Traffic School and Defensive Driving Courses by State (2026)
Whether each state lets drivers take traffic school or a defensive driving course to dismiss a ticket or reduce points, and the rules.
| State | Traffic school |
|---|---|
| Alabama | A driver can use the state's online traffic system (RESOLVE) to ask the court for permission to attend defensive driving school; the court decides and provides sign-up information. Paying the ticket ends the chance to request driving school. Pike, Calhoun, Randolph and Bullock counties do not offer defensive driving school. Alabama Administrative Office of Courts, Traffic Service Center FAQ |
| Alaska | Any driver may take a DMV-approved defensive driving course once every 12 months; after completion, the DMV deducts 2 points. The course reduces points but does not dismiss the ticket. The DMV advises paying the ticket before taking the course (unless contesting it in court), or the point credit may not apply. A driver may ask the judge to subtract the course cost from the fine (form TR-405); the judge decides. Alaska Court System form TR-560; Alaska DMV Points page |
| Arizona | Arizona's court-run Defensive Driving Program lets a driver cited for an eligible civil moving violation (and, if the court allows, criminal speeding) attend a Supreme Court-certified defensive driving class once every 12 months, violation date to violation date. After completion, no points are assessed to the driving record. The class must be completed 7 days before the court date. Separately, MVD's Traffic Survival School is required after certain convictions (including DUI, red-light, wrong-way and aggressive driving), at 8–12 points, and for drivers under 18 after a first moving violation. A.R.S. § 28-3392; Arizona Supreme Court Defensive Driving FAQ; ADOT MVD and Courts Training Manual |
| California | A court may order or permit a noncommercial Class C or M driver to attend a licensed traffic violator school after paying the fee or bail or pleading guilty or no contest. When the driver finishes by the deadline, the point stays on the record but is hidden from insurance companies, and the conviction does not count toward negligent-operator status. Traffic school is not allowed for violations in a commercial vehicle, DUI, hit-and-run, reckless driving, and certain other serious offenses. The court's courtesy notice says whether a ticket is eligible; a driver can still ask for traffic school after choosing a trial, and the judge decides. Cal. Veh. Code § 42005; California Courts Self-Help Guide to traffic tickets |
| Colorado | A 2024 law directs the DMV to create a driving improvement course program that lets a driver convicted of a traffic infraction or misdemeanor traffic offense have points waived after completing an approved course (in person or online). The waiver provision takes effect January 1, 2027, or earlier once the DMV adopts rules. It does not apply to offenses committed under a commercial driver's license or in a commercial vehicle. C.R.S. § 42-2-127.1 (HB 24-1250) |
| Connecticut | Connecticut does not describe a traffic school that dismisses a ticket. Instead, the DMV requires an operator retraining program for drivers 24 or younger convicted of two moving violations, drivers 25 or older convicted of three, and (since Oct. 1, 2025) anyone convicted of reckless driving. Not completing it within 60 days brings an indefinite suspension and a $175 restoration fee. Drivers convicted of a work-zone violation must take a free online Work Zone Safety Course. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-111g; CT DMV New Laws Oct 2025; CT DMV License Suspension page |
| Delaware | Completing a DMV-approved defensive driving course can give a 3-point credit used when calculating DMV penalties. It applies only to future violations in certain circumstances, does not remove or reduce existing points or dismiss a ticket, and is valid for three years from completion. Delaware DMV, Information Regarding Violations |
| District of Columbia | For a DC moving violation, a driver may ask a DMV hearing examiner, by contesting the ticket through adjudication by mail and specifically requesting a points waiver, for approval to take a DMV-approved online defensive driving course. Approval is discretionary. If approved, the decision reads 'Liable Traffic School Approved'; the driver must pay the fine within 15 days and finish the course within 30 days. The violation still appears on the record, but the points do not. DC DMV Driver Point System page |
| Florida | A driver without a commercial license who is cited in a noncommercial vehicle for most noncriminal infractions (not, for example, speeding 30 mph or more over the limit) may elect to attend a state-approved basic driver improvement course instead of appearing in court. Adjudication is then withheld, the civil penalty is reduced by 18 percent, and no points are assessed. The election cannot be made if one was made in the preceding 12 months, and no more than eight times in a lifetime. Fla. Stat. § 318.14(9) |
| Georgia | Two options use a DDS-certified defensive driving (driver improvement) course. Points reduction: after completing the course, a driver can submit the original certificate to DDS to reduce points by up to 7, once every 5 years; this does not undo a points suspension already imposed. Zero-point order: if the course is completed after the violation and before the case is resolved, the court can report the conviction with no points assessed, once every 5 years. The conviction still posts to the record, and neither option avoids a mandatory suspension. O.C.G.A. §§ 40-5-86, 40-5-57(c)(1)(C); Georgia DDS Points and Points Reduction page; Traffic Court Reference Manual 2021–2022 |
