how to find out which driver defensive course youve taken

by Angus Klein 4 min read

You may need to pay a small fee to obtain a copy of your driving record from your local DMV and check to see when it states you took a defensive driving course.

Question: How can I find out when the last time I took a defensive driving course? Answer: If you cannot remember how long it has been since you have taken a defensive driving class, then you may try contacting your state's Department of Motor Vehicles to see if they have it listed as part of your driving record.Sep 7, 2012

Full Answer

How do I get a copy of my defensive driving certificate in NY?

How can I get a copy of my New York driving record? This can be requested from the New York DMV. Simply complete form MV-15 ("Request for Driver and / or Vehicle Record Information"), which can be obtained at any New York State motor vehicle office. This form can also be downloaded from the DMV internet office.

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 do I submit my defensive driving certificate to NJ DMV?

Submit your completion certificate to the New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commission (MVC). I Drive Safely will send you a certificate of completion via the delivery method you have chosen, which you may then mail or bring to your local MVC office. Check your driving record.

How many points does a defensive driving course take off in GA?

seven pointsBenefits of Defensive Driving Course GA "If you have points on your license, going to a defensive driving course can erase seven points from your license," says Kirk Brisette, Ph. D., CEO and co-founder of DriveSmart Georgia. "This can only happen once every five years.

How many points does defensive driving take off in NY?

four pointsNew York Point Reduction This online defensive driving will reduce your point total by up to four points, depending on when the points were assessed. It will also give you a mandatory 10% automobile insurance discount for 3 years.

How many times can you take a defensive driving course in NY?

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. I have more than one person on my insurance policy.

How many times can you take a defensive driving course in NJ?

How often can I take the course for an insurance discount? You can take the New Jersey defensive driving course once every three years to receive a discount on your auto insurance rate.

How many points does defensive driving take off in NJ?

Two pointsTwo points will be removed if you complete a NJ defensive driving course. This can be done once every five years.

How much does a defensive driving course lower your insurance NJ?

between 5% and 10%Any auto insurance provider in New Jersey is required to offer a discount to any policy holder that completes a defensive driving course. The discount, which is usually between 5% and 10% lasts for three years and can be renewed for continuous savings.

How long do tickets stay on your driving record in Georgia?

two yearsIn Georgia, points remain on a driver's record for two years. However, they drop off at the two-year mark from the exact date each point was added. That means if you receive more than one ticket at different times, some points may come off sooner than others.

How many months does a defensive driving course take off?

If you're over 25, this course will reduce the time on your restricted licence from 6 months to 3 months. The New Zealand Defensive Driving Course takes just nine hours and instills a lifetime of safer driving strategies for any young driver.

How long is a defensive driving course in GA?

6 hourWhat is a Driver Improvement/Defensive Driving Course? Driver Improvement is a 6 hour course designed to teach drivers about safe driving attitudes and behaviors.

How much is a 6 hour defensive driving course in NY?

Resources. The 6-Hour New York Point & Insurance Reduction Course is only $19.95.

How much is defensive driving course in NY?

The best cheap defensive driving course is offered by New York Safety Program for $23.95. The cost of the listed providers below range from $23.95 to $49.95. There are eight providers that offer defensive driving courses for under $30....Best cheap defensive driving courses in New York.ProviderCostEmpire Safety Council$44.95I Drive Safely$48.9510 more rows•Nov 16, 2021

How long does it take to get points off your license in NY?

Once 18 months have passed from the violation date, the points for that violation no longer count toward your total. However, the points remain on your driving record as long as the conviction remains on your record and may be used by your insurance company to increase premiums.

What is the best online defensive driving course for NY?

#1: iDriveSafely iDriveSafely is certified as a New York online defensive driving course for point reduction and insurance discounts, including for I-PIRP. This is without a doubt, the highest quality course available in New York for 2022.

Why do people take defensive driving courses in Maryland?

Dismissing a ticket is the most common reason people complete a Maryland defensive driving course. Are you ready to make yours disappear?

What is defensive driving course in Louisiana?

The Louisiana defensive driving course can help you dismiss a ticket, earn an insurance discount, and keep your license from being suspended.

Why do you need defensive driving in Mississippi?

Dismissing a traffic ticket and saving on your car insurance premiums are great reasons to take a Mississippi defensive driving course!

What is defensive driving in Ohio?

Ohio defensive driving, which is known as remedial driving instruction, is a course you can use to have a traffic citation dismissed.

Can you take Alabama traffic school online?

Alabama Traffic School. When you get a ticket in Alabama, you can use Alabama traffic school to get it dismissed. The course can be taken online or in the classroom.

Does defensive driving help with points?

New York defensive driving can help you avoid points on your license, yet who can attend these courses? We're here to help you figure it out.

Can you take defensive driving online in New Jersey?

The right online New Jersey defensive driving course allows you to complete the work from home. Doesn't get any easier than this!

What is a defensive driving course?

Defensive driving courses—also known in some states as traffic school —are courses that enhance your skills behind the wheel. They are state-specific and address your state's traffic requirements and regulations, as well as areas of concern on the road. They also aim to instill habits that can prevent accidents or help you react more quickly to an oncoming hazard.

What are the requirements for taking defensive driving?

While these do vary from state to state, the basic requirements for taking a defensive driving course include the following:

Why might I need/want to take a defensive driving course?

While the allowable reasons are state-dependent , these courses can be taken for the following:

How much does a defensive driving course cost?

The price of your course will depend on the state you take it in and the provider you choose.

