Taking a defensive driving course—also known as Basic Driver Improvement Courses (BDIC)—provides an opportunity for Michigan drivers with recent driving violations to avoid any points being reported to their car insurance
company. Michigan uses a driver violation points
system to record and report any car-related infractions to your insurance company. These can have devastating effects on your insurance rates, and 12 or more points could see your Michigan license getting suspended
. However, you aren’t completely out of hope once the officer hands over a ticket. Many moving violations in Michigan come with the opportunity for drivers to redeem themselves. Here’s everything you need to know about finding and taking a defensive driving course in Michigan to avoid points from a traffic ticket.
Taking a defensive driving course in Michigan could…
…dismiss a minor traffic ticket
Michigan offers eligible drivers the chance to avoid getting points on their record from a non-criminal ticket if it’s worth three points or fewer. How? By completing a state-approved Basic Driver Improvement Course!
So long as you hold a valid, non-commercial Michigan driver’s license
and the offense occurred in Michigan, you should receive information in the mail about your eligibility to take a course with a state-approved BDIC sponsor. The fees for these courses are capped at a maximum of $100 by law. There is a 60-day deadline from the notice of eligibility to complete your BDIC and avoid any points from the ticket. Your BDIC Sponsor will notify the state upon your completion, so all you have to worry about is passing your class!
Take note, you will still be responsible for any fines, fees, and court costs. Additionally, drivers with more than two driver violation points already on their record are not eligible to reduce the points from a new ticket with a BDIC. That means you cannot use this option to avoid a license suspension if you’re already within three points of the 12-point threshold.
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…avoid an increase in your insurance premium
Under Michigan insurance laws, any points accrued on your driving record must be reported to your insurance company. This will result in an inevitable increase to your insurance premium so long as those points stay on your record
. And it’s not just an extra kick to the shin, while you’re already down. Racking up driver violation points indicates that you are a high-risk driver
. Insurance providers account for this added risk by raising premiums. But if you complete a BDIC and avoid the points from a ticket altogether, you won’t have to worry about your insurance rates changing due to your driving record anytime soon! …earn you an insurance discount
A Michigan BDIC will help you avoid an increase in your insurance rates, but a standard Michigan defensive driving course could also help you lower them with a discount if you have an otherwise clean driving record
! You don’t even need to get a ticket—just follow these steps: Ask your insurance agent if any discounts are offered for taking a defensive driving course.
Enroll in a defensive driving course that’s sponsored by your insurance provider.
Submit your certificate of completion to your insurance provider upon passing.
A discount-eligible Michigan defensive driving course is not necessarily the same as a BDIC offered by the same institution. In many cases, the BDIC is specifically offered to comply with state mandates. The defensive driving course, on the other hand, is solely focused on driver improvement, making it all the more eligible for an insurance discount. Always talk to your insurance agent to make sure you’re taking the right defensive driving course.
…improve your driving skills
Besides avoiding points or getting discounts, a Michigan defensive driving course is a great way to brush up on your Michigan driving laws
. You can often take these courses online from the comfort of your home. They cover state laws, safe driving habits, and defensive driving strategies that make you better equipped to tackle Michigan roads. Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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The most important thing to remember when looking for a Michigan defensive driving course is to make sure that it’s approved for the purpose you need it for.
If you want to take a Michigan BDIC to avoid points from a recent traffic violation, you’ll need to choose a BDIC-specific course from an institution that is approved by the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS). The eligibility notice that you receive in the mail should have clear steps to find one, or you can look at the Michigan SOS list of approved BDIC sponsors
online. If you want to take a Michigan defensive driving course to reap some insurance benefits, the best course of action is to talk to your insurance agent first. If your insurance agent offers a discount for completing a defensive driving course, you’ll need to complete it with an institution that they’ve vetted and approved.
iDriveSafely®
and Michigan Defensive Driving School
are popular online course providers approved by the SOS. There’s a high likelihood that these courses would also be favored by insurance companies, but once again, it’s best practice to ask your insurance agent.How much is a defensive driving course in Michigan?
Michigan BDIC fees are capped at a maximum of $100 by Michigan law. The exact fee varies depending on the institution, the type of course you take, and whether you take the course in person or online. Still, a state-mandated course for a traffic violation should not exceed $100.
How long is a defensive driving course in Michigan?
The time to complete a Michigan defensive driving course varies, but you can count on at least four hours of instruction for a BDIC. Other defensive driving courses (like ones required for certain traffic violations) typically take six hours, and you can generally expect that Michigan defensive driving courses won’t exceed eight hours.
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