| Hawaii | Hawaii courts may require a driver found to have committed a traffic violation to attend a driver retraining course, in addition to other penalties, and penalties for traffic infractions can include attendance at a driving school. No program was found that lets a driver dismiss a ticket by taking a course. Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291C-161(h); Hawaii State Judiciary, Moving or Equipment Violations |
| Idaho | Once every three years, a driver can remove 3 points by completing an approved defensive driving course, or remove the points for a specific citation by completing a city-sponsored Traffic Safety Education Course offered by the officer at the roadside (where available). Only one reduction is allowed in any 3-year period from either course. The course does not remove the conviction, cannot undo a points suspension already imposed, cannot be 'saved' for future points, and has no effect on CDL disqualifications. IDAPA 39.02.71, Section 400; ITD Guide to Understanding Driver Records |
| Illinois | Courts can sentence eligible traffic offenders to court supervision, which in participating counties typically involves completing a traffic safety program. Supervision is not available for a moving violation if the driver received court supervision twice in the preceding 12 months, and is restricted for DUI when the driver has a prior DUI conviction or supervision. 730 ILCS 5/5-6-1 |
| Indiana | Any Indiana driver may take a BMV-approved Driver Safety Program (at least four hours; classroom, DVD or online; maximum cost $55) and receive a 4-point credit, once every three years. It does not remove the citation from the record. Courts may also order a driver safety program, but the point credit applies only for a BMV-approved course. Some county prosecutors run infraction deferral programs with local eligibility rules. Indiana BMV Driver Safety Program page and FAQs; Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 5 |
| Iowa | Iowa does not offer a course to dismiss a ticket. The DOT may automatically enroll eligible drivers in its driver improvement program instead of suspending them (for speeding 25–29 mph over, three countable moving violations in 12 months, or a first offense of unlawfully passing a school bus). Missing the program leads to suspension; completing it is followed by one year of probation, during which a new moving violation triggers suspension proceedings. The program does not remove violations from the record. Iowa DOT, Habitual Violators & Serious Violation |
| Kansas | Kansas courts do not describe a traffic school that removes points. Prosecutors (city, county or district attorneys) may offer diversion, a voluntary alternative in which a person completes conditions such as classes or community service so the charge can be dropped; each prosecutor has a written diversion policy. Kansas Judicial Branch Self-Help, Criminal & Traffic Law |
| Kentucky | Completing Kentucky State Traffic School prevents points from being assessed, but the conviction still appears on the record (it does not show on the 3-year public record but does show on the 5-year record used by law enforcement, courts and other agencies). A driver may attend only once every 12 months, cannot have been under suspension at the time of the citation, and cannot use it for a conviction carrying a mandatory suspension. Unlicensed and out-of-state drivers are not eligible unless a court orders it. CDL holders' moving convictions still appear on the record. The online course costs $39 and the classroom course $15, completed or enrolled within 30 days of the referral or conviction date. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, KY State Traffic School |
| Maine | Completing the Maine Driving Dynamics Course (a five-hour program) or another approved driver improvement course deducts three points from a driver's point total. Anyone may take it, even with no record, but points are deducted only once in any twelve-month period. It does not dismiss the ticket. Maine Motorist Handbook; Secretary of State rules 29-250 ch. 1 |
| Maryland | The MVA does not offer a course that dismisses a ticket or removes points; it says points are not removed upon request. A Driver Improvement Program is required when a driver reaches 5 points within two years. MVA, Driver's License Points; Md. Code, Transp. § 16-404(a)(2) |
| Massachusetts | There is no traffic school that dismisses a ticket. A driver with 3 surchargeable incidents in 24 months must complete a Registrar-approved driver education program within 90 days of notice to avoid suspension. M.G.L. c. 175, § 113B |
| Michigan | An eligible driver who completes a Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) within 60 days after the Secretary of State's eligibility notice will not have the points for that moving violation entered on the record, and the violation is not reported to insurers. The conviction is not dismissed. Drivers are not eligible if the violation carries 4 or more points, involved a commercial vehicle or CDL holder, more than one violation was cited in the same incident, they already have 3 or more points, they have taken a BDIC before, or their license is restricted, suspended or revoked. The course fee may not exceed $100. MCL 257.320d |
| Minnesota | No statewide traffic school that removes points was found. In Hennepin County, a Hearing Officer may offer options such as a continuance for dismissal with payment of prosecution costs, community work service, or a driving class to pay off a fine, depending on the case and violation history. Hennepin County District Court, Violations Bureau & Hearing Office |
| Mississippi | Some courts allow drivers to attend 'defensive driving school' or another class to keep a citation from appearing on the driving record. This is not available to holders of a commercial driver's license or commercial learner's permit, because federal and state law prohibit deferring judgments of driving offenses for CDL/CLP holders. Mississippi DPS Driver Service Bureau, Frequently Asked Questions (Aug. 2025) |
