New York – Drivers now have the option of taking defensive-driving courses over the Internet to qualify for auto insurance discounts and point reductions on their driving records.
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The five-year pilot program, approved by the New York Motor Vehicles Department, is called the Internet/Alternate Delivery Method Point and Insurance Reduction Program, or I-PIRP for short.
It’s open to all licensed drivers, and participation can be voluntary, or the online courses can be used to satisfy a court order for traffic offenses. Drivers who complete an I-PIRP course are eligible for a 10 percent discount on their auto insurance and reductions in their accumulated driver’s violation points (up to four points). Classroom courses will continue to be offered.
“Traditionally, students who were required to take a defensive-driving course in New York would have to give up a Saturday or a few evenings,” said Gary Alexander, founder of the Improv Aware Driver Course, one of four I-PIRP course providers listed on the department’s site. Now students can attend “simply by logging on from their computer any time they like,” Mr. Alexander said.
Fees and courses are set by the individual companies and vary, but each course is required to provide a minimum of 320 minutes of instruction.
Improv Aware charges $48.95, and the course consists of 10 modules, including video clips, covering subjects like driving under the influence, seatbelt use and basic traffic laws, said Mr. Alexander, who started Improv Aware in California more than 20 years ago. Students can “attend” at any time, and have up to 30 days from initiating the course to complete it. At that time, they will receive a certificate to be submitted to their insurance carriers.
The motor vehicles department says the five-year online pilot program will be assessed for its effectiveness, and the agency will report its findings to the governor and the legislature.
a ridiculous idea .people will turn on thier computer and read the newspaper!
not worse than what they do today…
you can find places that will take your money and give you the stamp that you sat thru the course…
you have to actually answer questions as u go along. u cant just open it and walk away
Finally. Fifty dollars for that stamp is a rip off
I just renewed my “WSI-lifgaurding” license in a simmilar way, you cannot cheat your way through… Or just put on your computer & go play poker…
You have to watch some short movie clips the n answer some questions regarding whatyou saw on the clip etc.
I found it very informative & extremely practical.
doing it right now. can’t walk away. have to phone in every few minutes to make sure it is you that is watching. uses voice recognition. also, you have to turn the pages every minute or so. it also take ALL six hours. but, it is done on your schedule and you have 30 days to complete.
So I can’t get my 3.00 coupon at kosher delight now?
whats the website?