Chris
Sonny JFrequently Asked Questions – Defensive Driving Course in New York
Course Information
- Is this course approved?
- Is an insurance discount mandatory after completion of this course?
- How long is the defensive driving course?
- What types of things will I study?
- Do I have to take a final exam?
- What is the testing and grading policy?
- Is there any way I can fail the course?
- Why does this course have timers?
- Is there a time limit to complete this course?
- What if I'm taking the PIRP course for an insurance discount? Do you automatically report to my insurance company?
- How often can I take a PIRP course ?
- I have more than one person on my insurance policy. Will they all receive a discount if I take this course?
- How do I respond to a traffic ticket issued in New York?
- What is the driver violation point system?
Course Information
Yes! Our New York Point & Insurance Reduction Program is state-approved by the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to help you earn a 3-year 10% insurance reduction. How many points does defensive driving take off in NY? It can reduce up to 4 points from your driving record.
Yes it is! Anyone in New York who completes a Point and Insurance Reduction Program automatically qualifies for a 10% reduction on your premium. You will enjoy your discount for 3 years after course completion.
Our New York defensive driving course is required by the state to meet a 6-hour length requirement. But remember – you can work through those 6 hours at whatever pace you choose, and you do not have to complete it all in one day (you can if you want to, of course). You must finish the course within 30 days of registration.
Each of your 8 course chapters focuses on a single topic that pertains to New York driving and traffic laws. These topics include:
- Highway safety
- Alcohol- and drug-impaired driving
- State traffic laws
- Driving emergencies
- Vehicle maintenance
No! Once you finish the last chapter quiz, you are finished with your course, and do not have to take a final exam.
Each chapter contains a quiz that reviews important content from that chapter. You will need to score 75% or higher to pass onto the next chapter. The quizzes will provide you with an excellent opportunity to master the course material. You will be provided with feedback on any incorrect answers, and you may take your quizzes 3 times to pass.
There is no final exam for your New York PIRP course.
If you fail to achieve a 75% mark or higher on the first try, don’t worry! You can take any chapter quiz up to 3 times to pass. Pay close attention to the review information provided, and you’ll get a second chance to pass. You’ll also have the opportunity to go back and review the chapter before taking the quiz again.
This course is required by New York law to span 6 hours in length. To comply with this law, we (and all other online defensive driving schools) are required to place timers on each page of the course. We realize that some students may read faster than the timer will permit you to advance, but state regulations prohibit us from changing this function. The timers cannot be disabled for any reason.
The NY state DMV requires you complete your course within 30 days of registration for the purposes of point reduction or insurance discount. If you fail to complete your course within the 30-day time frame, a new course will be created and you must start from the beginning. No refunds may be given.
- What if I'm taking the PIRP course for an insurance discount? Do you automatically report to my insurance company?
You will be responsible for reporting your course completion to your insurance carrier to receive the state-mandated 10% discount. We will send you a certificate of completion to submit to your insurance company.
You can take the defensive driving course every 18 months; this will reduce up to 4 points on your driving record.
You may also take a course once every 3 years (36 months) to maintain your lower insurance rate.
- I have more than one person on my insurance policy. Will they all receive a discount if I take this course?
Check with your insurance company. However, typically, only one driver per vehicle may receive a discounted rate on their insurance premium.
You have two options after being issued a traffic ticket, and you must take action within 15 days of being cited. You can either:
- Plead guilty, fill out the requested information on the ticket, mark it guilty, and sign the ticket. You will then need to mail it in along with the ticket fine (or you can pay in person).
- Plead not guilty, fill out the requested information on the ticket, and sign the ticket. After you mail in your ticket, the court will mail you a letter detailing when and where your hearing will take place.
Instructions on these processes can be found on your traffic ticket.
Please Note: the I Drive Safely course is not approved for Traffic Ticket Dismissal.
The point system is used as a way to track how well you are driving. If you accumulate too many points in a set period of time, you will be deemed to be an irresponsible driver, and your license could be suspended or revoked. Some examples of violations and the points associated with them are:
- Speeding 1-10 MPH over the speed limit: 3 points
- Following too closely: 4 points
- Reckless driving: 5 points
