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 Wisconsin, driving safety courses, often referred to as traffic safety schools or defensive driving courses, are available to drivers as a means to improve their driving skills and safety awareness. While the state does not universally dismiss traffic tickets upon completion of such courses, drivers may be eligible for point reduction on their driving record. Wisconsin law allows drivers to reduce their demerit points by up to 3 points if they successfully complete an approved traffic safety course. However, this option is only available once every three years. It's important to note that eligibility for point reduction and the impact on traffic citations can vary, and drivers may need to get approval from the court handling their citation. Additionally, some insurance companies may offer a discount on car insurance premiums for drivers who have completed a defensive driving course.