What is the New York Defensive Driving Course?
The New York Defensive Driving course (also known as the Point and Insurance Reduction Program, or PIRP) is a 6-hour online course that allows drivers to get a 10% discount on their auto insurance for
3 years, reduce up to 4 points on their driving record, or satisfy a court order. The course is regulated by the NY DMV and covers essential information about traffic safety issues, including the following:
- Driver attitude and behavior
- Defensive driving techniques
- Vehicle and traffic safety laws
- Accident prevention
- Collision avoidance
- The dangers of alcohol and drugs
How the NY Defensive Driving Course Works
You can get everything done in 3 easy steps:
- Register. Click the "Register" button to get started. You'll be asked to fill out your contact information, personal details, and create a username and password.
- Complete your online coursework. The 6-hour online course consists of short lessons followed by a quiz. You must pass the lesson quiz to proceed to the next lesson. Once you pass the
last lesson quiz, you're done! There's no final exam. Please note that you must complete the course within 30 days of registration.
- Get Your Certificate. NTSI will electronically process your completion to the NY DMV when you complete the course, and the NY DMV will reduce up to 4 points on your driving record if you're eligible for point reduction.
NTSI will also mail you a Certificate of Completion. To get your insurance discount, you must provide your insurance company with a copy of your certificate.
How To Reduce Points on Your Driving Record By Taking the NY Defensive Driving Course
When you complete NTSI's NY Defensive Driving course, they will electronically process your completion to the NY DMV. A notice will be entered on your driving record, and the DMV will automatically reduce your active point total by up to four points.
Point reduction applies only to points assessed for violations that occurred within the 18 months immediately prior to course completion. It does not impact points for earlier violations and it cannot be used as "credit" against future violations. Point reduction cannot reduce your
total points lower than zero.
You may only take a Defensive Driving course once every 18 months for point reduction.
Please note that "point reduction" means that the DMV will not count up to four points on your driving record toward license revocation or suspension. No violation will be removed, deleted, subtracted, or erased from your driving record by taking this course.
You can verify that your course completion has been entered on your driving record by requesting a copy of your driving record from the DMV. You can do this by requesting a copy of your driver record online or by filling out a Request for Driver and/or Vehicle Record Information (MV-15).
How To Get an Insurance Discount By Taking the NY Defensive Driving Course
NTSI will mail you your Certificate of Completion when you complete the NY Defensive Driving course. To receive an insurance discount, you must submit a copy of your certificate to your insurance provider.
The course provides a 10% reduction from the base rate of your current liability, no-fault and collision premiums. The discount applies to all motor vehicles principally operated by the motorist who completed the course. The reduction can be applied to only one driver for each covered vehicle.
How To Satisfy a Court Order By Taking the NY Defensive Driving Course
Your court may require you to complete a NY Defensive Driving course as a result of a ticket. You must submit a copy of your Certificate of Completion to your court as proof that you have completed the course.
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