Driving safety courses—also known as defensive driving or traffic school—are designed to improve a driver’s knowledge, awareness, and attitude toward driving a motor vehicle. Laws vary from state to state but in many states a driver who has been issued a traffic ticket or citation may have the ticket or citation dismissed upon successful completion of a driving safety course—whether online or in person.
In Minnesota, driving safety courses, often referred to as defensive driving or traffic school, serve as educational tools to enhance a driver's skills and safety awareness. Minnesota law allows for the possibility of a traffic ticket being dismissed or the reduction of driving record points upon the successful completion of a state-approved driving safety course. These courses can be taken online or in person and typically cover topics such as traffic laws, safe driving techniques, and strategies for avoiding accidents. The eligibility for ticket dismissal or point reduction, as well as the specific benefits of completing such a course, can vary depending on the driver's history and the nature of the traffic violation. It is important for drivers to check with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety or the court handling their traffic citation to understand the options and requirements for their particular situation.