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Can you go to jail for not doing a defensive driving course?
I was ordered by the court to complete a defensive driving course a while back, but I got so distracted by life that I forgot to do the course on time. Is there a chance I could be sent to jail?
Pat Roache · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
An honest mistake like that can be very intimidating in the eyes of the law. Depending on the specifics of your court case and the judge’s ruling, failing to complete a
defensive driving course
will likely not result in jail time.Take the following steps when you’ve failed to complete a court-ordered defensive driving course on time:
- Talk to the lawyer who represented you on your case to let them know your situation
- Ask the judge who presided over your case for more time to complete the course
You are not guaranteed an extension, but more often than not, the consequences are limited to the past violation going on your driving record. [A bad driving record](
https://getjerry.com/advice/how-do-driver-violation-points-affect-your-insurance-rates]
will have lasting implications for your license and your insurance but carries no inherent threat of jail time.That said, you may be looking at higher insurance rates, so download the
Jerry
app to find the most affordable rates on car insurance
for any situation. It takes less than a minute to sign up and the average user saves $887 a year on their premium.View full answer
- Gregory R.
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