Defensive Driving Course Benefits - NJ Driver Improvement Program (2024)

Almost all New Jersey drivers have heard about defensive driving courses and have had a few people recommend that they complete one. Most people, however, have no idea how beneficial these programs can be. Aside from clearing up your driving record and saving you money on your auto insurance premium, NJ defensive driving courses will also make you a better driver. The knowledge you'll gain will improve your chances of a safe trip and make the roads a safer place for everyone. The benefits are a great reward for such a quick, easy and affordable course.

Before you enroll in a New Jersey defensive driving course, you should know about all of the great benefits you will receive after completing one:

  • You will receive a New Jersey Auto Insurance Discount
  • Up to two points will be removed from your New Jersey driving record
  • You will become a better, more confident driver

New Jersey Auto Insurance Discount

The biggest appeal of a defensive driving course is the New Jersey auto insurance discount that you will receive after you complete one. The discount amount varies based on your insurance provider but will usually be somewhere between 5% and 10%. This can save the average driver hundreds of dollars over the three years that the discount will be valid for. Best of all, you can re-take the course every three years to keep the discount active. This New Jersey auto insurance discount is mandatory, according to New Jersey Statute 17:33B-45.1. All insurance providers must offer it to any driver that completes an MVC approved NJ defensive driving course.

For only a few hours of your time and the low cost of most programs, you can save yourself a good amount of money in the long run. Upon completion of your NJ defensive driving course, you will receive a certificate of completion. Simply present that document to your insurance provider to receive your discount.

New Jersey Driving Record Point Reduction

Another great benefit of NJ defensive driving courses is the two point reduction that the MVC will apply to your driving record when you complete one. As you probably know by now, points on your driving record are not good. In addition to potentially raising your auto insurance rates, an accumulation of too many points can have some bad consequences:

  • Surcharges: If six or more points are added to your driving record within three years you will be subject to costly Surcharges. These charges start at $150.00 for six points and increase by $25.00 for each additional point. Depending on the timing of your violations, you may be subject to this surcharge for up to three years.
  • Suspension: If you accumulate 12 or more points on you driving record at any time, your license will be Suspended and you will lose your driving privileges. In order to reinstate your license, you will be required to pay a restoration fee of $100.00 and follow a series of steps before you are allowed to get behind the wheel again. You'll also have to complete an MVC managed Driver Improvement Program that carries a $150.00 charge and you will be subject to a mandatory probation period.

None of these consequences should sound remotely appealing, and luckily there are ways to avoid them. Of course, you want to avoid receiving NJ traffic tickets by following traffic laws at all times. Not only are citations expensive, but they can lead to the problems discussed above. Every moving violation carries a specific number of points. When you receive a NJ traffic ticket, the points associated with that violation are transferred to your driving record. Below are the Point Values for some common violations:

Defensive Driving Course Benefits - NJ Driver Improvement Program (1)

Once these points are on your driving record, they can quickly add up and cost you quite a lot of money in insurance increases and MVC fees. Thankfully, the New Jersey MVC will remove these points for a couple different reasons:

  1. Three points will be removed if you go one full year without receiving a violation or having your license suspended.
  2. Two points will be removed if you complete a NJ defensive driving course. This can be done once every five years.

New Jersey defensive driving courses will help you counteract the effects of NJ traffic tickets and points in an easy, convenient way. If you live in New Jersey, check your driving record. If you have points on it, Sign Up for a course. You'll be glad that you did!

Become a Safer, Defensive Driver

Defensive Driving Course Benefits - NJ Driver Improvement Program (2)

The last, though arguably most important, benefit of an NJ defensive driving course is the Driving Safety education you will receive. Getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle is harder than most people realize. In order to make New Jersey's roads a safer place and decrease the likelihood of you receiving additional NJ traffic tickets, you will learn everything you need to know about:

You can increase your safety and become a better, more confident driver by completing a New Jersey defensive driving course at any time. Many parents even encourage their teenagers to complete the program as an added precaution. If you are interested, Enroll or Give us a Call for more details!

Getting Started

Now that you know exactly how NJ defensive driving courses work, it should be clear why you should complete one. The benefits of completing a course like ours far outweigh the effort required to do so. Just a few hours of your time and you will have a New Jersey auto insurance discount, a cleaner driving record and a renewed sense of safe driving. Register Today to get started!

