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  • 6 Picks for Best Online Defensive Driving Course in New York 2023

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Maybe you’re looking for ways to save up on auto insurance.

Or maybe you’re mere points from getting your license suspended.

Well, there’s a quick way to solve that problem for New York drivers:

Complete a Point & Insurance Reduction Program (PRIP) or Internet Point & Insurance Reduction Program (IPIRP) in a New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)-approved school. 

In other words, all you have to do is finish a defensive driving course and reap its benefits.

But dozens of schools are out there!

And you might find yourself scratching your head wondering:

“Which one has the best online defensive driving course in New York?”

Lucky for you, we’ve listed our top 6 picks below.

But before we dive in, here’s a quick comparison!

6 Picks for Best Online Defensive Driving Course in New York 2021 chart


Best Online Defensive Driving Course in New York

GoToTrafficSchool

6 Picks for Best Online Defensive Driving Course in New York 2021 GoToTrafficSchool

First on the list is one of the fastest defensive driving schools you can go for.

As its name suggests, GoToTrafficSchool is the go-to traffic school for all states.

They’ve been around since 1999!

Were you even alive then?

GoToTrafficSchool has got over 4 million satisfied users taking their courses and reaping the benefits.

Here’s a quick look at their pros and cons:

6 Picks for Best Online Defensive Driving Course in New York 2021 GoToTrafficSchool chart

Once you complete your New York defensive driving course, you get a 10% discount on auto insurance premiums for 3 years.

And then you can retake to renew the discount.

Not only that, finishing a course helps you save your license from being suspended.

You get 3 points on your driving record for speeding, improper passing, and failure to yield the right of way. 

But you can get up to 4 “active” points removed if you finish a defensive driving course.

That means your license is safe!

Here are other things GoToTrafficSchool’s New York Online Defensive Driving course can help you with:

  • Satisfying traffic school court orders
  • Masking moving violations
  • Meeting an employer’s requirement for driving training
  • Qualifying for safe driver discounts

Fun and interactive

No yawning out of boredom here! 

The courses are made to be as engaging as possible since it’s state-required to be 6-hours long.

We know what you’re thinking.

It’s going to be super boring spending 6 hours on lessons you already know!

But thanks to GoToTrafficSchool’s interactive and entertaining courses, you get to avoid hitting the snooze button.

We’re talking text lessons combined with amusing animations, 3D simulations, and audio clips.

And everything is 100% online and mobile-friendly!

You can do your lessons just about anywhere, as long as you’ve got any gadget and internet access.

Free trial

And we’re not just talking about a few lessons!

GoToTrafficSchool lets you study everything for free.

You’ll only pay before taking the final exam and only if you’re satisfied with the course.

Or if you’ve already paid, they can refund you.

Certificates sent to the DMV

After completing your course, GoToTrafficSchool will send your certificate directly to the New York DMV.

All you have to do is relax.

Points off your record? Check!

For auto insurance discounts, you’ll have to show your certificate to your provider.

GoToTrafficSchool pricing 2023


Price:

NY - Defensive Driving Insurance Reduction

$48.95


Reviews

You don’t have to take our word for how awesome GoToTrafficSchool is.

Just look at the reviews!

They’ve got high ratings on TrustPilot from previous course-takers. 

Students mostly praised how the courses were easy to understand. Some thanked GoToTrafficSchool for helping them take points off their record and reduce traffic ticket costs.

So if you want to get those benefits too, check them out today!

6 Picks for Best Online Defensive Driving Course in New York 2021 iDriveSafely

When it comes to online learning, you’d be hard-pressed to find a driving school as good as this one.

iDriveSafely has more than 15 years of expertise under its belt. And over 9 million customers have tried their defensive driving courses.

They’re available in nearly any state and also offer courses in traffic school and driver’s ed.

Here’s a quick summary of what to expect:

Online Defensive Driving Course in New York 2021 iDriveSafely pros cons

iDriveSafely’s New York Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) is one of the fastest and easiest ways to get your reductions.

Finish one and you get your state-mandated 10% auto insurance discount for 3 years.

Plus, you get 4 points off your driving record.

And if that isn’t enough, iDriveSafely also offers a free month of Allstate Roadside Services. That’s free roadside assistance like towing and flat-tire service for you.

100% online

You can take the lessons from any gadget -- anytime, anywhere.

iDriveSafely leaves the class schedule up to you.

