Defensive Driving in Washington DC

SUMMARY: Washington, D.C. Defensive Driving Courses

Also known as traffic school, a defensive driving course can be taken if you want to enhance your driving skills and road awareness. In certain circumstances, once you successfully complete a course, points may be removed from your driving record. In Washington, D.C., the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) certifies certain third-party online defensive driving courses, but you may also choose (or be required) to complete your course at a commercial driving school.

Washington, D.C. Traffic School Options

Completing a defensive driving course in Washington, D.C. may:

  • Enhance your driving skills and knowledge.
  • Make you a safer driver.
  • Remove points from your driving record.
  • Reduce your auto insurance rates.

Remove Driving Record Points with Defensive Driving

The D.C. DMV uses a point system to keep track of your moving violations. This point system is designed to warn you if you are at risk of having your driver's license suspended or revoked.

Completing a Washington, D.C. defensive driving course will help keep your driving record points to a minimum and reduce your chances of losing your driving privileges.

In order to be eligible for point removal after completion of a defensive driving course, you must first contest your ticket by mail or in person. Specify that you are requesting your points be waived. The DMV hearing examiner overseeing your case will determine if you are eligible for the defensive driving course point reduction.

You will have 30 days from receiving approval to complete your course.

If eligible, your violation will still appear on your driving record, but the points will not be added.

NOTE: Points stay on your driving record for 2 years.

For more information about your driving record and moving violations visit our following pages:

You can also see the list of infractions and associated points on the D.C. DMV website.

Get an Auto Insurance Discount with Traffic School

After receiving a traffic ticket, it is common for your car insurance rates to increase.

Depending on your car insurance provider, they may not raise your premiums if you complete traffic school.

Even if you haven't received a traffic ticket, your insurance provider may offer you a safe driver discount for voluntarily completing a defensive driving course.

You should contact your auto insurance company first BEFORE enrolling in a course to check if you're eligible for the discount.

Washington, D.C. Defensive Driving Providers

The Washington, D.C. DMV currently approves the following two course providers:

Both courses are available online for your convenience and can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For specific course information, contact the course provider directly.

Washington, D.C. Traffic School Course Details

Your defensive driving course/traffic school will generally take about 8 hours to complete. Since the courses are provided online, you are not required to complete it all at once, and you can choose when and where you complete it.

If you're taking the course to have points removed from your driving record, you must complete your course within 30 days of receiving approval from the Washington, D.C. DMV.

Once you successfully complete the course, your course provider will automatically notify the Washington, D.C. DMV, who will note the completion on your driving record and remove any points where necessary.

Contact your chosen course provider directly for specific course information, including program fees.

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