What is the Indiana Driver Safety Program (DPS)?

The Indiana Driver Safety Program is a course on defensive driving techniques and traffic laws that you can take to reduce points or keep points off your driving record. Known also as defensive driving, DPS course or a driver safety course. You can take the DPS Course to meet a BMV requirement, satisfy a court order, and get a 4-point credit on your driver’s license.

If you are eligible and decide not to attend traffic school, your automobile insurance may be adversely affected.

What information is covered in the Indiana Driver Safety Program?

In An Indiana Driver Safety program course, you’ll learn all about Indiana’s traffic laws as well as defensive driving techniques to keep you safe on the road.  You’ll discover how Indiana’s climate, geography, and unique landscape present specific challenges to drivers, and how to handle them.

How can I take An Indiana Driver Safety Program?

The Indiana BMV has approved a variety of Course programs.

• Online
• DVD
• Classroom

Which Indiana DPS course should I take?

Some Traffic School offer specialized courses. We recommend that you choose the course that best suits your needs.

Basic Driver Improvement Course: Most drivers choose the basic driver improvement course to remove up to four (4) points from their driving record and to protect themselves from possible license suspension, or license reinstatement.

Teen Driver: Teen Driver Safety Program is tailored specifically for teen drivers under the age of 20.

Mature Driver: Mature Driver Safety Program is tailored specifically for mature drivers ages 55 and over.

Commercial Driver: Commercial drivers find the truck driver course works best for them.

What are the eligibility requirements for taking an Indiana Driver Safety Program?

• Any Indiana driver can take a Driver Safety Course.
• Indiana State law provides that any persons convicted of two or more traffic offenses within a twelve month period may be required to complete a BMV-approved (DSP)Driver Safety Program.
• DSP course must be completed within 90 days, or driving privileges will be suspended.
• Notification of this requirement is mailed from the BMV An Indiana court may also require an individual to complete a DSP course and use this requirement as an alternative to suspensions of driving privileges; however, the court order may not explicitly require participation in a BMV-approved DPS.
• Individuals under 21 years of age are required to complete a DSP if, they are convicted of two or more traffic offenses, involved in two or more accidents, or a combination of the two.
• The BMV will apply a 4 point credit to an Indiana Official Driver Record for successful completion of a BMV-approved DSP.
• The credit may only be applied once every three years.  However, if an additional course is completed, the time of the credit will be extended for three years from the new course completion date.

• You will receive notice in the mail mandating that you attend a DSP If you are being ordered by the BMV to complete a course.

• If you need court permission to reduce points with a course, generally you must meet the following requirements:

• You must hold a valid non-commercial Indiana drivers license.

• You do not have any outstanding violations on your record, and your license has not been suspended or revoked.

• You have been cited for a minor moving violation.

  If you still are unclear as to whether you qualify for traffic school, contact your court and request more information concerning your particular circumstances. 

You are also NOT eligible for traffic school if you have gone to traffic school for another ticket that you got in the last 36 months. There are other reasons you may not be eligible for traffic school. Check with your local court.

What information is required to register for an Indiana driver Safety Program Course?

• Traffic schools are required to verify your identity with a government-issued ID before traffic school attendance.
• Traffic schools may be required to collect and retain a copy of your traffic citation and a copy of an Indiana court order if one has was issued.

Take a Driver Safety Program Course to  Lower Your Car Insurance

You can benefit from taking an Indiana defensive driving Course, even if you haven’t received a traffic ticket or court order. Many insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who voluntarily take the Indiana Driver Safety course, taking the course can save you money. Check with your insurance provider to see if you can qualify for an auto insurance discount.

It can take up to 10 business days for the BMV to process your completion, so please plan accordingly to meet your deadline. Your license may be suspended if you do not complete your course on time.

How do I know the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles has approved a Driver Safety Program course?

See the list of Approved Indiana Driver Safety Program Schools.

https://www.in.gov/bmv/2571.htm

Do I have to take the Indiana DSP course online all in one sitting or can I finish at another time?

Most schools will allow you to log in and out with your username and password as many times as you like. The Indiana BMV mandates that the course is timed and last 4 hours.

How often can I take an Indiana DSP Course?

You may take the course for credit (to get points off your record) once every three (3) years.

The court or BMV may mandate that you take it more often.

I went to a defensive driving class, but the citation is still on my driving record.  What should I do?

If the traffic citation is the citation for which you attended a defensive driving program, contact the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles and ask them to correct your driver record.