You can study anywhere, bookmark the course, and pick up where you left off.

But you have to remember that New York DMV only gives you 30 days to complete the entire thing.

Beyond that, you’ll have to retake the course. And iDriveSafely can’t refund you either if you missed the time frame.

Once you start, you’ll notice that iDriveSafely’s New York PIRP Driving Course has timers per page.

This follows New York state law so they’re sure you’ve completed the entire 6 hours of courses.

Two courses to choose from

Are you a visual learner?

Or maybe you’re more of a reader.

Either way, iDriveSafely has options to choose from to make your experience as painless as possible.

Their Text-Based Courses give you lots of reading material to go through. But you can upgrade to an audio track, if you prefer to listen rather than read.

The Video-Based Courses let you watch 3D animated videos, graphics, visuals, and entertaining scenarios.

No final exam

Good news for those who hate exams:

iDriveSafely’s New York PIRP course doesn’t have one.

Yep, you read that right!

Once you’re done you can get that certificate and be on your merry way.

But you do have to complete the 10-question chapter quizzes.

Score 75% or higher and you’ll advance to the next lesson.

What if you fail the quiz?

You get to up to three retake attempts!

But we’re 100% sure you’d pass it the first time. These are driver safety basics, after all.

Certificates sent to DMV for free

Once you finish, you can relax.

iDriveSafely will handle sending your certificate to the DMV with no extra charges.

To get your auto insurance discount, you’ll have to get a copy of your certificate and show it to your insurance provider.

But don’t worry, iDriveSafely can send you a copy of your certificate too -- FOR FREE.

iDriveSafely pricing 2023


Price:

Defensive PIRP Driving Course for New York

$24.95

Audio Read-Along Feature Upgrade

$4.99

Online Video Format Upgrade

$9.99

Reviews

iDriveSafely has a sparkling 4.8-star rating on TrustPilot from over 17,500 reviews!

Many recommend the school for a stress-free, informative defensive driving course.

The sleek and modern website is easily navigable and engaging.

When it comes to enjoyable refresher courses, you might not find one better than iDriveSafely!

6 Picks for Best Online Defensive Driving Course in New York 2021 Improv

Defensive driving courses could be the driest and most boring thing you’ll ever do.

But what if they were fun?

Improv Traffic School has mastered the art of adding humor to the mix so you laugh and learn.

The best part? Comedians from the world-famous Improv Comedy Club helped write the courses. 

That’s how you know they’ve got the fun stuff!

Here’s a quick summary of what you need to know:

6 Picks for Best Online Defensive Driving Course in New York 2021 Improv pros cons

Improv started over 30 years ago and is approved in almost all states.

They’ve got traffic safety education courses for defensive driving, traffic school, driver improvement, driver’s ed, and more!

Getting started with their New York Defensive Driving is super easy.

All you have to do is sign up on their free express registration and take your course.

Anytime, anywhere

Improv courses are 100% online and can be accessed using any gadget.

Your studies can fit right in your schedule, whatever it is.

Study at home, at a cafe, or even standing in line at the grocery store!

Edutaintment

What the heck is “edutainment”?

Mash “education” and “entertainment” together and you get Improv's own brand of edutainment.

Say goodbye to snooze fest defensive driving courses! Improv uses humor to help you learn.

But of course, it’s not all fun and jokes.

They remain serious about the traffic safety courses you will study. And they’ll give you short, easy lessons with multiple-choice questions after each chapter.

Here’s a short video on what you can expect with Improv’s courses:

Instant certification

In just 30 minutes after you finish your defensive driving course, Improv will process your proof of completion.

That fast and that easy!

Improv will also report your certificate to the DMV for free.

Yes, they’ll save you from all that paperwork and hassle.

Whew.

Improv Traffic School pricing 2023


Price:

Defensive PIRP Driving Course for New York

$27.95


Reviews

Improv has got nothing but good reviews online.

Because who doesn’t love to laugh?

Those who took courses with them appreciated the comedy sections filled with jokes and puns.

Reading chapter after chapter can easily wear you out so Improv’s comedic relief is more than welcome!

6 Picks for Best Online Defensive Driving Course in New York 2021 National Traffic Safety Institute

The National Traffic Safety Institute (NTSI) has been around for almost 5 decades now.

NTSI first started in 1974 and is one of the first few companies that introduced the concept of attending traffic school for citation dismissal.

