Defensive Driving is now available at Drive Smart Georgia!
Our customers can now take a Defensive Driving (also known as Driver Improvement) course at Drive Smart Georgia. We now offer this new service is designed to teach drivers about safe driving techniques and behaviors that can help them stay safe on the road.
What exactly is a Defensive Driving/Driver Improvement course?
Our signature course can be taken in-person in a traditional classroom setting or from the comfort of your home with our Zoom version. Both in-person and Zoom options include 6-hours of instruction and meet all Georgia law requirements. We offer weekly 1-day or 2-day options for the in-person or Zoom course to work with your busy schedule.
We teach our in-person classes at our Cumming office, located at 1790 Peachtree Pkwy, Suite 202, Cumming, GA 30041.
What are the reasons to take a Defensive Driving/Driver Improvement course?
People can take the Defensive Driving course for the following reasons:
Ticket dismissal – Many judges in Georgia will dismiss or not process a moving violation ticket if the offender completes the six-hour course. This means the ticket won’t be reported to insurance or appear on the driver’s record.
Fine and point reduction – Under Georgia law, some courts allow offenders to complete a course, resulting in a 20% fine reduction and no points added to the driver’s record.
Points removal – Drivers may take the course once every five years to remove seven points from their driving record.
- Drivers aged 21 and older who accumulate 15 points within 24 months will have their license suspended.
- Drivers under 18 who accumulate four or more points within 12 months will have their license suspended for six months.
- Drivers under 21 will have their license suspended for six months for a single moving violation that results in an assessment of four or more points.
License reinstatement – If your license has been suspended in Georgia, often courts require the completion of a Defensive Driving course before it can be reinstated.
Insurance discounts – Georgia drivers can take the 6-hour Defensive Driving course to receive a 10-15% discount on their auto insurance premium. The exact discount varies by insurance company, so please check with your insurer for specific details.
Personal education – Parents often attend the course for an insurance discount and want their newly licensed teen driver to attend for personal education. If your teen has completed our Driver’s Ed program, many insurance companies offer a discount for Driver’s Ed until age 21. In this case, the Defensive Driving class may not provide an additional discount but is still beneficial for personal education. Please check with your insurer for specific details.
What is the cost for the Defensive Driving/Driver Improvement course?
The Georgia Department of Driver Services sets the $95 cost for the 6-hour Defensive Driving/Driver Improvement course. The program is fully refundable if the student does not complete the course or earn a certificate of completion if the refund request is made within 14 days of purchase.
Why choose Drive Smart Georgia for Defensive Driving/Driver Improvement?
Drive Smart Georgia has been the state’s premiere driving school since 2009, teaching thousands of students annually.
With state-regulated pricing set at $95, it’s important to choose a trusted driving school to ensure an exceptional experience. CLICK HERE to learn more.
How to register for a Defensive Driving/Driver Improvement course
Click on the “View Schedule” button below to sign up for the 6-hour Defensive Driving/Driver Improvement course. Make your payment online (100% Money Back Guarantee) and receive an instant confirmation email with directions on how and when to join the in-person or Zoom class and a receipt for your payment..
Can you register for the Defensive Driving course the same day as the course?
Yes! You can register up to 1 hour before the class starts for both our in-person and Zoom courses. If you register for a Zoom course, you’ll immediately receive the Zoom login instructions via email upon registration.
Will I receive a certificate of completion after the Defensive Driving course?
Yes! You’ll receive a certificate of completion on the same day that you finish the Defensive Driving class for both in-person & Zoom courses. Georgia allows the Defensive Driving course to be taught online ONLY if conducted live with an instructor via Zoom. Therefore, the certificate you receive for our Zoom course is exactly the same as our in-person course.
Does your Defensive Driving/Driver Improvement course include driving lessons?
No. It includes in-person classroom or Zoom instruction only and does not include in-car driving lessons. However, they are available for purchase on our website.
DDS Rules about Defensive Driving/Driver Improvement
Below are important questions and answers about Defensive Driving, as posted on the DDS website.
Can I take the Defensive Driving course for an insurance discount and another reason, such as ticket dismissal or license reinstatement?
No. The Department of Driver Services requires DDS-certified driving schools to specify the reason you are taking the course on your certificate of completion, and we can only select one.
However, you can take the course again in the future for a different reason.
There is no limit to how many times you can take the course, except for Points Reduction, which is only allowed once every five years.
Can I Take the Defensive Driving course and then take it again later (or anytime in the future) for another reason, such as for an insurance discount?
Yes! You can take the course again in the future for a different reason. There is no limit to how many times you can take the course, except for Points Reduction, which is only allowed once every five years. For more details, see our help center article: “How often may I take a Defensive/Driver Improvement course for points reduction?”
What is the difference between a DDS-approved Defensive Driving course, and one not approved by DDS?
You may use a Certificate of Completion from a DDS-approved course taught at a certified driving school for certain matters related to your driver’s license. Defensive Driving/Driver Improvement courses not approved by DDS, such as AARP, cannot be used for driver’s license related issues.
Georgia DDS approved Drive Smart Georgia’s Defensive Driving/Driver Improvement course.
Can I use the Certificate of Completion for BOTH license reinstatement and points reduction?
When you submit the Certificate of Completion to a DDS Customer Service Center, you must inform them at that time that you wish to use it for both license reinstatement and points reduction.
How many points will result in a suspended driver’s license in Georgia?
The Georgia Point System ranges from 2 to 6 points per violation. A person who receives 15 points in a 24-month period will be penalized with a suspended driver’s license for a period of 24 months.
CLICK HERE to view the complete Points Schedule, a detailed list of traffic violations, and the point penalty for each.
CLICK HERE to read more Drive Smart Georgia blog posts.
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