Does Defensive Driving Class Reduce Car Insurance in Texas
Reader’s Question:
My company here in Denton, Texas, recently sponsored a defensive driving course for its employees and I wonder, I can use this to negotiate a lower rate for my car insurance policy?
Xerxes
Denton, TX
Definitely! You can leverage having taken defensive driving lessons to lower down on your car insurance premiums. Of course the amount of credit or discount towards your car insurance varies between states but having taken these kinds of lessons shows your insurance provider that you are more equipped to drive safer and thus, avoid more car accidents.
There are lots of motor vehicle, driving schools and affiliated organizations offering defensive driving courses. You can consult with your local Department of motor vehicles (DMV) there in Denton, Texas for available and accredited defensive driving course providers. You shouldn’t have to wait to take defensive driving lessons when older or worse, when ordered by a court to do so. Everyone should take advantage of this if they are going to drive.
Do make sure that you get a certificate or consult your insurance agent first about accredited defensive driving schools to make sure that you can get credit to your car insurance. Also make sure you know how long the discount will apply to your policy and if you have to make sure you have no points against your drivers license. The discounts will usually apply towards the portions of your policy covering Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Liability insurance and personal injury protection coverage, and collision liability coverage. Also determine if the discount can be applied to each covered individual under your policy or just towards the vehicle itself.
Defensive Driving Class For Commerical License in California
Reader’s Question:
I have a friend who has a commercial driver’s license. He recently received a ticket while driving in Orange, California. Can he enroll in a defensive class to remove that ticket from his driving record? I did that before years ago. I have a commercial driver’s license too and enrolled in a defensive class. My ticket was removed after completing said course.
Renee
Orange, CA
For a person to enroll in a defensive driving course, there are certain requirements that must be met like:
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must be approved by the judicial officer or court clerk;
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does not have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and;
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traffic violation did not occur while the motorist is using a commercial vehicle.
So, that means your friend cannot enroll in the defensive class to remove his ticket. I assume that the reason why you were able to have your ticker removed by just enrolling in such class (even if you have a CDL) before is because that happened before September 20, 2005. A directive from the Federal Government states that regardless of the type of vehicle used, CDL holders are prohibited to enroll in any defensive class to remove violation on their driving records after September 20, 2005.
You can check with California Department of Vehicles to further get information on defensive driving course or check their website.