Defensive driving can be a great benefit to those who want to increase their alertness on the road. It can also be helpful when you get a traffic ticket and want to dismiss it. In the past, defensive driving courses required hours of in-person coursework, but in many states, that's not the case anymore.
Today, many states allow online defensive driving courses — meaning you can work on improving your driving skills or dismissing your traffic ticket all from the comfort of your home. This list covers all the states that permit online defensive driving.
States That Allow Online Defensive Driving
1. Alabama
An online process allows defendants to defend their citation instead of going to court. For those who have been approved for driving school, a four-hour online course is acceptable.
2. Alaska
Through a list of accredited online driving schools, Alaska offers drivers the opportunity to complete an online course. This can help reduce driving infraction points and lower insurance rates.
3. Arizona
Arizona allows online defensive driving courses through certified providers. A course can prevent your insurance rates from going up and points from being added to your license. Drivers need to check their eligibility, and the course needs to be completed at least seven days before the court date.
4. California
You will need to be approved by the court to attend traffic school in California. This will help to dismiss points from a traffic violation.
5. Colorado
If a driver wishes to contest their citation, a court appearance is required. The court will then decide whether the driver is eligible for an online defensive driving course.
6. Connecticut
Online defensive driving courses in Connecticut are used to reduce insurance premiums. There is a list of approved online providers on the state website.
7. Delaware
Delaware offers drivers an opportunity to reduce insurance premiums and take a refresher for further reductions. A list of online providers is provided.
8. Florida
Online driving courses are allowed in Florida and can help those with citations reduce points and avoid higher insurance premiums.
9. Idaho
Idaho allows drivers to complete online driver improvement courses for a three-point reduction on their driver record. A list of online providers is available.
10. Indiana
Four-hour defensive driving courses are approved through certified providers to reverse the suspension of a license and to remove up to four points from a driving record.
11. Kentucky
In Kentucky, the Kentucky State Traffic Schooloffers an online and in-person class. The advantage is that no points are added to the driving record; however, non-attendance may result in a license suspension.
12. Maine
The five-hour Driving Dynamics course (in-person or online) allows a three-point reduction and possible discounts on insurance.
13. Massachusetts
Massachusetts has a healthy approach to online driver training, which it refers to as driver attitudinal retraining courses.
14. Michigan
Eligible drivers can sign up for online driver improvement courses.
15. Minnesota
Certain advanced driving courses are approved for those over the age of 55 to qualify for discounted insurance rates.
16. Mississippi
Drivers may be eligible to attend traffic school to reduce points on their driver record and possibly qualify for an insurance discount.
17. Missouri
This state allows a four-hour driver correction program that can reduce points and insurance costs.
18. Montana
Montana allows a number of online defensive driving courses that can reduce points and lower insurance rates.
19. Nebraska
Eligible drivers may qualify for revocation of point reinstatement and a two-point credit to their driving record.
20. Nevada
Nevada allows online course completion for eligible drivers to remove points from their driving record.
21. New Mexico
New Mexico offers a list of certified driver improvement schoolsin each county that allow users to complete their driver improvement course online for license reinstatement and possible point reduction.
22. New York
Online defensive driving courses are approved in New York and can offer reduced points on a driver's record and cheaper insurance costs.
23. North Carolina
As long as an online course is approved by the District Attorney's office or you were referred by your attorney, you can take online defensive driving in North Carolina.
24. North Dakota
North Dakota lists a number of online courses that aim to reduce points on a driver's record.
25. Oklahoma
Driver improvement courses are approved on a case-by-case basis,and online courses are offered through Oklahoma Traffic School-approved facilities.
26. Oregon
The Traffic School Diversion Programis used to dismiss minor traffic violations and is offered online.
27. Pennsylvania
The Mature Driver Improvement Course allows drivers aged 55 and older to possibly get a discount on their insurance rates.
28. South Carolina
South Carolina temporarily allows the completion of defensive driving courses online.
29. Tennessee
There are a number of defensive driving schools listed for Tennessee, and online options are offered. These classes are for traffic violation point reductions.
30. Texas
Texas allows drivers to take online defensive driving from TDLR-approved course providers.
31. Utah
Utah allows the online completion of a defensive driving course that allows drivers to reduce their driving record points.
32. Virginia
Drivers can use online courses to reduce their license points and improve insurance rates.
33. Washington
Online collision prevention courses are available to those over 55 and can reduce insurance rates.
34. Washington, D.C.
The district recommends online defensive driving courses, however, it doesn't state whether it will count toward points reduction or better insurance rates for drivers.
Why You Should Consider an Online Defensive Driving Course
There are legally motivated reasons to consider an online defensive driving course, such as points reductions and license reinstatements. There's also the possibility of a reduced insurance rate for the driver on the completion of this course.
But there are also safety reasons. A defensive driving course helps drivers to make better decisions when on the road. This can include only driving when you're alert, how to stay focused in difficult driving conditions, and how to make decisions ahead of time to accommodate for other drivers.
No matter your reason for taking defensive driving, become a safer driver with our online defensive driving courses.
