online or in-person, making it convenient for drivers with busy schedules. After finishing the course, drivers receive a completion certificate, which must be submitted to the court or county clerk to ensure that points are not added to their record. Attending traffic school is not only a way to avoid points and higher insurance premiums, but it also helps drivers become more informed about Florida traffic laws and safer driving habits. Whether you’re dealing with a minor speeding ticket or another moving violation, traffic school can be a valuable tool for Florida drivers looking to protect their record and avoid further penalties.

What Traffic School Means in Florida

In Florida, “traffic school” typically refers to the basic driver improvement course approved by Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. By electing to attend driver improvement school after a civil traffic infraction, drivers can:

• Avoid points being assessed on their driving record
• Avoid higher insurance premiums with some insurance companies
• Meet court requirements when ordered to complete traffic school

Drivers must complete traffic school within 30 days of electing the option and must provide proof of completion to the county clerk or clerk’s office that received the citation.

Eligibility for Traffic School

Not every driver or violation qualifies for traffic school. Florida law sets limits on when a person can attend traffic school:

• You can elect traffic school once every 12 months and no more than five times in a lifetime
• Traffic school is available for certain civil traffic citations, such as minor speeding, failure to stop at a stop sign, or other moving violations
• You cannot elect traffic school if your traffic citation requires a mandatory hearing, such as speeding thirty miles or more over the posted limit or failure to stop for a school bus

If you were cited for reckless driving or charged criminally, traffic school is not an option.

30 mph Over the Limit

When a driver is cited for going 30 mph over the limit, Florida Statute 318.19 requires a mandatory court appearance. This means:

• You cannot simply pay the ticket online
• You cannot avoid points by electing traffic school on your own
• You must attend a court appearance before a judge or hearing officer
• The judge may impose fines, court costs, and order you to complete traffic school or a basic driver improvement course as part of the sentence

Fines for a 30 mph over ticket can be several hundred dollars, plus additional penalties if the speeding occurred in a construction zone or school zone.

50 mph Over the Limit

If you were cited for going 50 mph or more over the limit, penalties are even more severe under Florida’s super speeder law. These violations come with:

• Mandatory hearing before a judge
• Mandatory fines of at least $1,000 for a first offense, $2,500 for a second offense with a one year suspension, and $5,000 for subsequent offenses with the possibility of longer suspension or revocation
• License suspension for repeat violations
• Points added to your license in addition to fines and civil penalty amounts

Because these violations require a mandatory court appearance, you cannot elect to attend traffic school to avoid points. The court may order you to complete a course, but you cannot avoid the mandatory penalties.

How Much Is a Ticket for 30 Over in Florida

Fines vary by county, but generally:

• 30 mph over the limit will cost between $300 and $500 in fines and court costs
  Paying the fine is one way to resolve the citation, but paying may result in points being added to your driving record.
• Additional penalties apply if the violation occurred in a construction zone, a school zone, or near a stopped school bus
• The judge may add a civil penalty, points, and order traffic school as part of the sentence

If you fail to appear at your mandatory hearing, you risk license suspension and additional penalties.

How Long Do I Have to Take Traffic School in Florida

Drivers who are eligible for traffic school must elect the option within 30 days of receiving the citation. They must then complete the basic driver improvement course by the deadline set by the county clerk, typically within 60 to 90 days. Failure to submit proof of traffic school completion by the deadline, including submitting proof through the required process, can result in points being added to your driving record, higher insurance premiums, or even suspension.

Special Situations: School Zones and Construction Zones

If the speeding occurred in a school zone or construction zone, fines are doubled and penalties increase. In some cases, heavy traffic conditions can contribute to speeding violations in these areas, and judges may consider this factor when reviewing the case. Judges often order attendance at driving school or driver improvement school in these cases. A driver cannot simply elect traffic school to avoid points if the citation required a mandatory hearing.

Aircraft Speed Detection and Radar

Some tickets for 30 mph or more over the limit come from aircraft speed detection or radar speed detection. A traffic stop may occur when officers use these detection methods to identify speeding violations. In these cases, the citation may include evidence from pilots, troopers, or officers using stopwatch timing, laser detectors, or radar equipment. If convicted, you cannot avoid points by attending traffic school unless the judge orders it as part of sentencing.

