New York State Defensive Driving Course 

AAA Hudson Valley provides a six-hour New York State Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Point & Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) at our Albany office, 618 Delaware Ave., Albany, NY 12209. Participants will receive a certificate that qualifies them for insurance reduction upon completion of the class. 

Defensive Driving Course/Driver Improvement

According to the New York state DMV, completing an approved PIRP course will: 

• Refresh your driving knowledge 
• Help prevent you from losing your license in the event you have accrued 11 or more points on your driving record 
• Reduce the base rate of your auto and motorcycle insurance premiums 10 percent each year for three years 

After completing the defensive driving course NY has approved, four points are subtracted from your driving record for the purposes of calculating a suspension if you have 11 or more points. However, the tickets/points do not physically come off your driving record.  Points are visible for the remainder of the year you received them plus three (3) years.

Drivers can learn more about the New York State point system by visiting the DMV website.  

Completing a NYS safe driving course does not: 

• Prevent a mandatory suspension or revocation 
• Eliminate your responsibility to pay a driver responsibility assessment 
• Give you a way to reduce future driver violation points 

Classroom Course Schedule 

The AAA NYS defensive driving course is open to the public, but AAA members receive a discount on enrollment. Drivers can complete the course on a single Saturday or Sunday or attend two evening sessions during the week. All classes scheduled below are in-person classes and held at our main office at: 618 Delaware Ave, Albany, NY 12209. For online classes, scroll to the bottom of this page.

Defensive Driving Course Fees

The cost of the in-person defensive driving course is as follows:  

• AAA Members and AAA Plus Members: $37.00 
• AAA Members – Seniors 60+: $32.00 
• Non-members: $47.00 
• Non-member Seniors 60+: $42.00 

Duplicate Certificates-$5.00

Defensive Driving Course Online

For drivers who are unable to complete a defensive driving course in person, AAA offers online DMV-approved options as well. The Internet Point & Insurance Reduction Program (IPIRP) is a six-hour program that can be taken in the comfort of your own home at any time.  

The IPIRP requires voice recognition, and you must record your voice and respond to prompts throughout the entirety of this program. You will be required to call an 800 number to repeat certain phrases only available on your screen. This will verify your attendance. Although you can complete the course on your own schedule, you must finish it within 30 days of registering.

This class accesses AAA Defensive Driving materials, and the software is operated by the American Safety Council. If you need help with the online class or a duplicate certificate, please call the American Safety Council at 877-476-1254. 

The cost of the online IPIRP is $29.95* for members and $34.95* for nonmembers, regardless of age. 

*Price does not include $8.00 DMV Fees

Register for the online course.