How to Find Defensive Driving Courses in Colorado

You can take an approved defensive driving course to dismiss a minor traffic citation with court approval, prevent points from being added to your record or earn discounted insurance rates in Colorado.
Written by Talullah Blanco
Reviewed by Claire Beaney
background
Taking a defensive driving course in
Colorado
could dismiss a minor traffic citation, prevent points from being added to your driving record, and earn discounts on your car insurance premium. Just make sure the course is approved by the court or insurance company before you sign up. 
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Taking a defensive driving course in Colorado could…

…dismiss a minor traffic ticket and prevent points

Most Colorado Traffic Court Judges will allow drivers to take a defensive driving course to dismiss a traffic ticket for a minor moving violation (like a
Colorado speeding ticket
) and prevent points from being added to your driving record. A single course will dismiss one traffic ticket and those related violation points.
To get a traffic ticket dismissed and prevent points from being added to your
Colorado driving record
with a defensive driving course, you must:
  • Contact the court that issued the citation to be granted approval for this option. In order to qualify, your ticket must be for a minor moving violation.
  • Enroll in a Colorado defensive driving course approved by the court
  • Complete the course by the specified deadline and submit a certificate of completion along with any citation fees to the court 

…earn you an insurance discount

As a way to reward and encourage safe driving habits, most
car insurance
companies offer discounts to policyholders who take defensive driving courses. Here’s how to start saving on your insurance premiums:
  • Call your insurance provider to see if you qualify for a
    safe driver discount program
     
  • Find a defensive driving course approved by your insurance provider
  • Complete the course and submit a certificate of completion to your insurance company
Not all defensive driving courses will qualify you for an insurance discount from your provider. For instance, GEICO provides discounts to policyholders in Colorado who complete an online defensive driving course through the National Safety Council (NSC) or American Safety Council, but you must be at least 50 years of age and have taken the course voluntarily to be eligible. 
In fact, available discounts and eligibility requirements vary from insurer to insurer and state by state. That’s why it is important to contact your insurance carrier before you sign up for a course so you can optimize your savings!

…improve your driving skills

The goal of defensive driving courses is to make better drivers and safer roads. That’s why Colorado courts will dismiss minor traffic tickets and insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who complete a defensive driving course. 
Taking a defensive driving course will not only give you a refresher on basic driving knowledge and traffic laws, but it will also help you learn techniques to handle unexpected hazards on the road.
Whether you opt for a virtual defensive driving course or in-person class, you’ll emerge a better driver equipped with defensive driving techniques that will help you avoid costly car accidents, saving you money down the road!

How to find Colorado defensive driving courses 

Finding a defensive driving course in Colorado is a relatively straightforward process–what’s complicated is finding one that meets your needs.
If you want to have a traffic ticket dismissed or get discounted insurance premium rates, your defensive driving course must be approved by the traffic court that issued your citation, the
Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
, or your insurance company. 
One great resource is the
Institute for Specialized Alternative Education (ISAE)
, the leading provider of court-approved defensive driving courses in Colorado since 1988. They offer two online defensive driving courses that satisfy court requirements and can earn insurance discounts. You can take the
Level 1 Defensive Driving Course
for minor traffic violations and insurance rate reductions and for multiple traffic offenses or more serious violations, there’s the
Level 2 Defensive Driving Course.  
There are also several other national online traffic schools that offer defensive driving courses for Colorado drivers to choose from.
DriveSafe Online®
and
iDriveSafely®
are two of the most popular online traffic schools with affordable defensive driving courses available that can be completed at your own pace. But don’t forget to contact your insurance provider or the Colorado Traffic Court that issued your ticket to make sure they satisfy their requirements before you sign up.

How much is a defensive driving course in Colorado?

A Colorado defensive driving course costs between $25 and $60 on average but will vary depending on the provider and the course. For example, the ISAE Level 2 Defensive Driving Course costs $75 because it’s for repeated violations.

How long is a defensive driving course in Colorado? 

You can expect a defensive driving course to last anywhere from one to eight hours. An in-person course may take an entire day, whereas an online course can be completed in an hour or at whatever pace you desire. Just be sure the defensive driving course is completed within the deadline assigned by the Colorado court.
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