SUMMARY: Maryland Defensive Driving Courses If you've received too many driving record points, committed certain traffic violations, or have been ordered by the court, you'll need to complete a driver improvement program (DIP). Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) requires mandatory completion of traffic school in order to:. Improve safe driving behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge of problem drivers.

1. Mva Driver Improvement Program

Mva Driver Improvement Program

Reduce your risk of receiving a driver's license suspension. Prevent future traffic violations and accidents.

If you take a defensive driving course voluntarily, you may be eligible to earn a car insurance discount. On this page you'll find information about the Maryland MVA or court-required driver improvement program and possible benefits of a voluntary defensive driving course. Mandatory DIP Requirements in MD You may be required to complete a Maryland defensive driving/driver improvement program (DIP) if you:. Were ordered by your traffic court.

Were ordered by the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). Have accumulated at least 5 points on your Maryland MVA driving record. Received a traffic conviction or probation before judgment (PBJ) while on your provisional driver's license. After you are ordered by the Maryland DMV or ordered by a court, you should receive a defensive driving program notice from the DMV within 6 weeks.

Your notice will generally include information about:. Your specific offense/circumstances. Your deadline to complete traffic school. Any additional documents/fees you may need to provide. Once you receive your notice, you can select a driver improvement program from the found on the Maryland MVA website. If you've lost your defensive driving referral letter, please visit or contact the. Course Duration Your driver improvement program will last anywhere from 4 to 8 hours.

Your course provider will determine the schedule, location, and cost. You'll need to contact your specific traffic school for more information. Course Completion Once you complete your course, your program provider will give you a completion certificate and submit your completion information to the Maryland MVA. Depending on your driving history and the circumstances of your offense, you may also be required to submit additional fines, reinstatement fees, and clearance documents to the MD MVA.

If you accumulate too many driving record points, commit major traffic offenses, or fail to complete a required driver improvement program, the Maryland MVA may suspend your driver's license. For more information about checking your driving record points and reinstating a suspended license, please visit our pages on:. Voluntary Defensive Driving in Maryland If you decide to take a course voluntarily, you may have the option of completing defensive driving online, in a classroom, or using a take-home DVD. Completing voluntary Maryland traffic school may earn you a discount on your car insurance premiums.

Please contact your car insurance provider for more information about your eligibility and defensive driving courses you can choose from. Generally, a voluntary driver improvement program may take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours to complete. It may cover topics, such as:.

Safe driving techniques. Traffic accident prevention. Maryland traffic laws and violations.

Alcohol/drug abuse and offenses. Developing responsible driving behaviors. Sharing the road. At the end of your course, your course provider may require you to pass a final exam. Upon completion, your defensive driving provider will usually give you a completion certificate.

Please contact your car insurance provider for details about what you'll need to submit to, if applicable. Even if you are not eligible for lower car insurance premiums, completing a defensive driving course benefit you in other ways, including reducing your risk of:. Committing traffic offenses.

Receiving driving record points. Causing accidents.

DRIVER IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (DIP) For 40 years Widmyer has offered the most efficient, enjoyable, and the most reasonably priced State of Maryland MVA certified programs. REGISTRATION/PAYMENT.IT'S EASY! $50 cash due when you attend. No payment is required to register.

You review the DIP class material online at your convenience then you must take the final DIP quiz at one of our locations. Class meets MD MVA requirement! Enroll or view upcoming date. DIP class is approximately 3 hours. The final DIP quiz is given at the end of class.

Class meets MD MVA requirement! COMPLETING THE DIP The DIP program may be completed in either of 2 ways; In-person or online. If you attend the DIP program in-person, the program is usually less than 3 hours. You may click the button above to view dates, locations or register. Or If you complete the DIP program online(must be 18), there is no minimum time requirement. You may log in and out to complete the material.

After you complete the online material at your leisure, you must come in to a Widmyer location for a not too difficult 20 question quiz to finish the class. A basic understanding of spoken and written English is required. See below for FAQ. (frequently asked questions) QUIZ TIMES FOR ONLINE DIP STUDENTS Quiz times for online students may be viewed by selecting from the menu. $50 cash is payable at time of testing. NOTE: SPECIAL QUIZ TIME If the scheduled quiz times don't work with your schedule, we'll try to make special arrangements to accommodate you for a private quiz time at most of our locations. The cost is $75 (vs.

$50 for a scheduled time) and requires an advance payment. If you need a 'special' time other than those listed, please call 301-791-7676 to pay in advance and request a 'special ' testing time. LOCATIONS/ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS Please select on the menu to view or print directions. You may complete the DIP in-person or online with Widmyer in the following counties:, and.

ABOUT OUR DRIVER IMPROVEMENT (DIP) All are welcome to take the class. However, the DIP is typically for:. drivers who want to voluntarily take it for another state or before a traffic court date. drivers referred by the MVA or court. drivers with a suspended or revoked license or applying for reinstatement. drivers who have had a moving violation while on a Provisional License NOTIFYING THE MVA Widmyer is approved by the Maryland MVA.

We promptly notify the Maryland MVA of a student's completion if the student provided us with their Maryland referral letter or their Maryland license number. The student receives proof of completion on the class/test day. Keep this copy! Other states or agencies are not notified. WHAT TO BRING.

if you are completing this as a Maryland requirement, you must bring a MVA letter or your Maryland license number in order for us to inform the MVA of your completion. $50 cash or money order (no checks/no credit cards). Exact amount please. photo ID- No Exceptions!

(can be from anywhere but must include name and photo). pen. online students-print and bring online Course Progress Report as proof of completion Driver Improvement Program (DIP) Frequently Asked Questions Words are 'over-lapping' on some parts of the online DIP program, making it difficult to read. What should I do?

We recommend trying another online browser (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, AOL). If that doesn't work, try another computer. You could download a new browser free of charge. How do I complete the Driver Improvement Program (DIP)? With Widmyer, you have the convenience of completing the State of Maryland approved Driver Improvement Program in-person or online. You may enroll or get more information by clicking the registration button above. Also, you may enroll to sit through the class by calling 301-791-7676.

How does the online DIP work?. Register by clicking the button above, and log into our online system to view the class material at your own pace. Select a from the menu to come in to complete the 20 question multiple choice written DIP quiz at any Widmyer location.

Receive your completion form. Please keep this for your records. We will electronically notify the Maryland MVA of your DIP completion if you provided us with a Maryland soundex (license) number. We do not notify other states or the courts of your completion. WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT COMPLETE DIP BY MY DUE DATE?

If you do not take the DIP by your DIP due date, your license will be suspended. I DO NOT HAVE MY MVA REFERRAL LETTER, CAN I STILL ATTEND THE CLASS? All are welcome to take the class. If you are taking this class as a Maryland requirement and want us to notify the MVA of your completion then you must bring your MVA referral letter or something that has your Maryland license number listed.

( your license, photo ID or registration) DOES TAKING THE DIP CLASS REMOVE POINTS FROM MY DRIVING RECORD? No, in Maryland, points will remain active on your driving record for 2 years from the date of each violation. MY LICENSE IS SUSPENDED WHEN WILL MY SUSPENSION BE LIFTED? We electronically notify the MVA within 24 hours of your completion if you provided us with a Maryland referral letter or provided your Maryland license number. It takes 48 hours for your completion to appear on your driving record. You receive proof of completion.( It's $20 for a duplicate proof of completion). It's up to the MVA to lift your suspension.

We do not notify other states or the courts of your completion. MVA phone: 410-787-7817.