Receiving a traffic ticket in Hillsborough County can be frustrating, stressful, and expensive. Fortunately, eligible Florida drivers may have options that can help reduce the long-term impact of a citation.

Why Traffic Tickets Happen to Good Drivers

“Why me? There are thousands of drivers doing the same thing — maybe even worse — so why did they pull me over?”

If you’ve recently received a traffic ticket in Hillsborough County, there’s a good chance you’ve had that exact thought.

Maybe it was bad luck. Maybe it was bound to happen sooner or later after one too many “rolling stops” or trying to beat Tampa traffic before getting stuck at Malfunction Junction for the next 45 minutes.

One moment you’re driving down I-275 thinking about work, dinner, or your next stop… and the next thing you know, those blue lights appear behind you.

It’s never a good feeling.

At Florida Pro Driving Academy, we understand because honestly — it can happen to almost anyone. Even us.

A brief lapse in judgment, driving distracted for a few seconds, speeding to keep up with traffic flow, or simply focusing on everything except driving can quickly lead to a ticket.

And let’s be honest — getting pulled over can feel embarrassing.

You immediately start wondering:
“Do I know anyone driving by right now?”

Hopefully not your child’s teacher.
Definitely not your pastor.
And preferably not your boss or coworkers — especially if you spend all day talking about responsibility and safe driving.

So, what do you do now?

You have a few options.

How Traffic School Can Help

You can simply pay the ticket, move on, and hope you don’t find yourself dealing with another ticket down the road.

Or, you can take the safer route.

Eligible drivers may elect to complete a 4-hour state-approved Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course — also known as traffic school or a defensive driving course.

Yes, four hours may sound like a long time. But successfully completing the course may help you avoid points being added to your license, which can also help reduce the long-term impact a ticket may have on your insurance costs.

Why Many Hillsborough Drivers Choose Online BDI

At Florida Pro Driving Academy, we’re here to help fellow Hillsborough County drivers protect their driving privileges and maintain their independence.

Our course is:

100% online
self-paced
state-approved
accessible anytime, day or night

Once you successfully complete the course, your completion is electronically submitted to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). The County Clerk’s Office will also receive notification of your completion.

Getting a ticket is frustrating enough.

Let us help make the process a little easier — and maybe even help you become a safer driver along the way.

Ready to get started?

Start Your Course Today

Frequently Asked Questions –

Is this course approved by the state of Florida?

Yes, we are approved by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and must follow their rules, regulations, and guidelines. Our course is state-authorized by Florida courts to meet all requirements for ticket dismissal and court-ordered traffic school in Hillsborough County.

Eligibility Questions

I’m not sure if I’m eligible to take this course. How do I find out?

We have all of the eligibility requirements and steps listed on our How it Works page. Generally, you are eligible in the state of Florida if you:

Hold a valid non-commercial driver’s license
Have been cited for a minor moving violation
Have NOT completed traffic school in the last 12 months
Have contacted your court within 30 days of your citation

If you are still unclear as to whether you qualify for traffic school, contact your court and request more information concerning your particular circumstances.

I live in Hillsborough County and received a citation in another Florida County or out of state. Can I still take this course?

Yes, you may still take our course. Communication will be sent to other Florida Counties, but not to out-of-state locations. Make sure to contact the court cited on your traffic ticket before enrollment.

Why should I take this course?

Dismiss a traffic ticket
Avoid points being added to your license
Meet a court requirement

Course Requirements

How do I successfully complete this course?

You must complete all lessons and receive an 80% or better on the final exam.

What is the testing and grading policy?

There are quizzes throughout the course. However, the only grade that counts towards successful completion is the final exam.

What will happen if I fail the final exam?

You will get unlimited attempts to retake the final test. Our objective is to ensure that everyone has a valid opportunity to pass the course.

Why does this course have timers?

This course is required by Florida law to span 4 hours in length. To comply with this law, we are required to place timers on each page of the course. We realize that some students may read faster than the timer will permit you to advance, but state regulations prohibit us from changing this function. The timers cannot be disabled for any reason.

Completion & Reporting

Can I print a completion certificate upon successfully completing the course?

Yes, upon successfully completing the course, you will be able to print a certificate. However, the official certificate that may need to be submitted to the Clerk of Courts will be emailed to you within 48 hours of completing the course.

Will you notify the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and the County Clerk’s Office of my completion?

We will notify the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles of your completion within 48 hours. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will then forward this information to the County Clerk’s Office. We strongly recommend following any specific reporting instructions provided by the Clerk’s Office where the citation was issued. Please do not wait or delay in completing the course, as there may be court reporting deadlines you need to meet.

Technical Questions

What type of device do I need to take the course?

This course can be accessed on multiple types of devices, including desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. However, for the best overall experience and full functionality, we strongly recommend completing the course on a computer. A larger screen provides better visibility of content, navigation controls, and interactive elements. We recommend using a stable Internet connection and closing unnecessary browser tabs.

Is there a time limit to complete the course?

Deadlines are typically determined by the Florida courts. While we allow you 30 days to complete your course before your access is suspended, the court may require you to finish your course much sooner than that. Make sure to determine your court’s deadline before beginning the course.

Regardless of court deadlines, you must complete the course within 30 days of registration. Any student who has not successfully completed the course within 30 days will be terminated without notice and will not be eligible for a refund.