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New York Defensive Driving FAQ / Help
Q.
I've heard this course called NY Driver Awareness, NY PIRP and New York
Defensive Driving. What's the real term? Are these all
different
driver safety courses?
A. The New York DMV calls this defensive
driving program the
PIRP program. This stands for Point and Insruance Reduction
Course.
The term New York Defensive Driving
is commonly used to describe this course, and sometimes it can be
called the New York driver awareness course. There is only one
type of
course in New York that offers the pont and insurance reduction
benefits and this is it, not matter what you call it...the benefits are
the same.
Q. How much time does the New York
Defensive Driving / PIRP course take, what is it like, and what does it
cost?
A. Each defensive driving course is at least six hours long, and
is
presented in one or more sessions. (Note: The motorcycle
safety/accident prevention courses takes substantially longer.)
Essential information about traffic safety issues such as driver
attitude and behavior, defensive driving techniques, and the Vehicle
& Traffic Law must be presented in each course. Additional content,
approach, materials and fees vary from one defensive driving sponsor to
another.
Q.
What is the difference between a course sponsor, and a reseller?
Why
isn't www.DefensiveDrivinginNewYork.com on the NY DMV list of defensive
driving sponsors?
A. Trust us, we would love to be on the DMV
list, only it is
limited to a very select few course providers. To provide this
course
to you, we have partnered up with a veteran course sponsor, the USA
Training Company, Inc. We offer you the same defensive driving
course
benefits, and the certificate you receive will actually have the USA
name on it. No matter if you sign up through our New York
defensive
driving website or through the USA site, the price and benefits will be
the same, although we really wish you'd enroll here.
New York Point Reduction
Course Benefits
Q. After I complete
the PIRP course, how do I receive the point reduction?
A. The PIRP sponsor will notify the DMV within ten weeks after
you
complete the course. A notice will then be entered on your driving
record, and the DMV computer will automatically reduce your active
point total by up to four points. Important: Completion of a
course
under the "Point & Insurance Reduction Program" does not remove,
delete, subtract, or erase any violation, conviction, or notice of
original number of points from your driving record. Even after
you
complete the course, most violations, conviction and points assessed
will continue to show on your driving record for up to four years.
Violations and convictions involving drugs or alcohol will remain on
your driving record for ten years. "Point reduction" means the DMV will
not count up to four points on your driving record toward license
revocation or suspension.
Q. How do I know my
driving record shows my PIRP course completion?
A. If you need to verify the course completion has been entered
on
your record, you may request a copy of your driving record from the
DMV. To do so, you must complete a "Request for Driver and/or Vehicle
Record Information" (form MV-15), available at any motor vehicle
office. You may also download this form from the DMV internet
office.
If your course completion is not noted on your driving record more than
ten weeks after you completed it, contact the course sponsor.
Q. What effect does
this New York point reduction course have on my license and driving
record?
A. Point reduction applies only to points assessed for violations
that
occurred within the eighteen months immediately before course
completion. It does not affect points for earlier violations, and
cannot be used as "credit" against future violations or points.
Point reduction cannot reduce your point total lower than zero.
If your license has already been revoked or suspended, or if a
violation hearing has already been scheduled, point reduction will not
affect that action.
Point reduction does not prevent or cancel a mandatory revocation or
suspension for violations such as DWI, DWAI, or three speeding
violations within 18 months.
Points may be reduced only once in any 18-month period. The NY DMV
point system and insurance company "point" systems are separate and not
related. Point reduction on your driving record does not affect points
assigned by your insurance company for violations and accidents.
Completion of a course under the "Point & Insurance Reduction
Program" also cannot prevent or reduce the calculation of points
affecting a "Driver Responsibility Assessment." The most recent
information about the "Driver Responsibility Assessment" program is
available from the DMV Internet Office.
New York Insurance
Reduction Course Benefits
NY Point & Insurance Reduction
Q. After completing the PIRP course, how do I receive the
insurance reduction?
A. The course sponsor should mail you a completion certificate
within
45 days after you complete the course. If you present your certificate
to your insurance company or agent within 90 days after course
completion, your liability and collision premium reduction will begin
immediately, retroactive to the date you completed the course. If you
present your certificate more than 90 days after course completion, the
insurer may issue the premium discount effective from the date
presented. If you do not receive your certificate within eight weeks
after completion, immediately contact the program sponsor. You may take
the course once every 36 months to maintain insurance reduction
benefits.
Q. Will the PIRP
course prevent my insurance company from raising my premiums?
A. No. Insurance reduction does not prevent general premium
increases,
or premium increases due to violations or accidents. It provides a 10%
reduction for three years, from the base rate of your current
liability, no-fault and collision premiums.
Q. What if more than
one person named on a policy completes the Defensive Driving / PIRP
course?
A. The insurance premium reduction applies to all motor vehicles
principally operated by the motorist who completes the course.
The
discount can be applied to only one driver for each covered vehicle.
Q. If I complete a
DMV approved
motorcycle safety/accident prevention course, does the insurance
reduction benefit extend to my automobile coverage?
A. Yes. The reduction applies to the liability and collision
insurance premiums for both your motorcycle and automobile.
Q. Will youthful
operators and drivers participating in assigned risk pool receive the
insurance premium discount?
A. Yes. Any insured driver who is the principal operator and
completes
a Point & Insurance Reduction Program course will receive the
discount.
Q. If a youthful
operator is already
receiving a driver education discount, will the Defensive Driving /
PIRP discount also be applied?
A. Check with your insurance company or agent to find out if both
discounts will be given at the same time.
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APPROVED BY
The New York DMV
and a proud referral partner of:
USA
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