Does a defensive driving course lower your insurance in North Dakota?

Are there two kinds of approved course?

Yes. NDDOT lists the courses approved for a 3-point reduction on its points page. The North Dakota Highway Patrol keeps a separate list of courses approved for insurance premium reduction, and says its online courses are approved through August 31, 2027.

Some providers are on both lists. Being on one doesn't put a course on the other.

Which approval does our course have?

Both, as two separate courses. Our defensive driving course is approved by NDDOT for points. Our insurance premium reduction course is approved by the Highway Patrol for the premium reduction; the Highway Patrol's online list shows it under the name Road Ready Driving Instruction, approved through October 31, 2028. One certificate does one job, so pick the course that matches what you want to change, and confirm with your insurer first.

	Point reduction course	Insurance premium reduction course
Approved by	NDDOT	North Dakota Highway Patrol
What it does	Takes 3 points off, or is elected at court in lieu of points	Your insurer must offer a premium reduction for at least 2 years, 3 years at 55 or older
Length	4 hours online	4 hours online
Price	$24.99	$24.99
Start	Point reduction course	Insurance premium reduction course

What should I ask my insurer?

• Do you lower my premium for a defensive driving course?
• Does the course have to be on the Highway Patrol's list?
• How long does the reduction last?
• Do you look at my points, my violations, or both?

Can fewer points help my insurance?

We can't promise it. Insurers set their own rules, and the violation stays on your driving record even when points are reduced or kept off.

Fewer points do keep you away from a suspension. Twelve points suspends your license, and a suspension on your record is something most drivers want to avoid for reasons beyond the premium.

Will keeping a ticket's points off hide the ticket?

No. Electing a course in lieu of points keeps the points from being assessed. The law doesn't say the violation is removed.

So which of our courses should I take?

For points: a driver who has points and wants 3 of them gone, or a driver with a new ticket worth 5 points or fewer who elected the course at court, takes the point reduction course. Four hours and $24.99. How the course works.

For your premium: a driver who wants the reduction North Dakota law requires insurers to offer takes the insurance premium reduction course. Four hours and $24.99. Ask your insurer what it offers before you enroll.