Driver improvement clinic
Eight-hour course, in person or through a DMV-licensed online driver improvement clinic
Overseen by Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
- What it does
A driver who completes the online course may be eligible for up to five safe driving points.
What the source says
“Upon successful completion of the online course, you may be eligible to receive up to five safe driving points.”
Virginia DMV: Complete an Online Driving Improvement Clinic, read October 7, 2026
People who attend a clinic voluntarily and complete it are eligible to have five demerit points subtracted from their total.
What the source says
“Persons who voluntarily attend and satisfactorily complete a driver improvement clinic shall be eligible (i) to have five demerit points subtracted from their total accumulation of demerit points”
Code of Virginia § 46.2-498: Driver improvement clinics; voluntary attendance, read October 7, 2026
Virginia law allows, but does not require, insurers to give a two-year premium reduction to insured people aged 54 or younger who complete a DMV-approved driver improvement clinic.
What the source says
“may provide for an appropriate reduction in premium charges for a two-year period for those insured persons who are fifty-four years of age or younger and who have satisfactorily completed a driver improvement clinic approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles”
Code of Virginia § 38.2-2217: Reduction in rates for certain persons who attend mature driver motor vehicle crash prevention courses and driver improvement clinics, read October 7, 2026
A person sent to a clinic by a court or notified by DMV to attend is not eligible for the insurance premium reduction.
What the source says
“No person assigned by the courts or notified by the Department of Motor Vehicles to attend a driver improvement clinic shall be eligible for such reduction in premium charges.”
Code of Virginia § 38.2-2217: Reduction in rates for certain persons who attend mature driver motor vehicle crash prevention courses and driver improvement clinics, read October 7, 2026
- Who can take it
People of all ages may choose to take an online driver improvement course through a DMV-licensed online provider.
What the source says
“Individuals of all ages may elect to take an online driver improvement course through a DMV-licensed online driving improvement clinic provider.”
Virginia DMV: Complete an Online Driving Improvement Clinic, read October 7, 2026
When a court requires a clinic, the court decides whether the driver receives safe driving points.
What the source says
“The court shall determine if a person is to receive safe driving points upon satisfactory completion of a driver improvement clinic conducted by the Department or by any business, organization, governmental entity or individual certified by the Department to provide driver improvement clinic instruction.”
Code of Virginia § 46.2-505: Court may direct defendant to attend driver improvement clinic, read October 7, 2026
- Course length
The online driver improvement course is an eight-hour course taken over the internet.
What the source says
“The Online Driver Improvement Course is an eight-hour course conducted via the Internet.”
Virginia DMV: Become an Online Driver Improvement Clinic Provider, read October 7, 2026
- Taking it online
A driver improvement clinic can be completed online or in person; an online course and its final test must be completed through a DMV-licensed online driver improvement clinic provider.
What the source says
“A driver improvement clinic can be completed online or in person. If the clinic is completed online, the course and final test must be completed through a DMV-licensed online driver improvement clinic provider.”
Virginia DMV: Driver Improvement Clinics, read October 7, 2026
- How often
Safe driving points, or an insurance premium reduction, are given for completing a clinic only once within two years of completing it.
What the source says
“Safe driving points shall be awarded or reductions in premium charges, as set forth in § 38.2-2217, shall be received for the completion of a driver improvement clinic only once within a period of two years from the date a person satisfactorily completes the clinic.”
Code of Virginia § 46.2-498: Driver improvement clinics; voluntary attendance, read October 7, 2026
- Certificate
Clinics must report completions to DMV electronically within 24 hours.
What the source says
“Driver improvement clinics are required to electronically report clinic completion information to DMV within 24 hours.”
Virginia DMV: Reasons for Attending a Driver Improvement Course, read October 7, 2026
- Who approves it
DMV licenses and oversees online driver improvement clinics.
What the source says
“DMV is responsible for the licensing and oversight of online driver improvement clinics.”
Virginia DMV: Complete an Online Driving Improvement Clinic, read October 7, 2026
- Good to know
A court may or may not accept an online course certificate; the driver is responsible for finding out.
What the source says
“Your court may or may not accept the certificate of completion. It is your responsibility to determine whether your court would accepts courses taken at online traffic schools.”
Virginia DMV: Complete an Online Driving Improvement Clinic, read October 7, 2026
A clinic may charge no more than $100 for attendance.
What the source says
“The clinic may charge a fee of no more than $100 for attendance.”
Virginia DMV: Driver Improvement Clinics, read October 7, 2026
The online final test may be taken only once per business day, and identity is verified throughout the course and before the final test.
What the source says
“The test may be taken only once per business day. You will be required to verify identification throughout the course and prior to taking the final test.”
Virginia DMV: Complete an Online Driving Improvement Clinic, read October 7, 2026
In Virginia this same course is also used for defensive driving.