How Often Can You Take A Defensive Driving Course Is Up To You

There are two main reasons a person signs up to take a course in defensive driving, one if ordered to do so by a court, or voluntarily in hopes to receive a reduction in insurance premiums. While there really is no limit on how often you can take a defensive driving course, most insurance companies will place a limit on how frequently a defensive driving course will have an effect on the premium amount.

Typically, in many states companies limit how often you can take a defensive driving course to once every three years to get a reduction on insurance costs. Many courts also sentence a person to a single run through a driving course, but in some cases a judge has provided for annual or semi-annual visits through the driving school. While those sponsoring the course do not limit how often you can take a defensive driving course they may suggest a frequency based on age, occupation and accident history.

In cases of traffic violations, completion of a driving course may allow for the removal of points off the license, but the states will limit how often you can take a defensive driving course in order to have points removed. Usually, once every two years in most states, but if an at-fault accident occurs the points may be re-instated, plus more points based on the accident investigation.

No Limit But Driver Pays The Price

While there is no limit to how often you can take a defensive driving course, the person will be responsible for the cost of the course. Even court-ordered attendance is the financial responsibility of the attendee. Many of the course are offered online as well as in a classroom setting with a possibility of being on the road to take a final test similar to the licensing examination.

Additionally, some of the online classes are approved by the state bureau of motor vehicles and a certificate of completion will be accepted by the state to satisfy court orders as well as in removing points on the license. Even with online classes, there is no limit as to how often you can take a defensive driving course, but the cost should be worth the effort.

With the acceptance of online classes, available to be completed on the person's schedule and no time limit on the class, many are finding that how often you can take a defensive driving course is not really the issue, but being able to pass the final exam will determine if they need to take it more frequently.