Is IMPROV® approved by my state's DMV?

Yes. IMPROV® is licensed and approved by DMVs, courts, and insurance companies in over 40 states including New York, California, Florida, Texas, Arizona, New Jersey, Georgia, and Indiana. Approval varies by state and course type — visit your state's course page to confirm eligibility.

How much does a defensive driving course cost?

Course prices vary by state, typically ranging from $24.95 to $59.95. For example: New York PIRP is $29.95 + $8 DMV fee, California Traffic School is $24.95, Texas Defensive Driving is $27.95, and Arizona is $38.95. IMPROV® regularly offers discounts of up to 50%.

How long does it take to complete the course?

Course length depends on state requirements. Most courses range from 4 to 8 hours. You can complete the course at your own pace — logging in and out as needed — on any device. You have up to 30 days from registration to complete most courses.

Can I take the defensive driving course on my phone or tablet?

Yes. All IMPROV® courses are fully mobile-friendly and work on any modern device — desktop, laptop, smartphone, or tablet. No app download is required. Your progress saves automatically so you can switch devices mid-course.

Will completing a defensive driving course lower my car insurance?

Yes, in most states. Insurance carriers in 34 states offer premium discounts of up to 10% for completing an approved defensive driving course. In New York, a 10% discount on liability, no-fault, and collision premiums is mandated by law for three years after completing the PIRP course.

Is there a final exam?

Most IMPROV® courses do not have a traditional final exam. The New York PIRP course has no final exam — only short 2-3 question chapter quizzes that can be retaken unlimited times. Some states may require a brief knowledge check at the end of each chapter.

How quickly will I receive my completion certificate?

Most certificates are issued electronically upon completing the course. For Arizona, your certificate can arrive in as little as 30 minutes. For New York, IMPROV® automatically reports your completion to the NYS DMV. Physical certificates can also be mailed if required.

Can I take the course to dismiss a traffic ticket?

In many states, yes. Traffic school and defensive driving courses can be used to dismiss eligible traffic violations in California, Florida, Texas, Arizona, and others. Eligibility depends on the type of violation, your driving history, and court approval.

How many students have used IMPROV®?

Over 5 million students have completed courses with IMPROV® since the company was founded in 1989. IMPROV® has over 200,000 customer reviews with a 4.7-star average rating on Shopper Approved.

Does IMPROV® offer fleet or commercial driver training?

Yes. Through IMPROVLearning, the company offers commercial fleet safety training programs designed to reduce vehicle crashes and improve driver behavior using behavioral science and AI-powered coaching. Visit improvlearning.com/fleet-training for details.

Home/ Authors/ Heather Perl

IMPROV® Author

Heather Perl

Content Contributor

Defensive DrivingInsurance & LawTraffic School

3 articles published Team: Marketing, IMPROV®

About Heather Perl

Making Driving Safety Make Sense

Heather was born and raised in the suburbs near Los Angeles, CA. It has been her dream to become a writer since she won her school’s “Young Authors’ Award” at age 7. She enjoys traveling when she can, and in her free time she reads ridiculous vampire romance novels and plays tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons. She embraces her nerdiness to the fullest.

Articles by Heather Perl