Miami-Dade Traffic School: Your Guide to Avoiding Points on Your License

Miami-Dade residents who receive civil traffic infractions have options to avoid points on their driver's license. Electing to attend traffic school can prevent points from being assessed, but specific rules and limitations apply.

This information is crucial for anyone cited for a moving violation, as understanding these options can save drivers from license suspensions, additional fees, and increased insurance premiums. The Clerk of the Court and Comptroller's office outlines the process for both standard traffic school and a specialized program for child restraint violations.

Understanding Your Traffic School Election

If you receive a civil traffic infraction, you can elect traffic school to satisfy the citation. This choice prevents points from being assessed against your license. However, this option does not apply to violations concerning tag, registration, driver's license, PIP insurance, tolls, or red light violations issued by a camera. Commercial driver's license holders also cannot use the traffic school option.

For standard traffic school, you can elect a 4-hour course once every 12 months, with a lifetime maximum of five times. If you are not eligible for the 4-hour course, a one-time 8-hour course is available. You can find a listing of school providers through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website or by searching online.

Specialized Program: Child Restraint Offender's Course (C.R.O.P.)

For those cited for a child restraint violation, the Child Restraint Offender's Program (C.R.O.P.) offers a specific pathway. Electing this program reduces the civil penalty and prevents points from being assessed. This course is a one-time lifetime option. Participants must attend the program at Miami Children's Hospital, located at 3100 S.W. 62 Avenue, Miami, FL 33155. To register, call the hospital at 305-663-6865. Participants must bring their child restraint seat to class.

Important Deadlines and Consequences of Non-Compliance

For standard traffic school, the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller must receive your certificate of completion within 120 days of the date you paid the citation or appeared in court. Certificates can be mailed to the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller, PO BOX 19321, Miami, Florida 33101-9321. Failure to comply within this 120-day window results in a license suspension, point assessment, and additional fees.

For the C.R.O.P. program, you have 60 days from either the date the citation was paid or the date you attended court to complete the course. Failing to complete C.R.O.P. within 60 days will lead to additional penalties, license suspension, and you will still be required to complete the course.