Point Reduction in New York

Determine Your “Course” of Action

Per New York’s Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP), you can take an approved six-hour accident prevention course to remove up to four points from your driving record, as well as decrease your auto insurance premiums by 10% for three years. For your convenience, this includes online courses, which New York refers to as Alternate Delivery Methods (ADM).

Typically, the DMV computer system will automatically note your eligibility to enroll in a course and notify you; otherwise, you can let the TVB or local court (whichever applies to you) know you’d like to take a course in order to reduce some of your driving record points.

NOTE: Understand that in New York, “point reduction” means the DMV will remove up to four points from your active points total; this means points assessed during the 18-month period leading up to class enrollment. So, you may still see points on your driving record, but the DMV will not count those four points (or up to four points) toward any license suspension or revocation.

No Dismissed Traffic Tickets and Other Considerations

New York does not dismiss or erase traffic ticket violations for taking an accident prevention course, and you’ll continue to see those violations on your driving record after you complete the course, most likely for up to four years.

Also note that:

• An accident prevention course will not reduce points or help you avoid license suspension or revocation for or any violation involving DWI or DWAI. Your driving record will reflect any offense that involved drugs or alcohol for 10 years.
• If your license is already suspended or revoked, an accident prevention course will not reverse that action.
• Completing an accident prevention course will not reduce points that go toward the Driver Responsibility Assessment.
• CDL holders aren’t eligible for point reduction via an accident prevention course; they can, however, seek the insurance discount.

Complete a NY Accident Prevention Course

Because the court is not directly involved in the accident prevention course (i.e., doesn’t offer it or order it in order to satisfy a traffic violation), there are no official “rules” for signing up and meeting a certain deadline.

Basically, once you choose the approved course you want to take, you contact that provider and follow its set of enrollment instructions.

You should receive a completion certification anywhere from 14-45 days after completing the course; you will need this if you want to take advantage of reduced insurance premiums.

Submit Requirements to the Court

The course provider will mail you a completion certificate within 45 days of completing the course; however, because the court doesn’t dismiss traffic tickets for accident prevention courses, you won’t have to notify the court.

Within 10 weeks of completing the course, the course provider will notify the DMV, and the DMV will handle point removal.

Check Your New York Driving Record

After those 10 weeks pass, it’s a good idea to get a copy of your driving record to make sure it reflects your course completion; if it doesn’t, the DMV recommends notifying the course provider.

Get an Auto Insurance Discount

Completing an accident prevention course makes you eligible for receiving a 10% discount on your car insurance rates for the next three years.

Before you enroll, or after you complete your course, talk with your insurance provider about how to take advantage of this discount. Most likely, your provider will ask to see the completion certificate.