| Missouri | When ordered and verified by the court, completing an approved driver-improvement program (meeting the National Safety Council eight-hour Defensive Driving Course standard; online or in person) is accepted instead of points for most moving violations, including speeding. It can be used only once in any 36-month period and must be completed within 60 days of conviction. It is not available for violations in a commercial motor vehicle or by commercial license holders. RSMo § 302.302.5 |
| Nebraska | A driver with fewer than 12 points may voluntarily complete a DMV-approved driver improvement course; the DMV then removes two points assessed within the previous two years (one point if only one point is on the record). It must be completed before the offense that would bring the total to 12 or more points, and the reduction is allowed only once in five years. It does not apply to courses required by the DMV after a revocation. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-4,188 |
| Nevada | A driver with 3 to 11 demerit points may have 3 points removed by voluntarily completing a DMV-certified traffic safety course, once every 12 months. No point credit is given if the course was required as part of a plea bargain with a court. The conviction remains on the driving history. Nevada DMV, Demerit Point System |
| New Hampshire | A driver with at least 3 points can have the most recent point total reduced by 3 points, for suspension purposes only, by completing an approved driver improvement course (at least 6 hours) or a driver attitude course within the period for which the points are being assessed. The points remain on the record; the ticket is not dismissed. N.H. Admin. Rules, Saf-C 212.06–212.07 |
| New Jersey | Completing an MVC-approved Defensive Driving Program removes 2 points, once every five years. The Driver Improvement Program removes 3 points, once every two years, when taken in response to MVC proposed action; the Probationary Driver Program (3 points) is completed once when ordered by the MVC. These programs reduce points; they do not dismiss a ticket. NJ MVC, Suspensions and Restorations |
| New York | Completing a DMV-approved Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP, a defensive driving course, classroom or online) reduces active points by up to 4 for suspension purposes, for violations in the 18 months before completion, and can be used for points only once in an 18-month period. It does not remove the violation, conviction or points from the record and does not prevent mandatory suspensions or revocations (such as for DWI, DWAI, or three speeding violations within 18 months). It also provides a 10% insurance premium reduction. NY DMV, Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) |
| North Carolina | A driver with 7 or more points (or 4 points within three years after reinstatement) may be offered a DMV driver improvement clinic; completing it deducts three points, only once in any five-year period. Court deferral or reduction programs (such as driving school in exchange for a reduced charge) vary by district and are handled with the prosecutor. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-16(c); N.C. Judicial Branch, Traffic Violations |
| North Dakota | A driver can have 3 points taken off the record by completing a driver training course approved by the Department and sending in the certificate. This can be used once in any 12-month period, only for points already on the record, and for no more than 9 points in a three-year period. It does not dismiss the ticket. If the record already has 12 or more points (6 or more for a minor), the reduction is applied after the suspension is served. N.D. Cent. Code § 39-06.1-13(2) |
| Ohio | A driver with at least 2 but fewer than 12 points may take a state-approved remedial driving course and apply to the BMV for a 2-point credit. Only one credit is allowed in any three-year period and no more than five in a lifetime. No credit is given if the course was ordered by a judge. The course does not dismiss the ticket. Ohio Rev. Code § 4510.037(C) |
| Oklahoma | Completing an approved six-hour Driver Improvement / Defensive Driving course removes 2 points from the driving record, but this reduction is given only once in a 24-month period. Employer motor vehicle accident prevention courses do not qualify for point reduction. The official pages read describe point reduction only, not ticket dismissal. Service Oklahoma, Violations, Suspensions & Reinstatements FAQ |
| Oregon | The official pages read do not describe a statewide traffic school that dismisses tickets or removes points (Oregon has no points). For a first conviction of driving while using a mobile electronic device, the court may suspend the fine if the person completes an ODOT-approved distracted driving avoidance course within 120 days of sentencing and gives the court proof. ORS 811.507(8) |
| Pennsylvania | PennDOT's Driver Improvement School is only for drivers required to attend because of point accumulation or excessive speeding (31+ mph over); it is not a way to dismiss a ticket. On a first accumulation of 6 points, completing the school removes 4 points (passing the written point exam instead removes 2). On a second or later accumulation, 2 points are removed after the sanctions are completed. No points are removed for the school after an excessive-speeding hearing. The course is six hours and requires passing an exam with at least 80%, online or in person. PennDOT, Driver Improvement School; Point System Fact Sheet |
