how often can i take a defensive driving course

by Carmella Effertz 6 min read

Below are a few examples of state limits on defensive driving courses:

  • California: Every 18 months, unless approved by the court.
  • Texas: Every 12 months.
  • New York: Every 36 months.

You can take the defensive driving course every 18 months; this will reduce up to 4 points on your driving record. You may also take a course once every 3 years (36 months) to maintain your lower insurance rate.

Full Answer

When should one take a defensive driving course?

Usually, the only reason why you want to take this defensive driving course is that you want to get a ticket dismissed, take off some points on your driving records, or lower your car insurance by a little. Did you know that it can increase your rate by $45 on average and up to $80 or more and month?

How much do you save with defensive driving?

the answer varies by insurance provider. In most cases, motorists will save between 5% and 20% on their insurance premium as a result of earning a defensive driving discount. Car insurance discounts can vary from one company to another. However, most major insurers provide savings for defensive driving courses.

Why should everyone take a defensive driving course?

Why you Should Take a Defensive Driving Class

  • You Become Safer for Everyone. The more you learn the safer you become. ...
  • It Helps With More than Just Avoiding an Accident. There is more to a defensive driving class than just learning how to handle adverse weather conditions and oncoming auto accidents.
  • There is More than Just Lowering Auto Insurance. ...
  • Save Money on Your Auto Insurance! ...

How much does defensive driving save you?

While it varies by the insurance company, most offer a discount in the range of 5% to 15% to their customers who complete a defensive driving course. The discount typically lasts for three years, so the savings can really add up. In many cases, you can expect to save $500 or more over three years.

Can I take defensive driving twice in Texas?

So, yes, you can take defensive driving twice in Texas, but you might not be able to if you lived in a different state. In Texas, you can go to traffic school once every 12 months in order to get out of a traffic infraction like a ticket, provided you don't have a commercial driver's license.

How often can you take defensive driving Texas?

once every yearHow often can you take defensive driving in Texas? You can take a defensive driving course in Texas once every year for ticket dismissal. Insurance discounts for defensive driving courses expire every three years.

How long is a defensive driving course good for in NY?

3 yearsIt's Time To Renew! Every 3 years you must complete this state-approved defensive driving course to keep your mandatory car insurance discount through New York's Internet Point and Insurance Reduction Program.

How often can you take defensive driving in California?

once every 18 monthsYou may only attend a traffic violator school program for a ticket once every 18 months, unless you receive special permission from the court.

How do I get a speeding ticket off my record in Texas?

How to Dismiss a Traffic Ticket in TexasFirst make sure you are eligible to have the ticket dismissed. ... Register for the Texas Online Defensive Driving Course. ... Order your Certified Texas Driving Record, which all Texas courts will require in addition to your Certificate of Completion.More items...

How many times can I take a speed awareness course?

once every three yearsYou can only attend a speed awareness course once every three years, which means that if you commit another speeding offence in that period you will automatically receive a fine and points on your licence.

How often can you take the defensive driving course in New York State?

once every 36 monthsYou may take the course once every 36 months to keep your insurance reduction benefits.

How often can you take defensive driving NYC?

once every 3 yearsYou can take the defensive driving course every 18 months; this will reduce up to 4 points on your driving record. You may also take a course once every 3 years (36 months) to maintain your lower insurance rate. I have more than one person on my insurance policy.

How often can you take a point reduction class NY?

once every 36 monthsYou may take the course once every 36 months to maintain insurance reduction benefits.

How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record in California?

three yearsIn California, a speeding ticket remains on your record for three years. That means the point on your license from that speeding ticket can be used against you for three years. After three years, the point from a regular speeding ticket can no longer be used against you.

How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record?

three to five yearsHow long does a speeding ticket affect your driving record? A speeding ticket usually stays on your record for three to five years. Most states have a penalty system that assigns demerits to drivers for traffic violations. Every state differs in the amount of points assigned for each violation.

How long do points stay on your driving record?

4-11 yearsPoints can stay on your driving record for 4-11 years.

How many miles per hour is a defensive driving course?

These include: Driving at or over 25 miles per hour above the posted speed limit. Not having car insurance at the time of a violation or vehicle crash. A defensive driving course completion will be posted on your record once you have met all of the court’s requirements.

