Defensive Driving Course (Motor Vehicle Accident Prevention Course): Basic and Refresher
Overseen by Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, Defensive Driving Program
- What it does
If you complete an approved Defensive Driving Course, you may receive 10 percent off a portion of your auto insurance for three years.
What the source says
“If you are a driver of a motor vehicle and complete an approved Defensive Driving Course, you may receive 10 percent off of a portion of your auto insurance for three years.”
Defensive Driving Courses (Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles), read October 7, 2026
If you take a refresher course within 180 days of the end of the three-year period, you may receive a 15 percent discount.
What the source says
“If you take a refresher Defensive Driving Course within 180 days of the end of the three-year period, you may receive a 15 percent discount.”
Defensive Driving Courses (Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles), read October 7, 2026
Delaware law requires a reduction in insurance rates for three years for anyone who voluntarily attends and completes a course approved by the Division of Motor Vehicles.
What the source says
“The Commissioner shall require a reduction in rates for a 3-year period for any person who voluntarily attends and successfully completes a motor vehicle accident prevention course that is approved by the Division of Motor Vehicles.”
Delaware Code Title 18, Chapter 25, section 2503, Making of rates, read October 7, 2026
A 3-point credit is entered on your driving record after you satisfactorily complete the course.
What the source says
“The licensee shall have a 3-point credit entered on the licensee’s driving record following satisfactory completion of the course.”
Delaware Administrative Code Title 2, 2208 Concerning Driver Improvement Problem Driver Program, read October 7, 2026
- Course length
A basic defensive driving course must give at least six hours of instructional time, and a refresher course three hours.
What the source says
“2 DE Reg 2224 requires a minimum of six hours instructional time for a basic defensive driving course and three hours for a refresher course.”
Defensive Driving FAQ (Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles), read October 7, 2026
- Taking it online
To get credit for an online course, a student must pass the final exam with a score of 80% or better.
What the source says
“To receive credit for the course, a student must receive a passing score of 80% or better”
Delaware Administrative Code Title 2, 2224 Defensive Driving Course, Providers, and Instructors, read October 7, 2026
Each online student must complete an online affidavit verifying that they are the person who completed the course.
What the source says
“Each student must complete an online affidavit with a verification that the student is the person who completed the course”
Delaware Administrative Code Title 2, 2224 Defensive Driving Course, Providers, and Instructors, read October 7, 2026
- How often
The refresher course can be taken no sooner than two years and six months, and no later than five years, after the initial course.
What the source says
“The refresher course can be completed no less than two years and six months after the initial defensive driving course, but no more than five years after the initial course.”
Defensive Driving FAQ (Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles), read October 7, 2026
- Certificate
Your course completion is loaded electronically to your driving record within 48 hours of completing the course.
What the source says
“Your course completion will be electronically loaded to your driving record within 48 hours of completing the course.”
Defensive Driving FAQ (Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles), read October 7, 2026
- Who approves it
The Division of Motor Vehicles publishes the list of companies that offer approved defensive driving courses in Delaware.
What the source says
“The following is a list of companies that offer approved defensive driving courses in Delaware.”
Defensive Driving Courses (Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles), read October 7, 2026
- Good to know
The three-point credit is not deducted from your record automatically; it is applied to future violations in certain situations.
What the source says
“Will the three-point credit automatically be deducted from my driving record? A. No. The three-point credit is applied to future violations in certain situations.”
Defensive Driving FAQ (Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles), read October 7, 2026
In Delaware this same course is also used for traffic school.