How to Find Defensive Driving Courses in Alaska

Defensive driving courses are available to any Alaska residents looking to reduce license points, brush up on state traffic laws, or earn insurance discounts.
Written by Kathryn Mae Kurlychek
In Alaska, taking a defensive driving course could deduct two points off your license, help you get a minor traffic ticket dismissed, earn you an
Alaska car insurance
discount, and give you greater confidence behind the wheel. While defensive driving courses are open to all Alaskans, only some may satisfy court orders or insurance companies—so be sure to check before signing up. 
Whether you’re one ticket away from a suspended license or you’re looking for smart ways to save money on your
car insurance
—-or both—taking a defensive driving course could be the answer. In Alaska, earning 12 points on your driver’s license in as many months means mandatory suspension. But reducing points isn’t the only benefit of taking a defensive driving course.
In this article, we break down the ways that defensive driving courses can actually save you money, then help you find the right program. Ready to learn more? Let’s get started. 
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Taking a defensive driving course in Alaska could…

…reduce points on your driver’s license

In Alaska, taking a defensive driving course can deduct two points from your accumulated driver’s license points. 
Any driver can take a defensive driving course once a year (every 12 months) to reap the benefits of reduced points on their license. Upon completing the course, the program you participated in will fax proof of completion (along with any other necessary information) over to the
Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles
(DMV). Points-reduction defensive driving courses typically cost between $25 and $50.

…dismiss a minor traffic ticket

If the court grants you permission to take a defensive driving course following a traffic violation, you may have the opportunity to get your most recent ticket scrubbed from your driving history. But in order to do so, you’ll need court approval first—and then you’ll have to select a program pre-authorized by the court. 

…earn you an insurance discount

Most insurance companies offer discounts for policyholders who complete driver improvement programs, including driver education and defensive driving courses. And since any Alaskan is welcome to take the state’s offered defensive driving courses, it’s a great way to save money in the long term on your insurance premium!
To earn a
discount on your auto insurance
(while also brushing up on Alaska traffic laws), just follow these steps:
  • Contact your insurance company to see if you’re eligible for a driver safety discount. 
  • Find a defensive driving course that’s approved by your insurance company. 
  • Take the course and send your certificate of completion to your insurance provider. 
Once your provider has received proof of course completion, they can enroll you for discount eligibility. On average, a driver safety discount can cut your insurance costs by 10% to 30%! 

…fulfill employment requirements

If you hold an
Alaska commercial driver’s license (CDL)
, some employers may require you to take defensive driving courses as part of your training or to satisfy certain requirements. If that’s the case, your employer or auto insurance provider will typically take care of the associated costs (or reimburse you for the course after the fact). 

…improve your driving skills

Defensive driving courses aren’t designed to make you suffer—they’re actually packed with tons of important information, including safe driving advice, details on your state’s traffic laws, defensive driving strategies, and other knowledge that can make you a better driver—and help you gain confidence behind the wheel. 
Online defensive driving courses usually use videos, animations, and quizzes to help cover information and test your knowledge, while in-person courses center group discussions and hands-on experiences. Both types are offered to drivers by the Alaska DMV. 

How to find Alaska defensive driving courses

The easiest way to find approved defensive driving courses is through the
Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles
. The DMV’s Department of Administration website has a
list of approved courses
you can choose from depending on where you live. There are also a number of online and web-only courses available.  
Once you navigate to the site, just click the tab that corresponds to your location and browse through the links for more information on each course. The DMV’s site even lets you refine your course search by your license type (commercial, motorcycle, etc).

How much is a defensive driving course in Alaska?

The cost of defensive driving courses in Alaska can vary—but most classes start around $25, and range up to $50 or $55. If you’re taking a course to fulfill employment requirements, your employer should cover or reimburse you for any registration fees. 

How long is a defensive driving course in Alaska? 

Usually between one and eight hours. The length of time it takes depends on a couple of factors, including whether you choose an in-person or online course. While in-person courses are generally longer, they can be more engaging than online modules—which are generally quicker, although they allow you to work at your own pace (so the time it takes ultimately depends on you). 
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