Point Reduction in Indiana

Determine Your “Course” of Action

Indiana drivers can use the state’s Driver Safety Program (DSP) to:

• Receive a four-point credit on their driving records once every three years.
• Keep a violation from appearing on their driving records.
• Avoid license suspension.

NOTE: The first option is voluntary; the second and third options need court and/or BMV approval.

The DSP includes a variety of course options. Drivers can study in a classroom setting or they can choose home study courses that include video and online courses. Due to hectic schedules involving school, work, and families, many drivers opt to study at home using a video or online course.

No Dismissed Traffic Tickets

DSP courses aren’t good for satisfying or dismissing traffic tickets; however, some judges give drivers the option to enroll in a course to prevent the ticket or violation from appearing on their driving records; the points still show up, but the violation doesn’t.

NOTE: Judges can order drivers who are at risk for license suspension or who’ve committed serious traffic offenses to complete a course. Under these circumstances, how course completion affects the driver’s record is up to the judge.

Deferral Programs

Although some judges allow drivers to enroll in a DSP course to prevent violations from showing up on their driving records, don’t confuse DSP courses with deferral programs.

Some―not all―counties have deferral programs for traffic citations. Usually, program eligibility depends on the person’s driving history and the violation in question (generally, serious violations aren’t eligible).

Once the driver meets the deferral program requirements (which typically consist of paying fees and not attending driving courses), the court won’t report his ticket or any judgment to the BMV.

You can contact your court for more information about possible deferral programs.

Complete a IN Driving Safety Course

If you’re taking the course voluntarily for point reduction, you don’t have to worry about a deadline by which you must complete it.

However, if you’re taking the course because a judge ordered you to―or gave you the option in order to keep a violation off your record―you must complete the course by the deadline the judge provides.

For example, a driver taking the course because he’s received multiple convictions in a 12-month period has 90 days to complete the course from the date the BMV notifies him.

Regardless of the type of course you choose (online or home study), it will last four hours and cost no more than $55.

Submit Requirements to the BMV or Court

How you submit requirements (which usually means submitting a completion certificate) to the BMV or your court depends on your course provider. Some mail tangible certificates to you and/or the BMV or court, and some notify the BMV or court electronically.

Talk with your provider about how this is handled before you complete the course.

Check Your Indiana Driving Record

The BMV recommends waiting 10 days after you complete the course to check your driving record. Generally, it takes that long for the course provider, the BMV, and possibly your court, to process all the information.

Once those 10 days are up, check your driving record to make sure:

• You received your four-point credit (if you voluntarily took the course).
• Your violation doesn’t show up (if you took the course as part of a court agreement).
• Your license is not suspended (if you took the course because the BMV or court ordered you to due to violation accumulation).

Talk with the BMV or your court if your driving record is inaccurate.

Get an Auto Insurance Discount

Some auto insurance providers offer discounts to policyholders who complete an approved DSP course.

Talk with your provider about this possibility before you enroll in a course―especially if you’re enrolling on a voluntary basis for point reduction and insurance discount purposes.