Fast forward to the present:

NTSI holds more than 3,500 classes a year helping almost 400,000 students.

They’ve trained and instructed over 100 million people to become safer drivers.

Here’s a quick look at their pros and cons:

6 Picks for Best Online Defensive Driving Course in New York 2021 Improv pros cons

Other than defensive driving, you can count on NTSI for other courses too.

They even have DUI programs for some states!

They’ve got everything you need and more to become a better driver.

Quality refresher course

Sure, you already know most of what’s being taught.

It’s a refresher course on the basics after all.

But NTSI has up-to-date lessons and traffic safety info.

Their defensive driving courses include avoiding collisions and the dangers of driving under the influence.

Best of all, these are presented in clear, easy-to-understand language.

You won’t drown in meaningless statistics here!

100% online

You can access your course using any device -- smartphone, tablet, laptop (as long as you have access to the internet, of course).

NTSI lets you start and stop whenever you like.

Thanks to the automatic bookmark feature, you can easily pick your lessons up where you left off.

The entire thing is still 6 hours long but at least you can split that into chunks depending on your free time.

As long as you finish it within the state-mandated 30 days after registering.

Audio read-along

If you’d rather listen than read, this one’s for you.

NTSI’s New York Defensive Driving Course can also be upgraded with an audio read-along feature.

The program highlights in yellow the sentence being narrated.

To include this feature in your package, just tick the “Audio Read-Along” box before checkout.

National Traffic Safety Institute pricing 2023


Product 2

New York Defensive Driving Course

$24.95

Audio Read-Along

$4.95


Reviews

Previous students recommend NTSI for having such informative courses.

Some even shared how their certificate in defensive driving saved them from hefty traffic ticket fines!

They’ve got a 4.7-star rating on TrustPilot.

The negative reviews are left over a year ago which only means one thing:

NTSI has improved so much, their recent students have got nothing to complain about!

6 Picks for Best Online Defensive Driving Course in New York 2021 New York Safety Council

Sharpen your driving skills plus get discounts thanks to the New York Safety Council.

Their New York Online Defensive Driving Course might take 6 hours of your time but you get to reap all the benefits for up to 3 years! 

Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect from them:

Online Defensive Driving Course in New York 2021 New York pros cons

Aside from defensive driving, New York Safety Council also offers a 5-hour pre-licensing course.

So whether you’re a new driver or a seasoned one, New York Safety Council is a one-stop-shop.

Straightforward courses

It’s a no-fuss, no-frills experience.

You get your required lessons in 6 hours plus chapter quizzes to retain info.

The New York Safety Council doesn’t even have a final exam!

But you don’t have to go through all the hours in one sitting.

Since your course is 100% online, you can start and stop whenever you want and finish it any time.

As long as it’s within the state-mandated 30 days from your start date.

Certificates sent to the DMV for free

You don’t need to trouble yourself with the hassle of paperwork.

New York Safety Council will send your certificate of completion to the DMV on your behalf.

And voila -- your points are deducted and your license is safe.

They will also mail you your original certificate so you can present it to your auto insurance provider.

New York Safety Council pricing 2023


Price:

New York Online Defensive Driving Course

$24.95


Reviews

The New York Safety Council boasts of a 4.6 overall satisfaction rating on Shopper Approved.

That’s out of almost 80,000 reviews!

They also scored 4.5 stars on Google Reviews.

People were satisfied most about the entire course being so easy to navigate and finish.

Over at Better Business Bureau, course takers commend the swift customer support response.

This is one of the best online defensive driving courses out there!

6 Picks for Best Online Defensive Driving Course in New York 2021 AARP

In New York, a full coverage car insurance can reach a maximum of $2,777 for 2023.

That’s a lot of money.

AARP Driver Safety wants you to get that auto insurance discount because you need to save your hard-earned cash!

And to get that discount, you only need to finish their AARP New York 6-hour Smart Driver Course.

Here’s a quick summary of the pros and cons:

Online Defensive Driving Course in New York 2021 AARP pros cons

AARP Driver Safety wants you to refresh your driving skills to avoid accidents.

They also make sure you get your 10% auto insurance premiums for 3 years and get those 4-point reductions once in 18 months.

Online and self-paced

You get 30 days to go through the 6-hour New York Smart Driver Course.

Everything is entirely self-paced so you get to decide when to finish it.

