General Information

The Point & Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP), approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles, is available through private companies or corporations, called "course sponsors," throughout New York State. Each qualifying course must meet strict standards for the safe driving information presented and program effectiveness. If you complete an approved PIRP course:

Course Overview

The PIRP course is at least six hours long and is presented in one or more classroom sessions. (Note: The motorcycle safety/accident prevention courses takes substantially longer.) Essential information about traffic safety issues such as driver attitude and behavior, defensive driving techniques, and the Vehicle & Traffic Law must be presented in each course. Course fees vary from one training agency to another. No formal testing is required to complete the course.

Point Reduction

Q. After I complete the PIRP course, how do I receive the point reduction?

A. The PIRP sponsor will notify the DMV within ten weeks after you complete the course. A notice will then be entered on your driving record, and the DMV computer will automatically reduce your active point total by up to four points. Important: Completion of a course under the "Point & Insurance Reduction Program" does not remove, delete, subtract, or erase any violation, conviction, or notice of original number of points from your driving record. Even after you complete the course, most violations, conviction and points assessed will continue to show on your driving record for up to four years. Violations and convictions involving drugs or alcohol will remain on your driving record for ten years. "Point reduction" means the DMV will not count up to four points on your driving record toward license revocation or suspension.

Q. How do I know my driving record shows my PIRP course completion?

A. If you need to verify the course completion has been entered on your record, you may request a copy of your driving record from the DMV. To do so, you must complete a "Request for Driver and/or Vehicle Record Information" (form MV-15), available at any motor vehicle office. You may also download this form from the DMV internet office. If your course completion is not noted on your driving record more than ten weeks after you completed it, contact the course sponsor.

Q. What effect does point reduction have on my license and driving record?

A. Point reduction applies only to points assessed for violations that occurred within the eighteen months immediately before course completion. It does not affect points for earlier violations, and cannot be used as "credit" against future violations or points.

Insurance Reduction

Q. After completing the PIRP course, how do I receive the insurance reduction?

A. The course sponsor should mail you a completion certificate within 45 days after you complete the course. If you present your certificate to your insurance company or agent within 90 days after course completion, your liability and collision premium reduction will begin immediately, retroactive to the date you completed the course. If you present your certificate more than 90 days after course completion, the insurer may issue the premium discount effective from the date presented. If you do not receive your certificate within eight weeks after completion, immediately contact the program sponsor. You may take the course once every 36 months to maintain insurance reduction benefits.

Q. Will the PIRP course prevent my insurance company from raising my premiums?

A. No. Insurance reduction does not prevent general premium increases, or premium increases due to violations or accidents. It provides a 10% reduction for three years, from the base rate of your current liability, no-fault and collision premiums.

Q. What if more than one person named on a policy completes the PIRP course?

A. The insurance premium reduction applies to all motor vehicles principally operated by the motorist who completes the course. The discount can be applied to only one driver for each covered vehicle.

Q. If I complete a DMV approved motorcycle safety/accident prevention course, does the insurance reduction benefit extend to my automobile coverage?

A. Yes. The reduction applies to the liability and collision insurance premiums for both your motorcycle and automobile.

Q. Will youthful operators and drivers participating in assigned risk pool receive the insurance premium discount?

A. Yes. Any insured driver who is the principal operator and completes a Point & Insurance Reduction Program course will receive the discount.

Q. If a youthful operator is already receiving a driver education discount, will the PIRP discount also be applied?

A. Check with your insurance company or agent to find out if both discounts will be given at the same time.

DMV Point System Summary

The following table shows the point values assigned to moving traffic violations. The "points" are assessed against your driving record based on the date you committed the violation, not the date you were convicted in court. If you accumulate 11 or more points in 18 months, you will be called to a DMV hearing, after which your license may be suspended or revoked. You will be offered the option of waiving the hearing or accepting a definite period of suspension.

Some license revocations and suspensions are mandatory and do not depend on points. These include three speeding violations within 18 months, and convictions involving alcohol or drugs.