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Defensive Driving Course Benefits - NJ Driver Improvement Program (2024)

FAQs

Defensive Driving Course Benefits - NJ Driver Improvement Program? ›

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC or simply MVC) is a governmental agency of the U.S. state of New Jersey. The equivalent of the Department of Motor Vehicles in other states, it is responsible for titling, registering and inspecting automobiles, and issuing driver's licenses.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › New_Jersey_Motor_Vehicle_...
allows drivers to take a point reduction course once every five years to reduce two points from their driving record. In addition, you can take the course every three years to qualify for a mandatory discount on your auto insurance rate.

Does defensive driving course reduce points in NJ? ›

Upon completion of the defensive driving course: Two points may be removed* from the accumulated points you currently have on your license.

How much do you save with defensive driving course in NJ? ›

Once you submit your certificate of completion from a New Jersey MJV-approved defensive driving course to your insurance provider, you can receive up to a 10% car insurance discount for 3 years.

What is the 6 hour smart driver course in New Jersey? ›

The six-hour course is now the nation's largest driving refresher course designed for drivers age 50. The course teaches proven driving techniques to help keep you and your loved ones safe on the road. Listed below are the Course Objectives of the AARP Smart Driver Course.

How many times can you take a defensive driving course in NJ? ›

How often can I take the New Jersey Defensive Driving course for point reduction? You can take the course once every five years to reduce two points from your driving record.

How do I get rid of 2 points on my license in NJ? ›

If you complete a Defensive Driving Program, 2 points will be subtracted from your driving record. This program may be used every 5 years and is completely voluntary. To enroll in a MVC approved Defensive Driver Program, visit: www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/Defensive.htm.

What is the driver improvement program dip in NJ? ›

Instead of a 30 day suspension, you may take this “DIP” 3-hour course. This information is included in your suspension notice that you would have recieved in the mail. If you're successful in completing this course, up to 3 points will be credited to your record.

How much will 2 points affect my insurance in NJ? ›

The points that your state's DMV assigns to your license don't directly affect your insurance rates. That's because companies don't figure the amount of points on your license into how much your insurance costs, but they do consider any violations or accidents on your record.

How to avoid points on a speeding ticket in NJ? ›

If you voluntarily take an MVC-approved defensive driving course, you can get two points removed (but this reduction is available only once every five years). For every one year you go without getting a new moving violation, you can get three points removed (but your record can never go below 0 points).

How long does the NJ defensive driving course take? ›

The course must be approved by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). Defensive driving courses last six hours in person. Online courses have the same amount of content but can be done at your own pace. At the end of either course, all participants must pass an exam.

How much does 6 hours of driving school cost in NJ? ›

Six Hour Behind the Wheel Program : $360.00

Additional Help studying for written exam if needed. 6 Hours behind the wheel training. One on one instruction with a qualified professional NJ licensed instructor.

How many hours do you need to practice driving in NJ? ›

NJ's practice-driving law

Under the legislation signed into law on Jan. 8, individuals under the age of 21 with their permit need to complete at least 50 hours of certified practice driving, with a parent or other supervisor in the vehicle, in order to obtain a license.

Can you pay to remove points from a driving licence in NJ? ›

NJ Point Reduction

Once you receive 6 points or more within 3 years, the NJ MVC will impose a surcharge of $150 plus point costs. Before you reach 6 points, you can reduce the number of points on your drivers license by 2 points when you complete the NJ defensive driving course which is available online for $49.00.

How long is the online defensive driving course in NJ? ›

SafeMotorist's New Jersey Online Defensive Driving course makes it simple to avoid point penalties after a traffic ticket and save money on your auto insurance rate. The six-hour course is 100% online and approved by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) for point and insurance reduction.

What is the best course for defensive driving? ›

DriveSafe Online Named “Best Overall Online Defensive Driving Course” by Investopedia.

What is the NJM safe driver discount? ›

It monitors your driving, and provides feedback on your acceleration, speed, braking, cornering, and distracted driving, helping you to become a safer driver. Drivers who enroll in NJM SafeDrive will automatically receive a participation discount on their auto policy.

How bad is 2 points on your license in NJ? ›

Police add points to your driver's license when you commit a violation. In NJ, more minor violations are typically 2 points. Severe violations, such as reckless driving, highway racing, and injuring another driver, are 5-8 points. For a complete list of violations, see the NJ Points Schedule.

How long does it take for points to go away in NJ? ›

The state will remove three points for every 12 months you are violation free, and insurance companies that request your driving report only see the last five years of your record.

Does your insurance go up with 2 points in NJ? ›

The points that your state's DMV assigns to your license don't directly affect your insurance rates. That's because companies don't figure the amount of points on your license into how much your insurance costs, but they do consider any violations or accidents on your record.

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