If you get a traffic ticket in Michigan, the Secretary of State (SOS) allows you to take a Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) to remove points on your driving record. Points on your record could increase your insurance rates. People often ask how many times they can take the BDIC. Here’s what you should know.
How Often Can You Take Michigan Basic Driver Improvement?
If you’re asking how many times you can take the BDIC class in order to pass it, there’s good news. There’s no limit to the number of times you can take the class to pass the final test.
On the other hand, if you’re asking how often you can take it for more than one traffic violation, that’s another story. You can only take the class once in your lifetime. If you get another traffic ticket, you are not eligible to take the class again. This poses a problem for a lot of people because the points from a traffic ticket stay on your record for two years and could affect your insurance rates.
More About Michigan Basic Driver Improvement
When you’re issued a traffic ticket in the state of Michigan, you have 60 days from the time you receive your notice of eligibility from the state to take a BDIC. If you do not complete the course and pass the final test within that time, your ticket points will not be removed. They'll remain on your record for your insurance company to see.
You can also be ineligible for BDIC with certain infractions. Your violation must be three or fewer points. Here’s a list of eligible and ineligible violations. Other things that can make you ineligible for BDIC include:
Not having a non-commercial Michigan driver’s license
Driving a commercial vehicle with a commercial license
Already having three points or more on your driving record
Still being within the 60-day window of BDIC eligibility for another violation
Take an Online Course
If you are eligible to take a BDIC, you’re in luck. The course can be done completely online at your convenience. With the SOS-approved I Drive Safely online BDIC, you can pace yourself and study when it works for you. While the course is four hours long, plenty of people have finished it in one day.
The course covers three main areas over eight chapters with plenty of graphics and audio and visual learning to keep the subject matter interesting and fun. You'll learn things like:
Michigan laws and rules of the road
Defensive driving best practices and strategies
Safe driving in a variety of conditions
You’ll have a 10-question quiz at the end of each chapter, and you’ll need to get an 80% or better to pass the chapter. You get feedback on incorrect answers, and the quizzes can be retaken any number of times. At the end, you need to pass a 25-question multiple-choice exam with a score of 70% or better. You also have unlimited attempts on the final exam.
When you complete the BDIC, you get a certificate of completion. You don’t have to worry about visiting the post office or fussing with any other administrative details. We notify the SOS office for you.
If you’re eligible to take the BDIC in Michigan, choose the SOS-approved I Drive Safely BDIC and you’ll be well on your way to getting your ticket points removed from your record.
