Completing a defensive driving course can help you get back your suspended Kentucky driver’s license, avoid driver’s license violation points, or earn a discount on your car insurance
. But to reap these rewards, your defensive driving course must be approved by the state of Kentucky. Driver’s license violations can cause big problems in Kentucky. Citations can add violation points to your driving record which can lead to fines, higher car insurance rates, and even a suspended license
. If you accumulate 12 points in two years, your driving privileges will be reviewed by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. However, you might be able to keep points from piling up on your license by taking a state-approved defensive driving course. In this article, we’ll show you all the benefits of taking a Kentucky-sanctioned defensive driving course.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Taking a defensive driving course in Kentucky could…
…reduce points on your driver’s license
If you have accumulated violation points
on your Kentucky driver’s license
, you may be able to have some removed by taking a driver's education course. To remove points from your license you must apply for a referral from the Kentucky Division of Driver Licensing. The DDL will respond in a letter with your eligibility and how many points will be removed from your license upon successful completion of the course. Kentucky drivers may only use this option to reduce driver’s license points once every 12 months. Once you are approved for Kentucky State Traffic school, the referral becomes a court order, and failure to comply can lead to your license being suspended.
…help you get your license back
In Kentucky, drivers who accumulate 12 violation points within two years automatically have their driving privileges reviewed by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). The result of such a review can be probation or even license suspension, and if you fail to appear for your review hearing, your license will be suspended automatically.
Taking a state-sanctioned driver training course can help you keep violation points off of your driver’s license, but you must be referred to a driver training program by the court to keep those points from showing up on your license.
…earn you an insurance discount
Many insurance providers offer car insurance discounts
on car insurance to customers who complete defensive driving programs. To take advantage of this, contact your insurance company to see if they offer a defensive driving discount. Next, find a driver training course approved by your insurer, and show your insurance company proof of successful completion. Taking a defensive driving course can save you money on your car insurance in more ways than one. Traffic points accumulate on your three-year Kentucky driver’s abstract, which is the driving record available to the public, including your insurance company. By keeping points off of your driving record, you can avoid expensive hikes to your insurance premiums.
…improve your driving skills
Taking a course that improves your knowledge of traffic laws, safe driving fundamentals, and defensive driving strategies can help you become a more responsible driver. Online classes use videos and interactive quizzes to build your knowledge and skills, while in-class training provides an opportunity for group discussion, instructor feedback, and hands-on learning.
Even if taking a defensive driving course doesn’t directly lower your insurance costs or remove points from your driver’s license, it will improve your driving, which will help you avoid costly accidents that can cause your car insurance to jump up even higher. Points are also removed from your Kentucky driver’s license after two years, so if you can go several years in a row without a violation, you can make a lot of headway toward reducing your violation points and your overall insurance costs.
How to find Kentucky defensive driving courses
There are many defensive driving courses available in Kentucky, but to keep points from adding up on your Kentucky driver’s license, or to have points removed from your license, you must be referred to a course that meets the Division of Driver Licensing (DDL) and State Court standards.
You must apply for a driver training referral to the district where your citation was issued to avoid having points added to your license or to have points removed. You will receive a letter from the DDL with instructions on how to register for your in-class course. You may also be able to complete an online course to reduce or avoid points. The KYTC provides links on its website
to approved online driver training courses. Alternatively, you may be able to enroll in a Court Attorney Traffic Safety Program
. Completing this program will dismiss all charges and no points will be added to your license, whereas with the state traffic school provided by the KYTC, charges may still be kept on your driving record, which can negatively affect your Kentucky car insurance costs. How much is a defensive driving course in Kentucky?
A defensive driving course will cost you somewhere between $149 and $173, depending on which course you take.
The CATS Program course costs $170 including fees. The state traffic school costs $15 for in-person classes and $39 for online classes. Both fees are non-refundable and are charged in addition to a $134 administration fee.
How long is a defensive driving course in Kentucky?
Kentucky defensive driving courses can be completed in between one and four hours, depending on the type of course you choose.
State-approved online defensive driving courses can take as little as four hours to complete. These courses are self-guided, so you can go at your own pace, but you must complete the course within 30 days of receiving your citation. The CATS Program is even faster, with just one hour of required coursework.
In-class courses last four hours and take place at various times. It can take up to six weeks for an applicant to be scheduled for an in-person course, and you must register for in-person training within 30 days of the violation.
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