Michigan Online Defensive Driving Basic Driver Improvement

Frequently Asked Questions – Michigan BDIC Program

Course Information

Course Information

1. Is this course approved by the state of Michigan?

Yes! Your Michigan Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) is state-approved by the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) to meet all requirements for point dismissal.

2. I'm not sure if I'm eligible to take a Michigan driver improvement course. How do I find out?

The Michigan Secretary of State will send out a notice of eligibility if you qualify for point avoidance through traffic school. Generally, you qualify if you meet the following eligibility requirements:

• You hold a valid non-commercial Michigan drivers license
• You have 2 points or fewer on your driving record
• Your violation was not a criminal offense
• Your citation is eligible for dismissal (must be 3 points or fewer, not for careless or negligent driving, etc.)
• You have NOT completed a BDIC program before (you may only take this course once in your lifetime)

We have all of the eligibility requirements and steps to take for Michigan traffic school listed on our How It Works page. For a full list of eligible infractions, you may visit the Michigan SOS page.

3. What would disqualify me from the Michigan BDIC Program?

If any of the following apply to you, you are disqualified from the BDIC program:

• You are within the 60-day Michigan BDIC eligibility period for a prior ticket
• You have already used this program to avoid points
• You were not granted a Michigan drivers license
• Your license is restricted/suspended/revoked
• You have at least 3 points on your driving record
• When you were cited, you were driving a commercial motor vehicle or held a commercial driver’s license
• The traffic citation you received is not eligible for the Michigan BDIC Program

4. What can I do if I never received a notice that I was eligible?

If you were eligible, you would have received a notice in the mail at the address listed on your driving record. If you are eligible to participate in a BDIC program and are still within the 60-day eligibility period, you may still take the Michigan BDIC Program. However, if the 60 days have passed, the traffic ticket and the points that come with it will show up on your driving record.

5. I'm a Michigan resident, but I received a ticket in another state. Can I enroll in the BDIC program?

Yes, you can. Your ticket can be brought over from the state in which you received it, and you will receive a notice of eligibility from the Secretary of State informing you that you qualify for the program. Contact your local DMV or Secretary of State branch and ask them the details on bringing your ticket over to Michigan.

6. I recently moved to Michigan and received a notice of eligibility for a ticket I had received in my previous state. Why did this happen?

Your driving record was carried over from your home state to your new state of residence. The state looked at your driving record and determined that you were eligible for the program. It is your choice whether or not to enroll.

7. How many times can I take the Michigan BDIC Program for point avoidance?

Once. The state of Michigan only allows drivers to complete a driver improvement course once in their lifetime.

8. Should I enroll in this course if my ticket doesn't carry any points?

Even though a ticket may not carry any points, it could still cause your insurance rates to rise. Since you can only use the Michigan BDIC Program once in your lifetime, you will have to make the call as to whether you want to avoid an insurance increase now, or save your BDIC enrollment for the future possibility that you get a ticket that carries points.

9. How long will this course take?

Your Michigan BDIC Program is not timed, though generally students take between 4-6 hours to complete the course. Your course material is broken down into 8 single-subject units, which you can complete at your own pace. Therefore, how long the course takes is up to you!

10. What types of things will I study?

Each of your 8 course chapters focuses on a single topic that pertains to Michigan driving and traffic laws. These topics include:

• Highway safety
• Alcohol- and drug-impaired driving
• State traffic laws
• Driving emergencies
• Vehicle maintenance

11. Do I have to take a final exam?

Yes, your final exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions. You need to score an 80% or higher to pass, and you have unlimited retakes, so you’re guaranteed to pass!

12. What happens if I pass the Michigan BDIC?

We will notify the Michigan Department of State of your completion electronically. After receiving this information, the Department of State will not put points from the citation on your driving record, and your ticket will not be shown to insurance companies. The traffic ticket information will appear on your record, but the points will not. Be aware that you must still pay any court fees/fines/other expenses related to your citation.

13. Do I still have to pay for the ticket or court costs if I pass the Michigan BDIC Program?

Yes, you must pay all costs associated with your citation.

14. Is there any way I can fail the course?

Absolutely not! You have unlimited retakes on your chapter quizzes and final exam, so if you fail to achieve an 80% on your first try, you may simply retake them again until you pass.

15. What if I don't pass the BDIC?

If you don’t pass your Michigan BDIC within 60 days of being given notice of eligibility, both the traffic offense and the points that go with it will appear on your driving record and will be available for insurance companies to view.

16. Can I appeal if I don't pass the course?

No, unfortunately you may not appeal to the Michigan Department of State if you do not pass.

17. What is the testing and grading policy?

Each of the 8 chapters contains a quiz that reviews important content from that chapter. There are 10 questions per quiz, and you need to obtain an 80% or higher to pass onto the next chapter. The quizzes will provide you with an excellent opportunity to master the course material and prepare for your final exam. You will be provided with feedback on any incorrect answers, and you may retake your quizzes an unlimited amount of times.

Once you get to your final exam, you will encounter 25 multiple-choice Michigan basic driver improvement course test questions, requiring a passing score of 70% or higher. You may retake the exam again if you need another attempt to pass. You are allowed unlimited attempts.

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

Per Michigan SOS requirements, you MUST complete your BDIC program within 60 days of receiving your notice of eligibility. If you fail to complete your course within the 60-day eligibility window, you will not dismiss your points, and your violation will be reported to your insurance company. No refunds may be given after this point.