New York Defensive Driving Course FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions – Defensive Driving Course in New York

How to Earn a Discount on Your Monthly Insurance Rates

1. Check with your insurance provider for eligibility.
   Though the insurance discount is mandatory for anyone who completes a PIRP course, there may be extenuating factors in your driving history that might prevent you from qualifying. Contact your insurance provider and double check that you’re good to go.
2. Enroll in and complete your New York PIRP course online.
3. Send your certificate of completion to your insurance company to receive your mandatory 10% discount.
   Make sure you submit your completion certificate within 90 days of finishing the course.
   • If you meet the 90-day submission deadline, your discount should go into effect immediately and be retroactive to the date you finished the course.
   • If you submit your completion after 90 days, your discount may be applied from the date you submitted your defensive driving course certificate.
4. Check with your insurance company for full details.
5. Enjoy your reduced insurance rate!

How to Reduce Points From Your NY Driving Record

1. Enroll in and complete your New York PIRP online course.
   I Drive Safely will automatically report your course completion to the DMV, so you don’t have to worry about any paperwork. Please note that New York state law mandates that you finish your PIRP course within 30 days.
2. Check your driving record and verify that you’ve received credit for your course.
   Your traffic conviction and your point total will still be visible on your record for up to 4 years. Once your PIRP course has been applied, the DMV will not count up to 4 points toward any license revocation or suspension.

Certificate Delivery 

When you complete our course, you won’t have to worry about waiting for long periods of time to receive your credit. Finish the coursework by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, and we’ll send your completion information directly to the New York DMV the same day, so you can take advantage of your point reduction as soon as possible. 

We’ll also send you a copy of your completion certificate for FREE so you can obtain your insurance discount. If you want that discount sooner rather than later, we also offer expedited delivery options at a reasonable price.

Customer Support

No matter when or where you’re studying, help is always a phone call away. Whether you need help with your course, the point reduction process, or even just New York traffic law in general, we’re here for you. Our Customer Support Team is available 7 days a week to make every step of the process easy and hassle-free.

Frequently Asked Questions – Defensive Driving Course in New York

Course Information

Course Information

1. Is this course approved?

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.

2. Is an insurance discount mandatory after completion of this course?

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.

3. How long is the defensive driving course?

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.

4. What types of things will I study?

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

5. Do I have to take a final exam?

No! Once you finish the last chapter quiz, you are finished with your course, and do not have to take a final exam.

6. What is the testing and grading policy?

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.

7. Is there any way I can fail the 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.

8. Why does this course have timers?

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.

9. Is there a time limit to complete this course?

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.

10. 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.

11. How often can I take a PIRP course ?

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.

12. 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.

13. How do I respond to a traffic ticket issued in New York?

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.

14. What is the driver violation point system?

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