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 Pennsylvania, driving safety courses, often referred to as defensive driving or traffic school, serve as educational tools to enhance a driver's skills and safety awareness. While Pennsylvania law does not universally allow for the dismissal of traffic tickets upon completion of such courses, participation in a PennDOT-approved defensive driving course can lead to benefits such as a reduction in insurance premiums for some drivers. However, eligibility for ticket dismissal or point reduction may depend on the specific circumstances of the violation and the policies of the court handling the case. It's important for drivers to check with the court that issued the citation and their insurance provider to understand the potential benefits of completing a driving safety course in Pennsylvania.