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1. Who may make an election to attend driver improvement school?

Any person charged with a moving or non-moving violation, other than violations involving driver licenses, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, serious accidents, or leaving a child under the age of six unattended in a vehicle, is eligible to elect to attend a driver improvement course in lieu of accumulating points on their driver history record.

2. What is the benefit of making an election?

An election to attend a driver improvement course to satisfy the violation will be entered on your driver history record as an "adjudication withheld". In other words, no points will be assessed against your driver's license.

3. Do I have to pay to elect a driver improvement course?

Yes, the civil penalty is required and established by law.

The Martin County Bar Association provides access to Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) approved courses through Florida Online Traffic School. You may look under "Driver Instruction" in the Yellow Pages of local phone books. You may access information about Basic Driver Improvement Courses and providers through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

4. How can I elect to attend a driver improvement course?

• You may come to any of the Clerk's Office locations to make your election, or 
• Fill in Option 3 of the Traffic Citation Guide provided by the officer at the time you were cited for the violation, and upon completion, mail to Clerk of the Circuit Court, 100 SE Ocean Blvd., Stuart, FL 34994, or
• If you did not receive a Traffic Citation Guide at the time of the stop, download the guide and complete Option 3 on this form, and mail to Clerk of the Circuit Court, 100 SE Ocean Blvd., Stuart, FL 34994.

5. What do I do after I have made the election to attend the driver improvement course?

After you have completed and mailed your election to the Clerk, contact an approved school to arrange a schedule for the course. You will need to be prepared to pay for the course at the time you enroll. You must attend and complete the course and provide proof of completion to the Clerk's Office within 60 calendar days of your election. If you fail to meet any one of these requirements, you will be required to pay a civil penalty. In addition, a late fee will be owed, your driver's license will be suspended, a reinstatement fee to reinstate your privilege to drive will be required, and a conviction of the violation will be reported on your driver history record.

6. How many times can I elect to attend a driver improvement course?

You may make an election to attend a driver improvement course to satisfy an eligible traffic violation one time in a 12 month period, but no more than five times in your lifetime. If you elect to attend but fail to satisfy the requirements, the election will still count towards the five allowed.

7. What if I receive a ticket outside of Martin County?

For information on the election requirements and costs involved, contact the traffic department of the Clerk's Office for the County in which you received the citation. For information on the driver improvement course locations, hours and costs, contact an approved school.

8. How can I obtain a list of traffic schools?

• The Martin County Bar Association provides access to Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) approved courses through Florida Online Traffic School.
• You may look under "Driver Instruction" in the Yellow Pages of local phone books.
• You may access information about Basic Driver Improvement Courses and providers through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.