Defensive Driving Course Information

The Point & Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP), approved by the New York Department of Motor Vehicles, is available through private companies or corporations, called "course sponsors," throughout New York State, we currently offer it at our Pawling, NY office

.  Each qualifying course must meet strict standards for the safe driving information presented and program effectiveness. If you complete an approved course:

1. It will help improve your driving skills with a review of safe driving tips and an overview of today's vehicle and traffic laws.
2. You may be eligible to reduce as many as four (4) points on your driving record. The DMV computer will automatically update your file if you are eligible.
3. If you are the principal operator of a motor vehicle, you will receive a minimum 10% reduction in the base rate of your automobile and motorcycle liability and collision insurance premiums each year for three years. You can only apply to discount if you are the primary rate driver.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

The Course

Q.  How much time does the course take, what is it like and what does it cost?

A.  Beginning in 2009, you will have two options for completing the PIRP course. Your options will be the traditional classroom method or an Alternate Delivery Method (ADM), such as web based courses or other DMV approved methods. Each course is a minimum of six hours long. Essential information about traffic safety issues such as driver attitude and behavior, defensive driving techniques, and the Vehicle & Traffic Law are reviewed in each course. Our course is interactive and fun. There are no written tests, and each individual will be engaged in discussion due to the small class sizes we typically offer.

Information specific to the classroom course:

The course is presented in one or more classroom sessions and attendance is mandatory. No formal testing is required to complete the course.

Information specific to the alternate delivery method:

The course will be a minimum 320 minutes. Once you register with a sponsor, you have up to 30 days to complete the course. During the course, you will be asked to identify yourself with information given at registration. To ensure that you are taking the course, you will also be asked questions regarding the content. It is possible that you will be asked to register in person and/or take an exam at the end to once again ensure you are the one who completed the course.

Point Reduction

Q.  After I complete the PIRP course, how do I receive the point reduction?

A.  The instructor will notify the DMV within ten weeks after you complete the course. A notice will then be entered on your driving record, and the DMV computer will automatically reduce your active point total by up to four points.  Important: Completion of a course under the "Point & Insurance Reduction Program" does not remove, delete, subtract, or erase any violation, conviction, or notice of original number of points from your driving record.  Even after you complete the course, most violations, conviction and points assessed will continue to show on your driving record for up to four years. Violations and convictions involving drugs or alcohol will remain on your driving record for ten years. "Point reduction" means the DMV will not count up to four points on your driving record toward license revocation or suspension.

Q.  How do I know my driving record shows my course completion?

A.  If you need to verify the course completion has been entered on your record, you may request a copy of your driving record from the DMV. To do so, you can order you driving record online or complete a "Request for Driver and/or Vehicle Record Information" (form MV-15), available at any motor vehicle office. We also have these forms available at our Pawling, NY insurance agency website.

If your course completion is not noted on your driving record more than ten weeks after you completed it, contact the course sponsor.

Q.  What effect does point reduction have on my license and driving record?

A.  Point reduction applies only to points assessed for violations that occurred within the eighteen months immediately before course completion.  It does not affect points for earlier violations, and cannot be used as "credit" against future violations or points.

Point reduction cannot reduce your point total lower than zero.

If your license has already been revoked or suspended, or if a violation hearing has already been scheduled, point reduction will not affect that action.

Point reduction does not prevent or remove a mandatory revocation or suspension for violations such as DWI, DWAI, or 3 speeding violations within 18 months.

Points may be reduced only one time in any 18-month period. The DMV point system and insurance company "point" systems are not related, please visit the state insurance department website for more information. Point reduction on your driving record does not affect points assigned by your insurance company for violations and accidents.

Completion of a course under the "Point & Insurance Reduction Program" also cannot prevent or reduce the calculation of points affecting a "Driver Responsibility Assessment."

Insurance Reduction

Q.  After completing the PIRP course, how do I receive the insurance reduction?

A.  The course sponsor should mail you a completion certificate within 45 days after you complete the course. If you present your certificate to your insurance company or agent within 90 days after course completion, your liability and collision premium reduction will begin immediately, retroactive to the date you completed the course. If you present your certificate more than 90 days after course completion, the insurer may issue the premium discount effective from the date presented.

If you do not receive your certificate within 8 weeks after completion, contact the course instructor. You may take the course once every 36 months to maintain insurance reduction benefits.

Q.  Will the PIRP course prevent my insurance company from raising my premiums?

A.  No. Insurance reduction does not prevent general premium increases, or premium increases due to violations or accidents. It provides a 10% reduction for three years, from the base rate of your current liability, no-fault and collision premiums.

Q.  What if more than one person named on a policy completes the course?

A.  The insurance premium reduction applies to all motor vehicles principally operated by the motorist who completes the course.  The reduction can be applied to only one driver for each covered vehicle.

Q.  If I complete a DMV approved motorcycle safety/accident prevention course, does the insurance reduction benefit extend to my automobile coverage?

A.  Yes. The reduction applies to the liability and collision insurance premiums for both your motorcycle and automobile.

Q.  Will youthful operators and drivers participating in assigned risk pool receive the insurance premium discount?

A.  Yes. Any insured driver who is the principal operator and completes the course will receive the reduction.

Q.  If a young operator is already receiving a driver education reduction, will the discount also be applied?

A.  Check with your insurance company or agent to find out if both reductions will be given at the same time.

DMV Point System Summary

The following table shows the point values assigned to moving traffic violations. The "points" are assessed against your driving record based on the date you committed the violation, not the date you were convicted in court. Most insurance companies, however, use the date your were convicted as a benchmark when giving out surcharges.

If you accumulate 11 or more points in 18 months, you will be called to a DMV hearing, after which your license may be suspended or revoked. You will be offered the option of waiving the hearing or accepting a definite period of suspension.

Some license revocations and suspensions are mandatory and do not depend on points. These include three speeding violations within 18 months, and convictions involving alcohol or drugs.