License Suspension and Points

Accumulating too many points within a certain amount of time can result in license suspension. For example:

• 12 points within 12 months = 30 day suspension
• 18 points within 18 months = three month suspension
• 24 points within 36 months = one year suspension

A single citation for 30 mph over or 50 mph over adds a significant number of points to your record. Repeat violations create a real possibility of driver license suspension, putting your driving privileges at risk.

Insurance Consequences

Even if you are allowed to attend traffic school, your insurance company may raise your premiums after a serious speeding violation. While some insurers honor the protection traffic school provides, many still adjust rates when a driver has multiple speeding violations or a serious citation on file.

Benefits of Traffic School

Attending traffic school in Florida offers several important benefits for drivers who have received a speeding ticket or other traffic violations. One of the main advantages is the ability to avoid points on your driving record. Accumulating points from traffic violations can lead to higher insurance premiums, potential license suspension, and even the risk of losing your license altogether. By completing traffic school, drivers can prevent these points from being added, helping to maintain a clean driving record and avoid the negative consequences that come with too many points.

In addition to protecting your driving record, traffic school can also make you a safer, more responsible driver. The course covers essential topics such as defensive driving techniques, the dangers of speeding, and how to avoid common traffic violations. Some insurance companies recognize the value of traffic school and may offer discounts on your insurance premiums after you complete the course. Overall, traffic school is a smart way for Florida drivers to take control of their driving record, reduce the impact of a speeding ticket, and minimize the risk of future violations or license suspension.

When Traffic School Leads to Dismissal

For minor civil infractions, electing traffic school often results in outright dismissal of points. In some cases, choosing traffic school can also help you avoid fines for minor violations, but this option is not available for more serious offenses.

In more serious cases, such as 30 mph over, the judge may allow traffic school but you will still face fines and court costs. Outright dismissal is not available for mandatory hearing violations or super speeder citations.

Importance of Safe Driving

Safe driving is crucial for everyone on Florida’s roads, from drivers to pedestrians and cyclists. Speeding, reckless driving, and failure to stop at signals are leading causes of accidents and serious injuries across the state. By participating in traffic school, drivers gain a deeper understanding of the risks associated with unsafe driving behaviors and learn how to make better decisions behind the wheel.

Traffic school emphasizes the importance of obeying speed limits, being alert in school zones and construction zones, and understanding the consequences of accumulating too many points on your driving record. In Florida, drivers who receive too many points within a certain period may face a three month suspension or even a one year suspension of their driver’s license. This makes it even more important to prioritize safe driving and take advantage of educational opportunities like traffic school. By staying informed and committed to safe driving practices, drivers can avoid citations, prevent license suspension, and help keep Florida’s roads safer for everyone.

Why Representation Matters

Traffic school is a valuable tool, but it is not available in every case. For serious speeding tickets, you need an attorney to help fight the charges, reduce fines, and protect your driving privileges. An attorney can help interpret the relevant Florida statutes to build a strong defense based on the legal definitions and procedures governing traffic violations. Attorney David A. Haenel, who leads SuperSpeederLawyer.com, has represented thousands of Florida drivers in traffic court. As a former prosecutor and chair of the Florida Bar Traffic Court Rules Committee, he understands how to negotiate for reduced penalties, outright dismissal when possible, or court-ordered driving school in place of harsher sanctions. SuperSpeederLawyer.com is a branch of The Law Place, a statewide firm with decades of combined experience.

FAQs

Can I go to traffic school for a speeding ticket in Florida

Yes, if the violation is a minor civil infraction. For 30 mph or more over the limit or 50 mph over the limit, you cannot elect traffic school because a mandatory court appearance is required. The judge may still order you to attend a basic driver improvement course.

How much is a ticket for 30 over in Florida

The typical fine for this violation is generally between $300 and $500 plus court costs, with higher fines in school zones and construction zones. A mandatory hearing is required.

How long do I have to take traffic school in Florida

You must elect the option within 30 days of the citation and complete the course by the deadline set by the county clerk, usually 60 to 90 days.

What is the mature driver course in Florida

This is a separate course designed for drivers age 55 and older to refresh safe driving skills and sometimes reduce insurance premiums. It is not the same as the basic driver improvement course.

Call for a Free Consultation

If you have received a ticket for going 30 mph over or 50 mph over the speed limit in Florida, traffic school may not be an option. Contact SuperSpeederLawyer.com for a free consultation. Led by attorney David A. Haenel and supported by The Law Place, our attorneys will review your citation, explain whether traffic school applies, and fight to protect your driver’s license and driving record.