How to Find a Defensive Driving Course in California

Drivers over 55 can get an insurance premium discount in California for completing a DMV-approved mature driver improvement course.
Written by R.E. Fulton
Edited by Kathleen Flear
You may qualify for a discount on your
car insurance
premium in
California
if you are at least 55 and complete a DMV-approved “mature driver improvement course.” You can find and enroll in one of these courses by visiting the DMV website and confirming that you are eligible with your insurance provider.
  • All
    California car insurance companies
    are required to offer the mature driver improvement course discount to seniors, but discount percentages and eligibility vary depending on your provider and your driving record.
  • The California DMV maintains a list of approved courses online, but you’ll need to double-check with your insurance company before you enroll.
  • A first-time mature driver improvement course lasts at least 400 minutes and costs no more than $30.
  • A course completion certificate will cost you $1. 

Seniors can earn an insurance discount by taking an online defensive driving course for mature drivers

Drivers in the state of California who are over 55 years old can take a DMV-approved “mature driver training course” in exchange for a
car insurance discount
. Discount amounts and eligibility depend on your insurance company, so contact your insurance agent before you sign up.
Classes can be completed either in person or online, and there are more than 70 courses approved by the California DMV. Online defensive driver training allows you to learn at your own pace, but some drivers benefit from hands-on support. 

How to find a mature driver training course in California

How it works: 
  • Contact your insurance provider to confirm that you are eligible for this discount and verify that they will accept the course.
  • Complete the course.
  • Pass the final exam.
  • Present your certificate of completion to your insurance company (the course provider may be able to send this to your insurer on your behalf).
Your mature driver training discount will last for the next three years. When it expires, you’ll have the opportunity to take a renewal course to maintain your defensive driver discount.
Essential details:
  • First-time class duration: At least 400 minutes
  • Renewal class duration: At least 240 minutes
  • Fee: Up to $31

Benefits of the California mature driver course

California’s mature driver improvement course will go over:
  • Defensive driving
  • Motor vehicle laws in California
  • Rules of the road
  • How fatigue, medications, alcohol, visual impairments, or auditory impairments can affect your driving ability 
Besides netting you a car insurance discount, a defensive driving course can help you to: 
  • Practice safe driving techniques
  • Improve your reaction time while driving
  • Anticipate hazards on the road
  • Be more vigilant toward other drivers
  • Understand your own driving limitations and adjust accordingly
  • Reduce the risk of collisions
  • Save money on your car insurance premiums

Defensive driving classes are not the same as traffic school

  • California’s mature driver improvement courses (and all defensive driving courses) are optional, voluntary, and approved by the DMV
  • California traffic school is typically mandated or approved by the California court and/or the DMV after certain traffic violations
If you receive one point on your
California driver’s license
for a moving violation such as speeding or
running a red light
, a judge may allow you to attend traffic school to avoid having the citation reported to your insurance company. 
Like defensive driving schools, an in-person or online traffic school course will improve your driving skills and help you become a safer driver.
Traffic school won’t earn you a discount on car insurance (and it won’t clear your driving record), but it could help you avoid a rate increase after your traffic ticket.
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FAQs

Defensive driving is the practice of following the rules of the road and making smart decisions behind the wheel to drive safely and avoid traffic infractions.
Only for mature drivers 55 years old and older. All California insurance companies must offer a discount to seniors who take an approved defensive driving course, but the amount and duration of the discount vary.
To satisfy the requirements of CA DMV’s mature driver improvement program, a course must include at least 400 minutes of actual classroom instruction (e.g. not counting registration time, breaks, etc.) for an initial course, and 240 minutes for a renewal course.
Only drivers 55 and older are eligible for the state-mandated mature driver defensive driving discount in California. Other drivers may choose to take a voluntary defensive driving course to improve driver safety, but there’s no guarantee that your insurer will reward you with a discount. 
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