Driver Improvement Clinics: Your Guide to Safer Roads and Compliance
A driver improvement clinic is an excellent way to enhance your driving skills, meet DMV requirements, and get back on the road safely. This guide covers everything you need to know about driver improvement clinics, from eligibility to benefits.
What Are Driver Improvement Clinics?
Driver improvement clinics are designed to teach defensive driving techniques that help prevent crashes. These eight-hour classroom sessions cost no more than $100 and are available at various locations or online. If you’re considering a computer-based course, confirm with the court that it will accept the online option. For drivers under 20, both online and classroom instruction are available.
Who Needs to Attend a Driver Improvement Clinic?
Drivers may be required to attend a clinic by the DMV or a court for a number of reasons, including accruing demerit points or being subject to court-mandated corrective actions. Underage drivers might choose from specialized solutions.
If required by DMV, drivers must finish the entire eight-hour course. Driving privileges may be suspended if this is not done within ninety days. The 90-day period may be extended for military members, students attending college outside of Virginia, or their dependents stationed out of state. Extensions usually continue until there is a lull in your schedule and are only given if no approved clinics are available.
Safe Driving Points: How They Work
You could receive five safe driving points after completing a driver improvement clinic. The maximum balance is five points, and these points can be increased once every 24 months. If attendance is mandated by the court, however, the court will decide whether you are eligible for safe driving points.
Insurance Discounts for Mature Drivers
Drivers 55 and older who finish an accident prevention course may be eligible for rate discounts from insurance companies. You won’t be eligible for safe driving points if you take a clinic for insurance. Similarly, you are not eligible for insurance premium reductions if you attend court-mandated clinics. Verify any advantages with your insurance company.
Demerit Points
Conviction for a traffic infraction results in the assignment of demerit points. For two years following the date of the offense, the demerit points linked to a conviction are still in effect. Merit points can accumulate. DMV adds more demerit points to your record each time you commit a traffic infraction. For some drivers, this can lead to serious issues. Depending on how significant the infraction is, different points are awarded for different offenses.
