Nationwide Report

Find the driving course your state accepts

Course names and requirements change from state to state. Tell us your situation and we'll point you to the right one.

I got a ticketDismiss it or keep points off your record, depending on your state.I want an insurance discountMost major insurers cut your premium for completing a course. No ticket needed.I need a driver's licenseState approved drivers ed for new drivers, teen or adult.

Based on your location. Change it if that is wrong.

Are you under 18?

YesNo

State vocabulary

Why the course has three different names

Traffic school, defensive driving, and driver improvement describe the same basic idea in different state vocabularies. California may call it traffic school; Michigan may say driver improvement; Texas may say defensive driving. The label on the brochure is not the product category you need to shop for. It is local naming for a state approved course tied to your situation.

Outcomes

Dismissal, points, and discounts are three different outcomes

People often treat them as the same thing. They are not. In some states a completed course can support dismissing a citation. In others it only keeps points off your record. In others it does neither and mainly qualifies you for an insurance discount. Your citation and court (or your insurer) decide which outcome is on the table, not the marketing name of the course.

Before you pay

What to check before you enroll

  • The deadline printed on your citation.
  • Whether your specific court accepts an online course. Rules can vary by court, and we cannot verify every county.
  • How often you are allowed to use a course (commonly once every 12 to 18 months).
  • Whether completion reports automatically or you must file the certificate yourself.

Insurance

Does it really lower your insurance?

Sometimes, and often it does not. When a carrier offers a discount, typical reductions run about 5 to 10 percent. A few states require insurers to recognize a completed course; most treat it as optional. Ask your insurer what they will credit before you enroll only for a premium cut.

Before you enroll

Frequently asked questions

That depends on your citation and the court that issued it. Many courts accept online courses, but some require in person classes or a specific provider. Check the instructions on your citation or call the court clerk before you enroll.