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 South Dakota, driving safety courses, often referred to as defensive driving or traffic school, serve as a tool to enhance a driver's skills and knowledge regarding safe driving practices. While regulations can differ across states, South Dakota allows drivers who have received a traffic ticket to potentially have their citation dismissed or reduced by successfully completing a state-approved defensive driving course. This option is typically at the discretion of the court and may depend on the driver's driving record and the nature of the traffic violation. Some courts may require the driver to appear before a judge to request permission to take a driving safety course for ticket dismissal. It's important for drivers to check with the specific court handling their traffic citation to understand the eligibility criteria and the process for enrolling in and completing a driving safety course in South Dakota.