What counts as DMV-approved online traffic school in Florida
Florida's Department of Motor Vehicles does not run traffic school itself. Instead, the state approves private traffic school providers — both online and in-person — and publishes a list of them. When you complete a course through one of these approved providers, the school reports your completion directly to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). That report is what removes the points from your driving record or dismisses the ticket, depending on which program you used.
The key difference: you cannot just take any online traffic school course and expect it to count. The provider must be on Florida's official approved list. If it is not, the course will not be reported to DHSMV, and you will still have the ticket or points on your record.
Most approved online providers in Florida charge between $25 and $50 for the course, though prices vary. The course itself is usually four hours long and can be completed in one sitting or spread across multiple days — you log in and out as you choose.
Key Takeaways
- Only traffic schools on Florida's DHSMV-approved provider list will have their completion reports accepted by the state, so verify the provider before you pay.
- You can find the official list on the DHSMV website under "Traffic School Providers" — it includes the provider name, course type, and whether they offer online options.
- Online courses are self-paced and typically take four hours to complete, and you can start and stop whenever you want during the course period.
- After you finish, the approved provider sends your completion certificate to DHSMV automatically — you do not need to mail anything yourself.
- You must complete the course before your court date or the important date listed on your ticket, or the dismissal or point reduction will not go through.
How to find an approved provider on the DHSMV list
Go to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website (flhsmv.gov) and search for "Traffic School Providers" or "Approved Traffic Schools." The state publishes a searchable list of all approved providers, organized by county and by whether they offer online courses.
When you look at the list, you will see the provider's name, their phone number, website, and a note about what type of course they offer — online, classroom, or both. Some providers offer only classroom courses, so you need to check that column to confirm they have an online option. The list is updated regularly as providers are added or removed, so this is the only source you should trust.
Once you have found a provider that offers online courses in your area, visit their website directly. Do not search for them through a third-party site or a comparison tool — go straight to the provider's own website. There, you will see the course cost, how long it takes, and what you need to bring (usually your driver's license number and ticket information).
What information you need before you start the course
Have your driver's license and your traffic ticket or citation in front of you before you begin. The online course will ask for your license number, your case number (from the ticket), and sometimes your date of birth. If you cannot find your case number, it is usually printed on the front of the ticket or citation.
You will also need to know which county issued your ticket, because some approved providers only serve certain counties. If your provider does not serve your county, you will need to choose a different one from the list.
Keep your course completion certificate or confirmation number once you finish. Most approved providers send the report to DHSMV automatically, but you may need the confirmation number if there is a delay or if you need to prove to the court that you completed the course.
How the course works and what to expect
When you log into the course, you will see video lessons, reading material, and a final test. The course covers Florida traffic laws, safe driving practices, and the consequences of traffic violations. You can pause, log out, and come back later — the course will save your progress. Most people finish in one or two sittings, though you have several days or weeks to complete it depending on the provider's policy.
At the end, you will take a test. You usually need to score at least 80 percent to pass. If you do not pass on the first try, most providers let you retake the test. Once you pass, the course is complete, and the provider's system will generate a completion certificate with your name, the date, and a confirmation number.
The provider then sends this completion information to DHSMV electronically. This usually happens within one to three business days, though some providers are faster. You do not need to print anything or mail anything to the court — the approved provider handles the reporting.
When the completion report reaches DHSMV and the court
After the provider sends your completion report to DHSMV, the state processes it and updates your driving record. This can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks, depending on how busy DHSMV is. Once your record is updated, the court is notified automatically if you were supposed to complete the course as part of a ticket dismissal or point reduction deal.
If you were ordered by the court to complete traffic school, make sure you finish before the important date the judge gave you. If you miss that important date, the dismissal or point reduction will not happen, and you will still have the ticket and points on your record. The court does not send you a reminder — it is your responsibility to track the important date.
If you have not heard anything from the court or DHSMV within three weeks of completing the course, contact the provider to confirm they sent the report. You can also call the court that issued your ticket and ask whether they received your completion notice.
What happens if you cannot find an approved provider for your county
If the DHSMV list shows no approved online providers in your county, you have two options: take an in-person classroom course through an approved provider, or contact the court that issued your ticket and ask whether they will accept an online course from a provider in a nearby county.
Some courts are flexible about this, especially if no approved providers serve your area. Call the clerk of the court and explain your situation — they can tell you whether an out-of-county provider is acceptable. Get the answer in writing or note the name of the person who told you, in case there is a question later.
If the court will not accept an out-of-county provider, you will need to take an in-person course. The DHSMV list shows classroom locations and schedules for approved providers in your area.
Common issues and what to do about them
The provider's website says they are approved, but they are not on the DHSMV list. Do not use them. Scams and unapproved providers sometimes claim to be approved or say they are "just as good." Only providers on the official DHSMV list will have their completion reports accepted. If a provider is not on the state list, your completion will not count.
You completed the course, but the court says they never received your completion notice. Contact the provider when ready and ask them to resend the report to DHSMV and the court. Ask for a confirmation that they sent it. If the provider cannot or will not resend it, contact DHSMV directly at the phone number on their website and ask them to look up your completion record. You may need to provide your confirmation number from the course.
You missed the court important date to complete the course. Contact the court that issued your ticket right away. Some courts will give you a short extension if you were close to the important date and can show proof that you completed the course. Others will not. The sooner you call, the better your chances of working something out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take an online traffic school course from another state if I live in Florida?
No. Only Florida-approved providers will have their completion reports accepted by DHSMV. If you take a course from an out-of-state provider, it will not be reported to Florida, and your ticket or points will remain on your record. Always use a provider on the official DHSMV list.
How much does a DMV-approved online traffic school course cost in Florida?
Prices vary by provider, but most approved online courses cost between $25 and $50. Some providers charge more if you want expedited processing or additional features. Check the provider's website for their exact price before you enroll.
Do I have to take the course all at once, or can I spread it over several days?
Most approved online providers let you log in and out as many times as you want during the course period. You can finish in one sitting or spread it across several days. Check your provider's policy on how long you have to complete the course — it is usually between 7 and 30 days from enrollment.
What if I fail the final test?
Most approved providers let you retake the test if you do not pass the first time. You usually need to score at least 80 percent. If you fail multiple times, contact the provider's customer service — they can answer questions about the material or let you review the lessons again before you retake the test.
Will taking an online traffic school course remove points from my license?
It depends on why you took the course. If the court ordered you to take it as part of a ticket dismissal, the points will be removed once DHSMV receives your completion report. If you took it voluntarily to reduce points on your record, check with DHSMV about their point reduction program — not all tickets may have access to, and the rules vary.