Here’s a sneak peek of the course:

Senior citizen-friendly

AARP refresher courses are for any age but they’re the best for senior citizens.

They take pride in being “America's 1st Refresher Course for Drivers Age 50+.”

There are lessons on up-to-date traffic safety.

But most importantly, they’ll teach you the proper use of technology in modern cars.

That’s stuff like how anti-lock brakes, airbags, and safety belts work in new cars.

They’ll also teach you how to adjust your driving due to age-related physical changes.

Member discounts

To get discounts on the courses, consider signing up for AARP membership. It can get you up to a 15% discount on all the courses!

Think about it.

If you’re going to take the New York Smart Driver Course every 3 years for the insurance discount, becoming a member lets you save more in the long run.

You only need to pay $16 for a lifetime AARP membership.

Plus, your AARP membership also gets you discounts on meal deliveries and prescription medication.

AARP Driver Safety pricing 2023


Price:

AARP New York course (AARP members)

$27.95

AARP New York course (non-members)

$32.95


Reviews

For all its straightforward features, AARP Driver Safety hasn’t escaped criticism.

Many mention the course programs that often crash and freeze.

The lessons tend to be a bit repetitive too. 

Overall, it’s good info for senior citizens but they should anticipate the software glitches.


Best Online Defensive Driving Course in New York FAQ

Still got questions?

Take a chill pill!

We’ve got answers to your most pressing ones.

What are the Benefits of Taking an Online Defensive Driving Course in New York?

There are lots of benefits when you complete a course but here are the two main ones:

Auto insurance discount

Show your certificate of completion to your insurance provider and they’ll give you up to a 10% discount on your auto insurance premiums.

This discount is valid for 3 years.

Retake the online defensive driving course in 3 years and you get another 10%.

But before you enroll in a school, always check if they’re recognized by your provider.

Otherwise, you’ve just wasted your time!

Dock points off your driving record

New York DMV allows a reduction of up to 4 points off your license if you complete a course.

If you’re in danger of license suspension, you need those 4 demerits.

BUT!

Your point history will still be on your record. The DMV just won’t count it as “active” points anymore.

You can take an online defensive driving course every 18 months to get this benefit.

Aside from these two, completing a defensive driving course will help you become a better driver.

It can also satisfy a court order or meet an employer’s requirement for driving training.

How Long Does Online Defensive Driving Take in New York?

You need to go through the state-mandated 6 hours of defensive driving courses. You’ll also have to complete it within 30 days.

Otherwise, you repeat the entire thing -- with pay.

But don’t worry, you don’t have to go through all of the online lessons in one sitting.

That’s what we love about online classes.

You can stop and start any time you like!

How Do I Register for a New York Online Defensive Driving Course?

After you’ve decided on your best pick for a school, registering is easy.

All you have to do is sign up, pay, and start the course.

Some defensive driving schools -- like GoToTrafficSchool -- even let you try out the course for free first.

You’ll only pay before you get the certificate and only if you’re satisfied.

Pretty sweet deal, don’t you think?

How Much Do Online Defensive Driving Courses in New York Cost?

Depending on the online defensive driving school you choose, it should cost around $24 to $49.

Some schools even offer discounts that lower the prices even more.

That’s a small investment compared to the benefits you’ll have when you finish it.

Just think about how much you’re going to save on insurance premiums.

Are Online Defensive Driving Courses Better Than In-Person Classes?

Classrooms are stuffy.

Plus, you’ll never know if you’ll get a boring instructor.

Why risk it when you can have freedom with online classes?

You can schedule those 6 hours of defensive driving courses around your plans for the day.

Best of all you can sit back and relax on your couch (or on your bed!).

That trumps the stress of having to commute.

So unless you’re old-fashioned and would rather sit through a sleep-inducing lecture, online defensive driving courses are a 100x better!

Are You Ready to Choose Your Best Online Defensive Driving Course in New York?

That’s our top 6 picks for defensive driving schools in New York! Now it’s up to you to decide.

Picking one boils down to your preference.

Do you want painless courses in an engaging mix of text and video?

Go for GoToTrafficSchool

Maybe you’ll learn better with a comedic approach?

You can try out Improv Traffic School.

Whichever defensive driving school you end up with, if you pick from our best ones above, you’ll finish your course and get those benefits ASAP.

Tell us which online defensive driving course in New York you’re thinking about!

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