How to Find Defensive Driving Courses in Hawaii

The best way to find a defensive driving course in Hawaii is by visiting your county or island’s DMV.
Written by Brittni Brinn
Reviewed by Hillary Kobayashi
background
Taking a defensive driving course in Hawaii could help you fulfill a traffic court requirement or earn you a discounted rate on your
car insurance
. Before you sign up, make sure the course is approved by the traffic court or your insurance provider.
Driving violations in the state of Hawaii are no joke. If you commit enough traffic violations or one major infraction, like driving under the influence (DUI),
your license will be suspended
. In some cases, the traffic court will require you to take a defensive driving course before your license can be reinstated.
There are
other benefits
of taking a state-approved driving course, though! We’ll go over what traffic school can do for you and how you can find an approved course in Hawaii. 

Taking a defensive driving course in Hawaii could…

…dismiss a minor traffic ticket

Hawaii doesn’t use a points system, but if your traffic tickets pile up, you could be facing license suspension or revocation. In some cases, you can sign up for traffic school in order to have a citation dismissed. 
If traffic court gives you the option to sign-up for a defensive driving course, make sure you: 
  • Contact the court that issued the citation to make sure the course you sign-up for is approved. Follow the court’s requirements and keep all of your receipts and documents pertaining to the driving course.
  • Enroll in a Hawaii defensive driving course or traffic school as approved by the court. 
  • Pass the course and send proof of your completion—most courses will provide a certificate of completion—to the court. 
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…help you get your license back

License suspension or revocation is the penalty for serious infractions, like
DUIs
, but your license can also be suspended if you fail to pay child support or if you have a bunch of minor traffic violations on your record. 
In some cases, you can take a driving course to cut down the suspension period or to show that you are making efforts to improve your driving by attending traffic school. Here are the steps you can take: 
  • Contact your local DMV to check your eligibility. Not every driver can get their license back by taking a driving course—the court decides on a case-by-case basis. 
  • Find an approved defensive driving school. Traffic court may have already provided you with a list of eligible traffic schools, but if not, contact the DMV.
  • Complete the course. Provide your certificate of completion to the DMV or the court along with your reinstatement fee and
    SR-22 certificate of insurance
    (if required). 

…earn you an insurance discount

Another reason to take a defensive driving course is to reduce your
car insurance
premiums. Providers usually offer a significant discount—usually between five and twenty percent in Hawaii—for drivers who make an effort to improve their driving skills and traffic knowledge.
To get a discount for attending traffic school, follow these steps: 
  • Call your insurance provider to see if you qualify for a
    driver safety discount
    if you take a course. 
  • Sign-up for a defensive driving course approved by your insurance company. 
  • Pass the course and send your certificate to your insurance provider. 
Remember that not every driving course will qualify for a discount. That’s why it’s so important to check with your provider first!

…improve your driving skills

A defensive driving course can also benefit you by honing your driving skills, giving you the opportunity to revisit the ins and outs of traffic laws, and providing defensive driving tips!
There are two kinds of defensive driving courses: online or in-person. Online courses will typically use videos, animations, and quizzes to test your knowledge. In-person courses provide a more hands-on experience with the material and typically include group discussions. 
Driver education can help you avoid infractions in the future, which is the best outcome! You won’t have to worry about sky-high insurance premiums or spending time in traffic court—instead, you can enjoy insurance discounts and safe driving for years to come! 
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How to find Hawaii defensive driving courses 

It should be relatively easy to find defensive driving courses in Hawaii—the trick is to make sure you sign-up for the right one! 
In order to be accepted by the traffic court or your insurance provider, the traffic school you attend must be approved. If you’re uncertain if the driving course you’ve found is eligible, you can call your insurance provider or visit your local DMV.  
In cases where you have to take a course to fulfill the traffic court’s requirements after a citation, you will probably receive a list of traffic schools approved by the court. Depending on your county or island of residence, you’ll likely have a few options to choose from.
If you prefer to take the course online, there are plenty of options available.
iDriveSafely®
and
DriveSafe Online®
are some popular online traffic schools, but again, you should contact your insurance company or the DMV to check if the course is approved before you sign up. 

How much is a defensive driving course in Hawaii?

How much you pay for a defensive driving course in Hawaii will depend on the provider, but courses generally start at between $25 and $50. For multi-day or in-person courses for license reinstatement, you may have to pay $85 or more. 

How long is a defensive driving course in Hawaii? 

You can expect a driving course to take between one and eight hours. In-person courses will generally run longer than online courses. Virtual traffic schools may allow you to complete the course at your own pace.
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