If you're a resident of Longboat Key, North Port, Sarasota, or Venice, have a Florida Driver's license, or you received a traffic ticket in Florida, then traffic school may be for you! By electing traffic school you may be able to avoid points on your driver's license, and maintain your clean driving record.

A civil traffic infraction is a non-criminal charge issued by a law enforcement officer in the form of a citation or traffic ticket. In most instances, a civil traffic infraction may be disposed of by: a payment of a civil penalty, otherwise known as a fine, the election and completion of an authorized driver improvement course, or hearing before the Court. You may request any of these options by completing the Traffic Citation Option Form and returning it to the Clerk of the Court within 30 days.

There are 29 Driver School Course Providers in Florida. Traffic schools are listed in your local telephone directory under "driving instruction" or "traffic schools. To find online you can click here for a list of approved Florida DMV approved traffic schools. The cost of traffic school is around $22 to $44.

Sarasota County Traffic School Benefits

1. Your insurance rates cannot go up and your policy cannot be canceled unless you are at fault in a crash.

F.S. 626.9541(1)(o)12; 318.14(9) and(10)

2. Points may not be added to your driver's license record, adjudication of guilt is withheld, safe driver status is maintained if applicable.

F.S. 318.14(9); s .322.27; 318.18(3)

3. Available at home (Internet or Video/DVD) or in the Classroom

4. If you caused a crash that required someone, including yourself, to be transported to a medical facility, the election would satisfy the statutory requirement to attend a Traffic Collision Avoidance Course.

F.S. 322.0261