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Driver Improvement Schools (BDI/ADI)
THIS TRANSACTION MUST BE PROCESSED BY APPOINTMENT AT THE
DRIVER LICENSE OFFICE – 904 301 BLVD W, BRADENTON
Customers will be charged a $6.25 Tax Collector service fee for information and processing, and additional transaction fees may apply. Visit taxcollector.com to schedule your appointment. Services are for Manatee County residents and businesses only.
 
1. Basic Driver Improvement School (BDI) - 4 Hours
 
You must complete a Basic Driver Improvement School (also known as a Traffic Collision Avoidance Course/TCAC) if you want to retain your driver license privileges in the following circumstances:

 You were a driver in a crash and are found at fault and (1) someone was transported to the hospital, or (2) you had two crashes in a two-year period, which resulted in property damage greater than $500.  

 You were cited for passing a stopped school bus
 
 You were cited for reckless driving
 
 You were cited for running a red light  

If you receive a ticket for a non-criminal moving violation and you do not hold a commercial driver license, you may elect to attend a BDI School for the following reasons: 
 
  1. Insurance rates should not go up and your policy should not be cancelled because of the violation, unless it involved a crash where you were at fault.  In some cases, you may be eligible for insurance discounts; however, any discount is solely at the discretion of your insurance company.
  2. Points may not be added to your driver license record, adjudication of guilt is withheld, and your safe driver status is maintained, if applicable.
Attending a BDI School is entirely optional in the case of a non-criminal moving violation.

Note:  You can choose to attend a driver improvement course once in a 12-month period and no more than five times in a lifetime.  Visit mydmvportal.flhsmv.gov/home/en/publicweb/dlcheck to see if you are eligible.
 
2. Electing to Take Basic Driver Improvement School (BDI)
 
Within 30 days from the date you received the traffic citation and prior to attending class, you must:

 Inform the Clerk of Court in the county where you received the citation that you want to go to traffic school, and  

 Pay an election fee to the Clerk of Court in the county where you received the citation.  

You may contact the traffic school of your choice to register for the course.  However, traffic schools must be approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.  Traffic schools are listed in your local telephone directory under "driving instruction" or "traffic schools”.  And, approved providers are available at flhsmv.gov/ddl/bdis.html.
 
Note:  A full list of your options for satisfying your traffic citation is located on the back of the citation. You are required to choose one of the three options within 30 days of receiving the citation. 
                                                                                             
3. Points
 
If you choose to pay the civil penalty or are adjudicated guilty by a judge, your driver record will be assessed as follows:

Moving Violations.........................................................................3 Points          
Speeding 15 mph or less over posted speed....................3 Points 
Littering............................................................................................3 Points
Violation of child restraint laws...............................................3 Points     
Speeding more than 15 mph over posted speeds..................................4 Points    
Passing stopped school bus..............................................................................4 Points         
Moving violation (non-speeding) resulting in an crash..........................4 Points
Reckless driving (criminal traffic violation)...................................................4 Points
Unlawful speed resulting in a crash...................................................6 Points
Leaving scene of crash with damage................................................6 Points

If you accumulate:
4. Special Note for 15-17 Year Olds
 
If you are driving with a Florida Learner License, you must hold it for at least 12 months without a traffic conviction before you may apply for a Florida Class E License.  You may avoid conviction by electing to attend and completing a Basic Driver Improvement Course approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
 
If you are driving with a Florida Learner License or a Florida Class E License and you receive 6 points (regardless of time period), you are restricted to driving for business purposes only for 12 months or until you reach the age of 18.  (Restriction time is increased if additional points are accumulated.)
 
5. Advanced Driver Improvement School (ADI) - 12 Hours
 
If your driver license was suspended in Florida for points, or as a Habitual Traffic Offender (non-DUI related), or by court order, or you were cited for failure to render aid (“hit and run"), you must complete Advanced Driver Improvement School.  This school is also required when a customer convicted of racing on a highway (or being a spectator at a race) applies for early reinstatement (hardship license).

You may contact the traffic school of your choice to register for the course.  However, traffic schools must be approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.  Traffic schools are listed in your local telephone directory under "driving instruction" or "traffic schools”.  And, approved providers are available at flhsmv.gov/ddl/adicphone.html.
 
Visit mydmvportal.flhsmv.gov/home/en/publicweb/dlcheck to see if you are eligible.
 
6. Additional Information
 
 Visit flhsmv.gov/ddl/dicfaq.html for additional information on Driver Improvement Courses.
 
 Verify that your driving school has been added to your driver record online – or scan the QR code below to access the site.

 Check the status of your license at mydmvportal.flhsmv.gov/home/en/publicweb/dlcheck! 

 You can sign up for electronic notifications when citations and/or sanctions are added to your record online - or scan the QR code to access the site. 
 
 An Online Application is REQUIRED for all transactions! To complete your driver license or ID card transaction at one of our offices, you must complete the Online Driver License & ID Card Application (https://taxcollector.jotform.com/210103795736152) – or scan the QR code to access the application – prior to your appointment. Do not print the application; an associate will access your electronic submission during your appointment. Applications are valid for 90 days.
 
Not a Manatee County Resident? Our offices are open by appointment only for Manatee County residents/businesses only.  All out-of-county residents must visit their home county for information and processing.  To find a location visit flhsmv.gov/locations.
 
Cancellation_DriverImprovBDI/ADI – Last Update: 02/24/2022