Why take defensive driving course?

The first and most important reason is that you will receive your completion certificate quickly via email.

What is a defensive driving course completion certificate?

A defensive driving course completion will be posted on your record once you have met all of the court’s requirements. The court will report it to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Turning in your completion certificate to the court is, therefore, an extremely important step.

How much is Texas driver safety online?

The online course is $25, the lowest amount allowed by law. The course is a mixture of text and videos. Instead of a final exam, short quizzes are presented at the end of each unit. For more information or to sign up for a Texas driver safety course online, go to Ticketschool.com.

Can you take defensive driving online in Texas?

You don’t need to travel to a specific location. However, there are a number of restrictions. Aside from time limitations, you cannot take a defensive driving course in Texas if you’re taking one for another violation.

Is defensive driving a good idea in Texas?

If you live in Texas, taking a state-approved defensive driving course from Ticket School is a great idea. From ticket dismissal to insurance discounts, such a course offers a wide range of benefits.

Why do you need defensive driving?

In short, a defensive driving course refreshes your driving knowledge and teaches you to drive defensively, giving you a better foundation to make safe, quick decisions while behind the wheel.

How long is a defensive driving course?

You can generally expect to spend anywhere from 6-8 hours in your course, with some being shorter (3 or 4 hours) and some being much longer (10 or 12 hours).

How many sittings do you need to take court courses?

If you take it in person in a classroom-type setting, you may be required to complete the course in one sitting, depending on how long it runs. Online courses can typically be completed in installments at your own pace.

Can you take defensive driving if you have a CDL?

For most states the answer is no. There are some states that will allow you to take a defensive driving course if you hold a CDL but you were not operating a commercial motor vehicle at the time of your violation. It is best to check with your licensing agency or the agency in which you received a violation.

Can you offset points on your driving record?

It completely depends on your state and your court. Generally, the answer is no. A defensive driving course will TYPICALLY offset points from your public driving record, in the form of a reduction or a credit (again, this is highly state- and court-dependent), rather than remove the violation from your record completely.

How often can you get a defensive driving ticket dismissed?

You now know that you can get a ticket dismissed every 12 months with a defensive driving course. However, only certain types of tickets are eligible for dismissal. The biggest thing to note that is your violation must be a moving violation. In some instances, your moving violation won't qualify for dismissal. These instances include: 1 Going 25 mph or more over the speed limit (or exceeding 94 mph). 2 Not carrying insurance. 3 Running from a crash or accident. 4 Failing to stop for a school bus. 5 Committing a violation in a construction zone with workers around.

What is defensive driving in Texas?

Both in-person and online defensive driving courses in Texas concentrate on encouraging drivers to observe traffic safety and laws.

How often can you get a ticket dismissed?

Types of Tickets That are Eligible for Dismissal. You now know that you can get a ticket dismissed every 12 months with a defensive driving course. However, only certain types of tickets are eligible for dismissal. The biggest thing to note that is your violation must be a moving violation. In some instances, your moving violation won't qualify ...

How often can you get a traffic ticket dismissed in Texas?

You can get a ticket dismissed by taking defensive driving in Texas once every 12 months.

Do insurance companies offer discounts on driver safety courses?

If the real-life value wasn' t incentive enough, many insurance companies will actually offer discounts on your insurance costs if you complete a driver safety course. So whether you're trying to dismiss a ticket or just want to improve your driving skills, you really have nothing to lose when you enroll in an online defensive driving course.

Can you take a driver's safety course before you get a ticket dismissed?

The court must agree that your ticket is eligible for dismissal BEFORE you take a driver’s safety course. Make your request on or before the appearance date listed on your citation. Whether you make the request by email, by certified mail, or in person, you must submit a Request to Take Driver Safety Course.

How long is a defensive driving course in New York?

Your classroom course must be lead by a certified instructor and you will need to attend in person for the entire duration of the course (320 minutes of instruction).

How many points can you get off your NYS driver's license?

Your safe driving knowledge will be refreshed. You can remove up to 4 points from your NYS DMV driving record. Note that these points will likely still show on your record; however, the DMV will not count them toward any license suspension or revocation. You will receive a 10% insurance rate reduction for 3 years.

Can you get a refund for defensive driving?