| Rhode Island | The statutes read do not provide a traffic-school dismissal. Instead, a driver who has held a license for more than three years and has had no other traffic violations in the preceding three years may ask the Traffic Tribunal to dismiss the violation based on a good driving record, paying a $35 administrative fee plus a $25 surcharge. The request must be made within six months of disposition. It is not available for speeding more than 14 mph over the limit, chemical test refusal, school bus or child restraint violations, violations involving a crash with damage or injury, or violations by commercial license holders or in a commercial vehicle. A judge may also order a driver to attend a rehabilitative driving course. R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-41.1-7, 31-41.1-6(d) |
| South Carolina | A driver with points can have 4 points removed by completing the National Safety Council's Defensive Driving Course or a DMV-approved equivalent after the points were assessed, and proving completion to the DMV. Points can be reduced this way only once in any three-year period. The course reduces points; it does not dismiss the ticket. S.C. Code § 56-1-770 |
| Tennessee | A driver facing a points suspension who requests a hearing may be offered a defensive driving class instead of suspension or to reduce the suspension time. The class must be completed within 90 days of the suspension letter and counts for credit only once every five years. Separately, for a first violation of the hands-free law, a driver may complete a driver education course instead of paying the fine. Tennessee Dept. of Safety, Driver Improvement Points Accumulation; Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-199(c)(2) |
| Texas | A driver charged with an eligible traffic misdemeanor can have the charge dismissed by completing a TDLR-approved driving safety course. To qualify, the driver must have a Texas license or permit (or be active-duty military or a military spouse or dependent), must not have completed a course in the 12 months before the offense, must show proof of financial responsibility, and must, on or before the answer date on the notice to appear, plead guilty or no contest and request the course. The court defers judgment and allows 90 days to complete the course. Not eligible: speeding 95 mph or more or 25 mph or more over the limit, serious traffic violations, and certain other offenses. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. arts. 45A.352, 45A.353, 45A.356 |
| Utah | A Driver License Division-approved defensive driving course (through the Utah Safety Council or National Safety Council, live 4-hour or online) reduces the points on a record by up to 50 points; it may be used once every three years. Separately, the courts note that a driver with only a Title 41, Chapter 6a moving violation who was cited no more than 21 days ago may be eligible for Deferred Traffic Prosecution, and pleas in abeyance are available under court rule. Utah Driver License Division, Utah Points System; Utah Courts, Traffic Offenses |
| Vermont | The statutes read do not provide a traffic school that dismisses tickets or removes points. However, a Superior Court judge or Judicial Bureau hearing officer may waive points for a moving violation in the interests of justice if the driver had no points in the past five years and no more than three points in the past 10 years, the violation carries no more than three points, it was not in a commercial vehicle, and it caused no injury or property damage. 23 V.S.A. § 2501(b) |
| Virginia | Completing a DMV-certified driver improvement clinic subtracts five demerit points (or awards safe driving points if the driver has fewer than five demerit points); a driver can hold no more than five safe driving points. Voluntary attendance earns either the point benefit or an insurance premium reduction, not both, no more than once in a two-year period. If a court orders the clinic, the court decides whether safe driving points are awarded. For a first handheld-phone violation, a court may order a driver improvement clinic instead of a conviction. Va. Code §§ 46.2-498, 46.2-818.2(C); DMV, The Points System |
| Washington | There are no points to remove, but a court may defer findings on a contested or mitigation hearing for up to one year with conditions; if the driver meets the conditions and has no new infraction, the court may dismiss the ticket. Only one deferral is allowed in seven years for moving violations, and commercial drivers are not eligible. Separately, completing a DOL-approved safe driving course can end a too-many-tickets suspension early, once every five years. RCW 46.63.070(5); RCW 46.20.2892 |
| West Virginia | Completing an approved classroom Defensive Driving Course removes 3 points (deducted from the last ticket received before the class). Online courses are not accepted. The course can be used for point reduction once every 12 months and only for points already on the record. If a 30-day suspension (12-13 points) is pending and proof of completion plus the reinstatement fee are submitted before it takes effect, the suspension is rescinded; a suspension for 14 or more points is not affected. The course does not dismiss the ticket. WV DMV, Point System |
| Wisconsin | Completing an approved in-person traffic safety course at a Wisconsin technical college reduces demerit points by three; online courses do not count. The driver has 30 days after completing the course to ask DMV for the reduction, and only one reduction is allowed every three years. If a driver is already suspended with 12, 13, or 14 points, the suspension may be released after the course. The course reduces points; it does not dismiss the ticket. WisDOT DMV, Traffic safety courses; Wisconsin's point system |
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.