Traffic school in Missouri, also known as the Driver Improvement Program (DIP), is a course designed to help drivers brush up on their safe driving knowledge and skills behind the wheel. Drivers have the option to take the traffic course online or in-person at any Missouri-approved institution.

Completing the course has many benefits for drivers such as preventing points from being added to a driving record, allowing drivers to receive insurance discounts and training them to be safer drivers overall. The Missouri defensive driving course covers important topics such as Missouri traffic laws, highway safety, safe driving techniques and more. Driving school offers motorists numerous benefits, and completing the program is easier than ever with online course-providers such as idrivesafely.com.

Who can attend defensive driving school in Missouri?

Licensed drivers can sign up for a Missouri-approved defensive driving course if they have accumulated points on their driving records. By completing the course, drivers can prevent points from being assessed, or added, to their driving records. Additionally, Missouri drivers can enroll in driving school if their insurance company offers discounts for completing the program. Motorists who simply want to improve their driving skills are also encouraged to attend defensive driving school.

Types of Defensive Driving Courses in Missouri

The Missouri DIP offers an 8-hour defensive driving class that can be completed either in person or online. These courses are designed to meet the needs of both the driving public and court orders by helping make the roads safer for everybody. By completing a driving safety course, motorists can prevent a certain number of unwanted traffic points from appearing on their records. At the same time, drivers will also be learning how to improve their driving and prevent themselves from committing further infractions.

Motorcycle riders who receive a moving violation must attend an approved motorcycle-rider training course at one of the 31 training sites around Missouri to avoid assessing points on their records.

Classroom vs. Online Traffic School in Missouri

Drivers who wish to complete the Missouri Driver Improvement Program in person will need to find an approved traffic school and enroll in its driving course. Both online and in-person courses offer the same benefits, but online courses can be completed on any computer with internet access. Although there are 23 DIP driving schools in Missouri, many residents will find it more convenient to complete the defensive driving course online in the comfort of their own home.

One of the best online traffic school courses in Missouri is provided by idrivesafely.com. Not only are they approved by the Missouri Safety Center, but they also offer customers numerous additional benefits that help make them one of America’s best online driving schools. Some of these features include:

• Unlimited exam retakes at no additional charge.
• An auto-save feature that allows customers to work at their own pace and pick up where they left off if they need a break.
• 24/7 access that makes online traffic school easy to fit into any schedule.
• Free certificate delivery by regular mail.

How to Enroll in a Missouri Defensive Driving School

The process of enrolling in a Missouri defensive driving course will vary depending on which traffic school you choose to attend. If you take a course for personal knowledge or insurance discounts, you will need to find an institution offering the program and pay the enrollment fee. There are numerous locations to take an in-person driver improvement course, but the most convenient option is typically an online course with a trusted website like idrivesafely.com.

If you are taking driving classes to remove points from your record, enrolling will vary depending on your county. Certain counties have given the Fine Collection Center (FCC) permission to approve attendance at the Driver Improvement Program (DIP). However, attending a DIP to avoid receiving points on your driving record is not mandatory, even if you have been approved. If you received your citation in one of the counties that have authorized the FCC to approve the program, follow these steps:

1. You must plead guilty to the citation and pay your fines in full to the Fine Collection Center.
2. You will then be automatically approved to attend a DIP.
3. You must complete a Missouri-approved DIP course within 60 days of your guilty plea for points to be removed.

For counties that do not authorize the Missouri FCC to approve DIP, here is what you should do:

1. You must first plead not guilty to the FCC.
2. The FCC will send your citation to the prosecuting attorney in the country where you received your citation.
3. The prosecutor will file the citation and the court will inform you of your court date.

The court has the authority to decide whether you can attend the Driver Improvement Program to avoid receiving points at the end of your trial. It is not guaranteed that you will be allowed to attend DIP in counties where it is not automatically approved. The court will decide on a case-by-case basis.

Benefits of Completing the Driver Improvement Program in Missouri

Completing the MO driver improvement program provides many benefits such as:

• Preventing points from being assessed on your driving records.
• Prevent your auto insurance premiums from increasing.
• Receiving an insurance rate discount.
• Learning safe driving knowledge and skills for the road.

Avoid Points on Your Driving Record

Although drivers in Missouri cannot have tickets dismissed by attending a driver improvement course, they can prevent a certain number of points from being added to their driving record. Missouri motorists are permitted to take a driving course for point removal once every 36 months. This limitation was implemented to prevent drivers from abusing the benefit of avoiding demerit points by completing the driver improvement program.

Avoid Increases on Your Auto Insurance Premiums

Insurance companies will analyze various risk factors when deciding on the cost of your premium. By completing a driving safety course and providing your insurer with a certificate of completion, you can avoid increased premiums by proving that you are less of a risk.

Obtain a Car Insurance Discount

Certain car insurance companies will also offer you discounts if you complete a driver improvement course and provide proof with an official certificate. If you are interested, call your insurance company to check if this discount is available for your policy.

Learn Safe Driving Knowledge and Skills

One of the most important benefits of finishing a defensive driving class is the safe driving knowledge and skills you will pick up along the way. These courses can indirectly save you hundreds of dollars by teaching you the best driving practices to reduce your chance of being in a car accident.

Missouri Defensive Driving Class Curriculum Details

Regardless of where you take your driver improvement course, you will cover the same general topics in each 8-hour program. Typically, some of the major topics of traffic school include:

• Highway safety.
• Alcohol- and drug-impaired driving awareness.
• Missouri traffic laws and violations.
• Safe driving techniques.
• Basic vehicle maintenance.
• How to avoid and prevent car accidents.

At the end of the program, you will be required to pass a final exam. If you take your driver improvement program online with idrivesafely.com you will be required to earn a score of 80 percent or higher in order to pass the 50-question exam. Fortunately, idrivesafely.com will give you unlimited attempts in case you need to re-take the exam to receive a passing score.

Missouri Defensive Driving Certificate

Once you complete the 8-hour driver improvement program, you will receive a certificate from the traffic school. If you enrolled in the course to earn insurance discounts, you will need a copy of the certificate to provide your insurance company. In most cases, the traffic school will send a copy of your certificate to the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) where they will remove the demerit point from your record. However, it is recommended that you keep a copy of the defensive driving certificate just in case.

Missouri Traffic School vs. Drivers Education

Driver’s Education in Missouri covers many of the same subjects as traffic school. However, driver’s education is aimed primarily at younger drivers between 15 and 18 years of age. These programs help first-time drivers learn the basics of operating a motor vehicle, Missouri traffic laws and other essential tips for safe driving.

Missouri Defensive Driving Course Fees

The cost of registering for a defensive driving course can vary depending on the traffic school you choose to attend, but prices generally range from $20 to $35.

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