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 New Jersey, driving safety courses, often referred to as defensive driving courses, are recognized as a means to improve driving skills and promote road safety. Under New Jersey law, drivers may be eligible to have points removed from their driving record upon successful completion of a state-approved defensive driving course. Specifically, drivers can have two points removed from their record for a course completed once every five years. Additionally, completing such a course may also qualify drivers for an insurance rate reduction. However, the option to dismiss a traffic ticket directly through course completion is not typically offered in New Jersey. Instead, point reduction and potential insurance discounts are the main benefits. It's important for drivers to choose a course approved by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to ensure it meets the state requirements.