Virginia Defensive Driving Course (DMV Driver Improvement)
This Virginia defensive driving course, offered through our partnership with I Drive Safely, meets the state-required 8 hours of instruction. As a DMV-approved Driver Improvement Clinic, completing it can award up to 5 safe driving points on your Virginia driving record, help you meet a court or state requirement, and earn an eligible auto-insurance discount where permitted — all at your own pace from home. The DMV Driver Improvement Program is required for drivers who accumulate demerit points or are court-ordered.
Who Is This Course For?
Virginia drivers who want a DMV-approved Driver Improvement clinic to award up to 5 safe driving points, meet a court or state requirement, or earn an insurance discount. The 8-hour DMV Driver Improvement Program is required for drivers who accumulate demerit points or are court-ordered.
Course Overview
Virginia offers a DMV Driver Improvement Program for point reduction and court-ordered driver improvement, plus insurance-discount defensive driving. An 8-hour DMV-approved Driver Improvement Clinic can award up to 5 safe driving points on your Virginia driving record and is required for drivers who accumulate demerit points or are court-ordered. This online course, offered through I Drive Safely, meets the state-required 8 hours of instruction and is completed at your own pace on any device.
Completing the course awards safe driving points and reduces the impact of demerit points on your record; it does not erase the underlying violations, and the violations remain on your record. An insurance discount is not guaranteed — whether you receive a discount, and how much, depends on your insurer, so check with your insurer to confirm discount eligibility.
Course at a Glance
Duration
8 hours
Format
100% Online & Self-Paced
Audience
All ages
Requirement
DMV Driver Improvement (8-hr)
Provider
I Drive Safely
Reporting
Up to 5 safe driving points
What You'll Complete
- Meets 8-Hour State Requirement
- Avoid Points on Your License
- Court or State Requirement Eligible
- Insurance Discount (Where Permitted)
- Self-Paced Online
How It Works
- 1Register online for the Virginia Defensive Driving course.
- 2Complete the 8-hour course online at your own pace on any device.
- 3Your completion can award up to 5 safe driving points on your Virginia driving record.
- 4Share your completion with your insurer for a point credit or insurance discount where permitted.
Important Requirements & Restrictions
- A DMV Driver Improvement Clinic can award up to 5 safe driving points; it does not erase the underlying violations, and the violations remain on your record.
- The 8-hour DMV Driver Improvement Program is required for drivers who accumulate demerit points or are court-ordered.
- An insurance discount is not guaranteed; where permitted, check with your insurer to confirm discount eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Virginia defensive driving course?
A DMV-approved 8-hour online Driver Improvement Clinic offered through I Drive Safely that can award up to 5 safe driving points on your Virginia driving record and may earn an insurance discount where permitted.
Can this course dismiss my Virginia traffic ticket?
For ticket dismissal or a court requirement, you must obtain your court's approval and verify I Drive Safely is on your court's approved provider list before enrolling. Court acceptance for a specific citation is not guaranteed — confirm with your court before enrolling.
Does the course award safe driving points?
A DMV-approved 8-hour Driver Improvement Clinic can award up to 5 safe driving points on your record. It reduces the impact of points; it does not erase the underlying violations, and the violations remain on your record.
Is there an insurance discount?
An insurance discount is not guaranteed. Where permitted, check with your insurer to confirm discount eligibility.
How long is the Virginia defensive driving course?
8 hours, completed online at your own pace on any device.
Related Virginia Resources
Ready to Get Started?
Register for the Virginia Defensive Driving Course (Traffic School) online with I Drive Safely. Complete at your own pace on any device.
Enroll NowVirginia Defensive Driving Course (Traffic School)
Provider Disclosure
DOT Driving School provides driver education information and connects students with available course providers. Course registration and course delivery for this program are provided by I Drive Safely, a third-party provider. DOT Driving School is not the course operator and does not administer this course.
Disclaimer
Courses identified as “State Approved” are licensed, approved, or accepted by the applicable state agency, as specifically stated on the individual course listing. Not all courses offered through this website are state approved or state required.
DOT Driving School is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the DMV, DOT, FLHSMV, any state driver licensing agency, or any federal, state, county, or local governmental agency, except where a specific course approval or authorization is expressly stated.