Michigan State Approval

Though many people take it for granted, driving is a privilege, not a right. Though it provides a sense of freedom to have your license, you also have a large amount of responsibility on your shoulders. That responsibility includes driving sober, wearing seatbelts and focusing on the process of driving. It also means driving defensively. Effective December 31, 2010, Michigan law required individuals of a traffic violation to take a Basic Driver Improvement Course, such as a Michigan Defensive Driving Course. If you are eligible, the following will occur:

• The Secretary of State will send you a letter stating your eligibility for the program.
• You are given 60 days to complete the course.
• If you opt-in and pass the course within that 60 days, you avoid points on your license. Insurance companies are not notified of your ticket. This saves you from a premium increase.
• You have just one opportunity to do this.

MI Defensive Driving Eligibility

As noted, the state will notify you if you are eligible for this program. In many cases, you will receive such eligibility if the following occurred for a ticket occurring on or after December 31, 2010.

• You have a non-commercial driver's license.
• That drivers license does not have more than two points and it is currently valid.
• You were not ticketed while driving a commercial motor vehicle.
• The violation was not a criminal offense.

Most minor traffic violations qualify, but those for careless or negligent driving do not.

Why May You Not Be Eligible?

If any of the following are accurate, you may not qualify for a BDIC program:

• You've already participated in the program previously.
• It has been longer than the 60-day eligibility period.
• You have a suspended, revoked or otherwise restricted license.
• Your license was not issued from the state of Michigan.
• You have a Commercial Driver's License.
• You have three or more points already.
• You were operating a commercial vehicle when ticketed.
• The ticket was for a more severe charge than a minor moving violation.

Is Your Ticket Eligible?

Most minor traffic violations are eligible. The ticket must have occurred on December 31, 2010 or after.