South Dakota Defensive Driving

South Dakota Defensive Driving & Traffic School

Upon completion of a South Dakota defensive driving course, you usually will not be able to deduct points from your South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS) driving record or remove a traffic violation.

Nonetheless, if you’re able to finish defensive driving/traffic school, you may be eligible for an insurance discount.

Traffic school and defensive driving courses carry value even if you don’t qualify for a car insurance discount. They will teach you ways to improve your driving ability and protect yourself on the road.

Upon completion of traffic school, you’ll immediately begin to see improvement when you drive. With your enhanced understanding of driving rules and practices, you’ll be able to better avoid violating traffic laws and causing automobile accidents.

We’ve compiled an overall summary of South Dakota defensive driving instruction, driving record points, and who you can contact to further gather information.

Defensive Driving Course Options in SD

In most cases, taking a defensive driving course will not help to deduct points or remove a traffic ticket from your driving record. However, it may help you receive a discount on auto insurance.

While it depends on the type of traffic violation, the court may demand that you enroll in a defensive driving course as a part of your punishment.

Unless the court specifies otherwise, you have the option of taking your defensive driving course in a traditional classroom setting or an online traffic school.

For South Dakota defensive driving courses in your area:

• Check with the South Dakota DPS
• Ask your court
• Ask your insurance agent
• Check the Internet for defensive driving courses, online traffic schools, and driver improvement programs

South Dakota Driving Record Points

When you commit a traffic violation, the South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS) will tally points on your driving record.

Your driver’s license could be suspended if you receive:

• 15 points in 12 months
• OR
• 22 points in 24 months

At any time, you’re allowed to view your South Dakota driving record and see how many points you have accumulated against your driver’s license.

If you’re a repeat traffic offender, taking a defensive driving course could improve your driving ability and help you avoid future violations.

Receive a Car Insurance Discount at Traffic School

If you complete a defensive driving course, you may be able to receive a reduced rate on your car insurance premiums.

While all ages may be eligible, most South Dakota insurance providers will allow for defensive driving course discounts for teens and older drivers.

To find out more, please contact your insurance agency.

If you’re insurance company won’t give you a discounted rate upon completion of traffic school, you should consider looking around for a new car insurance policy.

South Dakota Traffic School Details

Your typical defensive driving course will last between 4 and 12 hours, and will provide instruction on:

• Traffic laws in South Dakota
• Alcohol/drug-related violations
• Defensive driving tactics
• How to be a more responsible driver
• Sharing the road with cyclists, trucks, and others

Depending on the type of course you take, there may be a final exam reviewing all the information you’ve learned. Upon finishing the defensive driving course, you should receive a certificate of completion.

To find out more about your individual circumstances and if you could benefit from taking defensive driving courses, please contact:

• The South Dakota Department of Public Safety
• Your automobile insurance provider
• Traffic court