Does taking a defensive driving course remove a ticket from my driving record?

It completely depends on your state and your court. Generally, the answer is no.

Can I take defensive driving to remove a ticket for driving under the influence?

No. Drivers who receive tickets for driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence cannot take a defensive driving course to points from their driving record. In some states, drivers who have received a DWI or DUI may be required to take a course specifically designed for these offenses. These are not considered defensive driving courses. Visit your state's motor vehicle department website for more information on DWI or DUI infractions.

Will defensive driving remove a parking ticket?

No. You can't take defensive driving courses for non-moving violations.

What is defensive driving?

Defensive driving courses, which are also referred to as traffic school, driver improvement, and point reduction, are often approved and licensed by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), Department of Public Safety (DPS), Secretary of State (SOS), ...

Why do you need to enroll in defensive driver improvement?

Regardless of your reason for enrolling in a defensive driver improvement program, you'll gain valuable safe driving knowledge that may help to prevent you from receiving traffic citations and causing accidents in the future.

What is the eligibility for a traffic school?

Your eligibility to complete a traffic school program will often be determined by your state's DMV agency, traffic court, or insurance company, and will be based upon your specific circumstances, your personal driving history and whether you've recently completed at defensive driving course .

What is traffic school?

Along with safe and defensive driving techniques, traffic school will usually cover topics including: Traffic laws and violations in your state. Alcohol/drug abuse and consequences. Developing better driving attitudes and behaviors. Sharing the road with other drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

How long is defensive driving school?

Your specific defensive driving school curriculum and requirements will vary by state, but your course will generally last anywhere from 4 to 12 hours.

Do you have to confirm you are eligible for a course before enrolling?

Before enrolling in a course, you should confirm that you are eligible .

Why do people take defensive driving courses?

Reason number two why people take a defensive driving course is to reduce auto insurance premiums. Some insurance companies will offer a reduction in your insurance premiums for voluntarily completing a course. Your insurance agent will be able to tell you if you qualify.

How long is a defensive driving class?

Attendees travel to the location of the class, and sit for the required duration (sometimes as long as 8 hours!) and then complete an exam to receive a certificate of completion.

How much does defensive driving education reduce insurance premiums?

Defensive driver education can reduce your insurance premium up to 10%. Are you ready to save money?

What is a driving safety course?

Accident prevention course. Driver improvement course. Traffic school. It’s important to understand, though, that most of these terms refer to the same thing: a course of study designed to help an already licensed driver improve her or his skills.

How to decide which course is right for you?

Look carefully at a couple different companies, read some FAQs, verify that the course is what you need, that the instruction is of sound quality, and then decide which course is right for you.

How long is a course approved by the state of Idaho?

For example, a course approved by the state of Idaho is required to be 6 hours long, but a course approved by the state of Tennessee is only required to be 4 hours long. As part of your research, it’s important to understand if a course is required to be of a certain length in your state.

Why is it important to have a driver improvement course?

The first reason is driver improvement. Accident prevention matters. It matters to the long-term health and safety of us and our families. Make sure that the course you pick offers high-quality instruction and that the provider has experience creating quality courses.

How many points can you get for driving 10 mph?

For example, 2 points may be added for driving 10 mph over the posted speed limit, and 3 points added for going 20 mph over the maximum. If you accumulate too many points within a specific time frame (typically within a 12-month period), your driver’s license could be suspended.

What is DriveSafe online?

DriveSafe Online offers a customized defensive driving course for each state and the District of Columbia. Learn about state-specific traffic laws and regulations, as well as helpful driving tips and techniques to keep you safe anywhere you drive. However, it’s important to take the appropriate course to satisfy court or DMV requirements.

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.

How long is Driver Improvement?

Driver Improvement is a 6 hour course designed to teach drivers about safe driving attitudes and behaviors.

Does DDS accept online driver education?

At this time, DDS does not recognize online Driver Improvement courses for driver’s license related issues. Certificates of Completion from online Driver Improvement courses are not accepted by the DDS for any purposes related to an individual’s driver’s license or driving privileges.

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.

List of best cheap online defensive driving schools in California

You can take a defensive driving course at any of the traffic schools on the following list.

Can a defensive driving course remove points from my record?

If you only have a single point on your record, then attending traffic school in California could potentially remove it.

California traffic school eligibility

Traffic school isn’t quite like college, where you have to apply with a personal essay and pay tens of thousands of dollars. Nearly anyone can enroll.

Auto insurance discounts for senior drivers

Over 55 years old? You can take a traffic school course to unlock a discount on your car insurance. Yes, you do have more experience than all the other drivers on the road—but you’ve also been out of driver’s school the longest. That’s why senior drivers get a discount for taking a defensive driving course and refreshing their skills.

Mature-driver improvement course providers in California

There are affordable online and in-person options in California, including the AARP’s Safe Driver course.

FAQs

Defensive driving courses usually vary by state, but in California, the standard defensive driving course is 2.5 hours long plus assessment time.

Final tips

The schools mentioned in this article are DMV-approved, affordable, and they will e-file your certificate of completion to make sure you get results fast.

How Do I Know If I Am Eligible to Take Defensive Driving?

There are some steps you’ll need to take before you’ll even need to sign up for defensive driving. Importantly, you will need to get permission from the court to take it. But, even before that, you need to determine if you should bother to ask.

How long does a defensive driving course last?

Different states have different time requirements. The time you’ll spend could range from as little as four to as many as eight hours.