Defensive Driving Course

The 4-hour Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course is a state-approved program designed to help drivers improve their driving skills, dismiss eligible traffic citations, and maintain a clean driving record. The course is accepted by all Florida courts and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).

When you complete a BDI course, you may be eligible to:

• Dismiss a traffic citation (with court approval) • Prevent points from being added to your driving record • Avoid insurance premium increases (check with your provider) • Fulfill a court-ordered traffic school requirement • Maintain your Commercial Driver's License (CDL) status

The course covers defensive driving techniques, traffic laws, the effects of alcohol and drugs on driving, and strategies for avoiding accidents. It's designed to make you a safer, more aware driver — not just to check a box.

There are several reasons drivers in Broward County take our BDI course:

Court-Ordered: If a judge has ordered you to complete traffic school as part of a citation or plea agreement, our BDI course satisfies the requirement. The course is accepted by all Broward County courts.

Voluntary Ticket Dismissal: Even if the court hasn't ordered it, you may be eligible to dismiss a traffic citation by completing the BDI course. This prevents points from appearing on your record and can keep your insurance rates from increasing. Check with the court that issued your citation for eligibility.

Insurance Reduction: Many Florida insurance providers offer a discount to drivers who voluntarily complete a BDI course. The discount typically lasts for three years. Contact your insurance company to see if you qualify.

Personal Improvement: Some drivers take the course simply to refresh their knowledge and become safer drivers. There's no requirement to have a ticket — anyone can benefit from defensive driving education.

Whatever your reason, our course meets all Florida state requirements and is accepted by every court in the state.

The BDI course is 4 hours long, as required by Florida law. We offer it on-site at our Margate location, and no appointment is needed — just walk in during our business hours. The course is interactive and informative, covering:

• Defensive driving techniques: How to anticipate and avoid dangerous situations • Traffic laws and right-of-way rules: A refresher on the rules of the road • The effects of alcohol and drugs on driving ability and reaction time • Distracted driving: The dangers of texting, eating, and other distractions • Aggressive driving and road rage: How to stay calm and avoid confrontation • Vehicle maintenance and safety features • Crash dynamics and how to reduce injury severity

Our certified instructors use a combination of lecture, video, discussion, and practical examples to keep the course engaging. We understand that spending 4 hours in a classroom isn't anyone's idea of fun, so we work to make the material relevant, practical, and even enjoyable.

Upon completion, you'll receive a certificate that you can submit to the court or your insurance company. We'll also electronically report your completion to the state where required.

In addition to the 4-hour BDI course, Americar Driving School offers two other state-approved traffic school programs that Broward County drivers may need:

8-Hour Aggressive Driving Course: This court-ordered course is required for drivers cited for aggressive driving behaviors such as excessive speeding, tailgating, or reckless lane changes. The 8-hour program covers defensive driving in greater depth and addresses the specific behaviors that led to the citation.

12-Hour Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI): This course is required for drivers who have accumulated too many points on their license, had their license suspended, or are repeat traffic offenders. The 12-hour program provides comprehensive driver education and behavioral intervention.

All three courses are taught by certified instructors using the official Florida curriculum. No appointment is needed for any of them — just walk in during our business hours at 2404 North State Road 7 in Margate. We serve drivers from Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, North Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Tamarac, Fort Lauderdale, and throughout Broward County.

Call us at 954-515-8155 for more information or to confirm which course you need.