Driving safety courses—also known as defensive driving or traffic school—are designed to improve a driver’s knowledge, awareness, and attitude toward driving a motor vehicle. Laws vary from state to state but in many states a driver who has been issued a traffic ticket or citation may have the ticket or citation dismissed upon successful completion of a driving safety course—whether online or in person.
In New York State, driving safety courses, often referred to as defensive driving courses or traffic school, are part of the Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP). By completing a DMV-approved defensive driving course, drivers can reduce up to four points from their driving record and receive a mandatory 10% reduction in the base rate of their auto liability and collision insurance premiums each year for three years. The course can be taken online or in person and must be completed every 36 months to maintain insurance reduction benefits. If a driver has received a traffic ticket, completion of a defensive driving course does not automatically dismiss the ticket. However, the point reduction can help mitigate the impact of the violation on the driver's record. It's important to note that not all traffic violations are eligible for point reduction and the course does not prevent or reduce the mandatory surcharge or fines that come with certain traffic tickets.