If you have points on your driving license or would like the to reduce your car insurance premiums, the New York DMV has a "Point and Insurance Reduction Program" (PIRP). This program includes approved courses offered by private companies called "course sponsors." The courses review traffic laws and tips for safe driving including driver attitude and defensive driving techniques.
Once you complete the course you qualify you for:
1) A reduction in your point total by up to 4 points, automatically applied to your record*, and
2) A 10% reduction in your automobile liability and collision insurance premiums, each year for three years.**
If have plead guilty to a speeding ticket or any other moving violation, in the last 18-months, you have points on your license so taking one of these course would be a good idea. If you are not sure if you have points on your license, you can request a driving abstract from the DMV. If you are a client, we pull this record for you.
The DMV-Approved Courses
The good news is that the DMV Point and Insurance Reduction courses, typically called "Defensive Driving Courses" or "Six Hour Courses", are available live in classrooms and online. The other news is that each course lasts at least 6 hours and there seems that there may be quizzes or tests involved.
An Online Defensive Driving Course By Improv., (Online Only and Yes, it's Comedy) 304 Park Ave. So. - 11th Floor NY NY 10010 (800) 660-8908
The Online Course is $34.95. It was "Created through the joint venture with the World Famous Improv Comedy Club, our goal is to provide the most convenient, fun and cost-effective Internet Defensive Driving Course for New York Drivers. We guarantee that our on line New York Defensive Driving is the easiest and simplest to complete or YOUR MONEY BACK!"
National Safety Council, 200 Salina Meadows Parkway - Suite 200, Syracuse NY 13212-4510 (800) 962-3434.
The Online Course is $44.95. It says it is the first point reduction plan approved in New York, can be completed completely on line, and has state of the art animations, graphics and videos.
National Traffic Safety Institute, 201 Edward Curry Ave - Suite 206, Staten Island NY 10314-7105, (866) 719-3735.
The Online Course is $44.50. It claims to have "the most current information on defensive driving, traffic laws, collision avoidance, and the affects of alcohol and drugs on drivers."
New York Safety Program, 8302 5th Avenue - 2nd Floor, Brooklyn NY 11209-4511, (800) 942-6874.
The Online Course. is $49.95 (It boasts that it is the "Only on line class with no quizzes and no final exam." This seems to require a web camera for a face recognition comparison with a driving license. Click on the green sign on thier site for details. )
USA Training Company, 99 Washington Avenue - Suite 400, Albany NY 12210, (800) 746-7690.
The Online Course is $49.95. It claims to have "All elements of your Internet course, including 12 chapters of reading with streaming videos, multiple-choice quizzes and your completion certificate. There are no additional fees."
AARP, 1415 Kellum Place, Garden City NY 11530-1690, Contact your local AAA office.
The Online Course is geared to drivers age 50 and over but any person may take it. It costs $15.95 for AARP members and $19.95 for non-members. There is also an $8.00 additional charge to cover fees payable to the New York DMV.
American Safety, 115 E 57th Street - 11th Floor, NY NY 10022, (800) 800-7121.
The Online Course is $34.95 and says that it is "designed to fit effortlessly into your schedule." Which means that you do not have to complete the program in one sitting because the computer remembers your spot. Other programs also have this start and stop, complete-at-your leisure feature.
American Safety Council, 3415 State Route 11, Malone, NY 12953, (800) 393-1063
The Online Course is $34.50. It says that is it completely online with free electronic reporting.
Driver Training Associates, 433 Broadway - Suite 202, Saratoga Springs NY 12866, (800) 243-2196
The Online Course is $34.50. It claims, Easy to use format; Clear, simple language, Videos and animations; Study at your own pace.
Empire Safety Council, 176 Terry Rd, Smithtown NY 11787-5106, (800) 246-3603
The Online Course is $49.00. And the site has some crazy animations.
I DRIVE SAFELY, 2455 Central Park Ave, Yonkers NY 10710, (877) 374-8388
The Online Course is $34.95. It is a learn at your own pace and has a 10% Discount for AAA members.
National Point and Insurance Reduction Course, 304 Park Ave. So. - 11th Floor, NY NY 10010, (800) 660-8908
* About the Point Reduction: The course provider will notify the DMV of your participation within 10 weeks and the DMV will apply the point reduction. This reduction applies only to points assessed in the 18 months before the course and cannot be used as credit to reduce future points. Unfortunately, if you are currently paying a Driver's Responsibility Assessment, the point reduction will not reduce that assessment. Back to Article.
** About the Premium Reduction: The course provider should send you a certificate of completion within 45 days after you complete the course. When you give that certificate to the insurance provider within 90 days after completion, your reduction will apply immediately and apply from the date of completion. After 90 days, the insurance company may apply the discount from the date you gave them the certificate.
And you can take this course once every three years to keep the reduction going. Back to Article. , More details about Insurance at the DMV.
Course list from https://harmonia.dmv.state.ny.us/pirp/ consulted March 15, 2010.