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State Cert Guide

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Can a defensive driving course take points off my Idaho license?

If you have an Idaho license, an approved defensive driving course can take 3 points off your point total. You can lower your total only once in 3 years, by a course or a city class. A course does not remove the conviction from your record. We haven't confirmed whether a court dismisses a ticket for a course, so ask your court.

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The rule, fact by fact

Point reduction
An approved course takes 3 points off your total, once every 3 yearsCheck the date of your last reduction before you sign up.
Verified. itd.idaho.gov (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Points or insurance
An approved course can earn a 3-point reduction and/or an insurance discountAsk your insurer which courses it accepts.
Verified. itd.idaho.gov (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
City traffic class
A city traffic class must be offered and accepted at roadsideYou can't sign up for it after the stop.
Same source and date as above
Who needs it
Certificates are recognized for Idaho-licensed drivers onlyCheck which state issued your license before you pay.
Same source and date as above
Cost
Tuition runs from around $18 to $60, set by the providerAsk whether the certificate is included in that price.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Check your timing and your license. A driver can reduce the point total one time within a 3-year period, whether it comes from a course or a city class. Certificates are recognized for Idaho-licensed drivers only.

  2. Step 2. Pick a provider from ITD's list of approved defensive driving course providers. Prices can range from around $18 to $60, and the initial fee may not include the cost of a certificate.

  3. Step 3. Pay your ticket, then take the course. ITD says citations must be paid before you complete the course to be approved for the 3-point reduction. Finishing it does not remove convictions from the driving record.

  4. Step 4. Send your certificate. ITD says certificates of completion can be emailed to ddc@itd.idaho.gov.

Courses

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Before you pay

Check that no course or city class has lowered your point total in the last 3 years.

Check that your license is from Idaho.

Ask your court, not the provider, whether a course would count for your ticket.

Ask your insurer which courses it accepts for a discount.

Questions

What is the city traffic class?

Some cities run a traffic safety course. Not all do, and for those that do, the officer decides at the stop whether to offer it. Finishing it removes the points tied to that citation, 1 to 4 of them.

Does a course undo a CDL disqualifying action?

No. ITD says completing a defensive driving course has no effect on any CDL disqualifying action.

How many points does a ticket add?

ITD says moving violation convictions are assigned 1 to 4 points, depending on the violation type.

What to do next

Check when your point total was last lowered. Then read the Idaho Transportation Department page on driver records and suspensions.

itd.idaho.gov

Sources we read