Defensive Driving Course Driving Schools

A defensive driving course reviews hazard awareness, safe following distances, and the effects of speed, fatigue, alcohol and distraction. In New York, DMV-approved courses are part of the Point & Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP). Completing one can reduce the active points on your driving record by up to four, once in any 18-month period, and cut the base rate of your auto insurance premiums by 10% each year for three years. Your tickets stay on your record; the course lowers the active point total. The classroom version runs 320 minutes, and approved online options are available too.Other states run their own programs. New Jersey, for example, gives a two-point reduction for an approved defensive driving course once every five years, and some insurers offer discounts for completing one. Rules vary by state, so check with your state’s motor vehicle agency and your insurance company before you enroll.