How Long Is the New York Defensive Driving Course?

The New York DMV sets the course at 320 minutes of instruction — about 5.5 hours. (That's why you'll see it advertised as anywhere from "5.5 hours" to "6 hours"; the real requirement is 320 minutes.) Online, you can spread that time across several sittings, as long as you finish within 30 days of registering.

Here's exactly how the time and the deadlines work.

Both classroom and online courses must cover 320 minutes of instruction. Online providers can't let you blow through it faster — the time is built into the course, so plan for roughly 5.5 hours total.

You don't have to do it all at once online. The course is self-paced and saves your progress between sessions.

Once you register for the online course, you must complete it within 30 days. Within that window you can log in and out as often as you like.

If you don't finish in time, you can generally lose access and have to re-register — so don't start the day before you need the certificate.

There's no single final exam. Lessons include quizzes, and you typically need about 70% to pass. Online courses verify your identity throughout — using your DMV client ID and methods such as security questions or biometrics — so you can't have someone else take it for you.

When you're done, the provider reports your point reduction to the DMV (usually within about 10 weeks), and you give the certificate to your insurer for the discount. See claiming the discount.

About 5.5 hours, self-paced, finished within 30 days — then your benefits kick in. When you're ready, we'll point you to the New York online course.