(A Nationwide Guide with State-Approved References)
Sure, anyone can get a traffic ticket, but what comes after can be a game changer.
A Defensive Driving Course is an educational class, but more importantly an opportunity to reduce ticketed charges, lower points on your license, become a safer driver and most importantly, lower your auto insurance premiums.
Most states in the United States allow this training to be completed online, making the completion of the training even more convenient.
What is a Defensive Driving Course?
A Defensive Driving Course (other times known as Traffic School or Driver Improvement Program) teaches the practical driving skills of avoiding accidents and encourages the driver to ‘drive safe’.
According to your states rules, completing a defensive driving program can:
- Keep a traffic citation from your driving record and public record.
- Reduce points on your driving record.
- Satisfy a court order after a moving violation.
- Secure an insurance discount with certain carriers.
- Help you revise state traffic laws.Stored and safe driving techniques.
Courses can be completed in an online format or in-person, provided through state-funded professionals, like OnlineTrafficEducation.com, which has certified programs that many courts and DMVs throughout the country recognize.
Why Take a Defensive Driving Course Online?
Here’s a list of reasons for the millions of Americans who decide to do their training online.
- Flexibility – You can access the training materials from home and study at your own pace. Courses are available 24/7.
- Court and DMV Approval – Online offerings are legally valid in many states since they are designed to meet and follow state requirements.
- Quick Certificate Issuance – OnlineTrafficEducation.com and similar providers directly report completion to the court or DMV electronically in states that recognize this practice.
- Insurance Savings – DMV-approved courses can offer significant savings on your insurance premiums. This varies by state, but many insurance providers offer course completion discounts.
Defensive Driving Course Rules by State
(Official government sources)
California
- The California judicial branch lets eligible drivers complete a defensive driving or traffic violator course every 18 months to mask a minor infraction.
- “If you’re eligible, you can go to traffic school to hide a point on your record. Your court notice should say if you’re eligible.”
— California Courts Self-Help Guide
Texas
- Driving Safety Courses (DSC) is Texas’s version of defensive driving, and the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) also supervises this.
- If eligible, drivers can take the program for ticket dismissal or for an insurance discount provided they have not done so in the previous 12 months.
– Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation
- Most Texas Courts accept completions of defensive driving online from TDLR approved providers, including OnlineTrafficEducation.com.
Florida
- The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles FLHSMV provides a Basic Driver Improvement BDI course which is equivalent to defensive driving.
- Over a 12 month period and up to a lifetime total of 5 times, drivers can choose to take this for certain non-criminal moving violations up to 5 times in a lifetime.
– FLHSMV – Driver Improvement Schools
New York
- In New York, the Point and Insurance Reduction Program PIRP allows the completion of a DMV approved defensive driving course in either format.
New York State DMV
- This will reduce up to four points and give an insurance discount of 10 for three years.
– New York State DMV
Georgia
- The Georgia Department of Driver Services DDS allows drivers to complete a certified Driver Improvement course to remove 7 points from their record.
– Georgia DDS – Points Reduction
Arizona
- In Arizona the Defensive Driving Courses for ticket dismissal is overseen by the Arizona Supreme Court.
- As long as your infraction is on the list of eligible infractions and you have not completed a class for an eligible citation within the past year, you qualify.
– Arizone Judicial Branch – Defensive Driving Program
Virginia
- The Virginia DMV licenses both online and classroom instruction for defensive driving clinics.
- Drivers may do the course voluntarily for an insurance discount and/or as a court requirement.
– Virginia DMV – Driver Improvement Clinics
Michigan
- After a traffic infraction, certain drivers in Michigan may complete the Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) and not have points assessed to their insurance.
- The course may be completed online through state-approved sponsors.
– Michigan Secretary of State – BDIC
New Jersey
- New Jersey’s Motor Vehicle Commission Defensive Driving Program is the only program in the state that allows drivers to potentially qualify for a discount on their insurance premiums, and remove two points from their driving record every five years.
– New Jersey MVC – Driver Programs
Nevada
- The DMV in Nevada provides a list of certified Traffic Safety Schools and Defensive Driving Courses.
- These may be taken as part of a ple agreement, and, for the reduction of demerit points on your driving record.
— DMV Nevada – Traffic Safety School
Enrolling in Online Defensive Driving Courses
- To begin, determine your eligibility, which can be found on your citation, your state’s DMV website, or your state’s court website.
- Choose an approved state provider, for example, OnlineTrafficEducation.com, to register.
- After registration, you can complete the course at your own pace. The majority of courses take approximately 4-6 hours to complete.
- After course completion, you will receive a certificate. The certificate must be filed as proof of course completion and submitted to your court or DMV, as appropriate.
- Lastly, check your state’s court rules and your driving record to confirm your points have been reduced and the ticket dismissed.
Example with a Local Human Touch
In [Your County], [Your State], the court is aware that drivers often use an online defensive driving course to meet the requirements for the course or to reduce the costs of their insurance.
If you have been given a minor ticket, check your court’s official website, or call the clerk to confirm ticket eligibility. Once approved, you can take the course online, through OnlineTrafficEducation.com.
It is also helpful online defensive driving courses can aid in improving and protecting your driving record while approximate 4-6 hours can also be saved.
Final Thoughts
Taking a Defensive Driving Course is a simple and effective step to take in improving your record which most insurance companies offer a discount on for completing.
Every state provides its own implementation — yet the essential concept does not change: drive smarter, not faster.
You can take care of your ticket with the utmost confidence and responsibility from home, as long as you follow the proper state DMV or court instructions and use an officially sanctioned provider, such as OnlineTrafficEducation.com.
