How to Find Defensive Driving Courses in Maine
The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety oversees a defensive driving course that can reduce points on your driving record or lower your car insurance rate.
Written by Mary Cahill
Reviewed by Pat Roache
To find a defensive driving course in Maine, you’ll need to look for the state-approved Maine Driving Dynamics (MDD). This defensive driving course is overseen by the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety. By completing this course, you could receive a three-point credit toward your driving record and possibly a discounted rate on
car insurance
. When you’re convicted of a driving violation in Maine, you’ll receive between two to eight driver violation points on your driving record depending on the severity of the infraction. Drivers who get 12 points in one year’s time can have their
license suspended
for up to 15 days. Repeat offenders face longer suspension periods. If you want to find out whether you’re eligible for a points reduction or insurance discount by taking a defensive driving course in Maine, we’re letting you in on everything you need to know. Keep reading to learn about defensive driving course requirements, possible outcomes, and where you can take one.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversTaking a defensive driving course in Maine could…
…dismiss a minor traffic ticket
It’s up to the court to decide whether or not you’re eligible to have your traffic ticket dismissed by completing a defensive driving course like Maine Driving Dynamics. Generally speaking, it will really depend on how serious the traffic violation you committed was.
If the traffic court allows you to participate in a defensive driving course in Maine, you will get a three-point reduction credited to your driving record once you finish. You’ll need to seek permission from the court to take a defensive driving course no matter what, but you should make sure you’re a good candidate for the course beforehand.
To qualify for a Maine Driving Dynamics Course you must:
- Hold a valid Maine driver’s license
- Have not completed the course within the last 12 months
If you’re permitted to take the Driving Dynamics course, the court will give you a deadline to complete it as well as instructions for presenting your certificate of completion to the court. Missing the deadline or not completing all of the instructions given to you by the traffic court will prevent you from having the ticket dismissed—and you won’t get a chance to try again.
…help you get your license back
Demerit points against your driver’s license are in effect for one year before they fall off. If you accumulate 12 or more points in a one-year period, you could have your license suspended for 15 days.
First-timers who get hit with a 15-day license suspension may have to grin and bear it for a couple of weeks before they get their license back. If you’re a repeat offender whose been given a longer license suspension, you may want to contact the court to see if taking a defensive driving course could shorten the length of your punishment.
…earn you an insurance discount
You don’t have to be a driver facing traffic penalties to benefit from a defensive driving course. You could also get a car insurance discount when you complete a course like Maine Driving Dynamics. Some insurance providers offer these proactive drivers discounts between %5 and 20%.
If you’re interested in taking a defensive driving course to lower the cost of your premium, just follow these basic steps:
- Contact your insurance provider and find out if you’re eligible to earn a safe driver discount.
- Make sure your insurance company approves the defensive driving course you want to take.
- After finishing the course, promptly submit your certificate of completion to your insurer.
Maine drivers who have
State Farm
insurance can receive a discount if they complete a defensive driving course through the National Safety Council (NSC)
. Another insurance company that offers coverage discounts to drivers who take a defensive driving course is
Geico
. They will also accept completion certificates from the NSC, or you can take a defensive driving course with the American Safety Council
. …improve your driving skills
The purpose of a defensive driving course is to make those who take it safer on the road. If you take Maine’s Driving Dynamics course, you’ll gain insight into the following
safe driving tips
:- How to avoid an accident
- Navigating the road in difficult situations like traffic jams and inclement weather
- How to anticipate the actions of another driver
- The importance of following traffic laws
- Keeping your vehicle safe and well-maintained
- Avoiding dangerous driving practices such as drowsy driving, drunk driving, road rage, and texting and driving
- What to do in an emergency
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How to find Maine defensive driving courses
If your motivation for taking a defensive driving course in Maine is to reduce demerit points or have a minor ticket dismissed, you should take the Driving Dynamics course. Maine Driving Dynamics is recognized by the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety as an acceptable course to take, which means the traffic court should honor a certificate of completion from this institution.
Classes can be taken in person or online. You can find a Maine Driving Dynamics course near you by clicking
here
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FAQs
How to find Maine defensive driving courses?
If your motivation for taking a defensive driving course in Maine is to reduce demerit points or have a minor ticket dismissed, you should take the Driving Dynamics course. Maine Driving Dynamics is recognized by the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety as an acceptable course to take, which means the traffic court should honor a certificate of completion from this institution.
Classes can be taken in person or online. You can find a Maine Driving Dynamics course near you by clicking
here
.How much is a defensive driving course in Maine?
Registering for the Driving Dynamics course is $40 for drivers under 65. Drivers 65 and older can take MDD for a discounted price of $25.
How long is a defensive driving course in Maine?
Maine Driving Dynamics is a five-hour class. Many class locations allow drivers to complete the course in more than one session. If you take the course online, you can complete the course at your own pace—just make sure you don’t miss any court-imposed deadlines to receive credit for the course!
