Florida Wireless Communications Device Course
Benefits of the Wireless Communications Device (WCD) Course
If you've been cited for texting while driving in Florida, completing a Florida DHSMV-approved Wireless Communications Device (WCD) course can help you satisfy court requirements and reinforce safer driving habits. This course offers several key benefits:
- Ticket Resolution: Satisfies court-ordered requirements for certain distracted driving violations, especially those related to texting while driving.
- Avoid Additional Penalties: In some cases, taking the WCD course may prevent the imposition of points or additional fines on your driving record.
- Become a Safer Driver: Learn how mobile device use affects reaction times, increases crash risk, and what strategies can help you avoid these dangers.
This course is designed to educate drivers about Florida's distracted driving laws and promote hands-free driving for a safer road environment.
What is the WCD Course
The Wireless Communications Device Course is a driver improvement program approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). It focuses specifically on the risks of distracted driving (particularly texting while driving) and teaches techniques to minimize distractions and improve awareness behind the wheel.
Florida law requires completion of this course in certain cases, such as a second offense for using a wireless device in a school or construction zone.
How to Find a WCD Course Approved by FLHSMV
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) maintains a list of approved Wireless Communications Device (WCD) course providers. These providers meet the state's standards for driver improvement training related to distracted driving violations. American Safety Institute is a reputable online provider which offers state-approved WCD courses that you can complete from home.
Who Needs to Take This Course
You may be required to complete the WCD course if:
- You received a second or subsequent citation for texting while driving
- Your citation occurred in a school or work zone
- You've been ordered by a court to attend a WCD course
- The violation involved use of a wireless communications device while operating a vehicle
Note: Always check with the court or FLHSMV to confirm your eligibility and requirements for course completion.
What You'll Learn
The course covers essential topics like:
- Florida's Texting While Driving Law
- The dangers of distracted driving and multitasking
- Crash statistics and consequences of using a phone behind the wheel
- How to adopt hands-free driving techniques
- Real-world strategies for staying focused on the road
Lessons are presented with interactive content, videos, and real-world scenarios to keep the material engaging and memorable.
How the Course Works
- Receive a citation or court referral for a distracted driving offense
- Enroll in a WCD course online at your convenience
- Complete the course at your own pace—pause and resume anytime
- Pass the required quizzes and final exam
- Your completion is electronically reported to the FLHSMV
- Provide a completion certificate to the court if required
The course is fully online and typically takes just a few hours to complete. Free retakes are usually offered in case you don't pass the exam on your first attempt.
24–72 hours after successful traffic school completion, you can use Traffic School/Driver Improvement course completion check online tool provided by FLHSMV to check if results appeared in the system.