Check with your course provider for more information. If you do not successfully pass the course within the required time, you may fail the course and will not be eligible to get a refund.

Can you be cited for more than one violation?

You must not have been cited for more than a single violation . You must not have been cited while driving a commercial vehicle. If you want to dismiss a traffic ticket, you usually can not have already completed a traffic school course in the past recent months for the same purpose (usually within the past 12 to 18 months).

Does a defensive driving course prevent a revocation of a license?

The completion of a defensive driving course/accident prevention course will not: Prevent a mandatory revocation or suspension of your New York driver's license. Relieve your responsibility to pay a driver responsibility assessment. When you successfully pass your defensive driving course, your course provider will mail you a completion certificate:

How to get a defensive driving license in Tennessee?

You may be able to complete a defensive driving course to: 1 Avoid a driver's license suspension caused by driving record points. 2 Reduce the amount of time your TN driver's license will be suspended. 3 Dismiss a traffic ticket. 4 Satisfy a court requirement. 5 Lower your car insurance rates or earn a car insurance discount.

How to complete a traffic school in Tennessee?

Generally, you will complete your course by passing a final exam. Once you pass the test, your traffic school provider will usually give you a completion certificate or provide your completion information to the court or the TN DOS.

How many points can you get on your license in Tennessee?

Accumulate 12 points or more on your driving record within 12 months. Accumulate 6 points or more on your driving record and you are younger than 18 years old. Usually, the Tennessee DOS will send you a notice of pending suspension. You will be able to request a hearing to review your driver's license suspension.

How to avoid a driver's license suspension in Tennessee?

Avoid a driver's license suspension caused by driving record points. Reduce the amount of time your TN driver's license will be suspended. Dismiss a traffic ticket. Satisfy a court requirement. Lower your car insurance rates or earn a car insurance discount. Typically, your eligibility to use a defensive driving course for one ...

Can you get a discount for defensive driving?

Earn a Car Insurance Discount. If you complete a defensive driving course voluntarily, your car insurance company may award you with a safe driver insurance discount. While defensive driving discounts are usually aimed towards teens and older drivers, drivers of all ages may be eligible. For more information, please contact your car insurance ...

Can you take defensive driving course online in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, completing a defensive driving course is an option for you if you want to avoid a driver's license suspension, dismiss a traffic ticket, satisfy a Tennessee Department of Safety (DOS) requirement, or improve your driving skills and knowledge. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to take your course online, ...

How much does a driver improvement course cost?

What is the cost of a Driver Improvement Course? For license reinstatement, points reduction, or court purposes, clinics must charge $95. For Driver Improvement classes taken for any other reason (i.e. insurance premium reduction, educational purposes), clinics may charge a fee up to $95.

What is the difference between driver education and driver improvement?

What is the difference between Driver’s Education and Driver Improvement? Driver’s Education is a separate program required for 16-year-olds to obtain their Class D license. Driver Improvement is a program geared toward safety education for licensed drivers of any age. 5.

Can you start a class over again if you are late?

Students that arrive late to any session can expect to be denied entry into class and may be required to start the course over again, at full cost. In addition, students that are absent or leave early from any session may be required to start the course over again, at full cost.

Is a driver improvement clinic an employee of the DDS?

Driver Improvement clinics are independently owned and operated and employ their own instructors and they are not employees of the DDS. The DDS certifies clinics and instructors and ensures compliance in accordance with the requirements set forth by DDS rules and regulations and the Georgia Driver Improvement Act. 16.

What happens when you complete defensive driving in NC?

Once you complete your defensive driving course in North Carolina, depending on where you take it, you'll either be given a completion certificate that you present to the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and your insurance company, or your course provider will automatically notify the NC DMV and update your driver record.

How long does it take to get a defensive driving course?

If you've been convicted of a traffic violation, you may be mandated by the court to complete a course of either 4 hours or 8 hours (depending on your violation). Once you successfully complete a defensive driving course, you are eligible to have points removed from your driving record.

How long is an online course?

Depending on your violation and county, you may be able to choose between an online course of either 4 hours or 8 hours.

Does defensive driving save you money?

When you take a defensive driving course, you may actually find that it saves you money! Many car insurance providers will offer you a discount on your auto insurance premiums.

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