Is a defensive driving course worth it in North Dakota? Here's the math

Most North Dakota drivers with 3 or 4 points do nothing, and most of the time nothing happens. The ones who get burned were one ticket from 12 and didn't know it. In about two minutes you'll know which group you're in. If you're short on time, the quick rule is in the last section.

The math: 3 points now, or 9 clean months

North Dakota takes 1 point off your total for every 3 months you go without new points. So 3 points disappear on their own after about 9 clean months. A defensive driving course takes the same 3 off as soon as NDDOT processes your certificate. You can use it once every 12 months, for up to 9 points in 3 years.

The 9 months only matter if something happens during them. At 12 points, North Dakota suspends your license for 7 days for every point over 11.

Your points today	If you get a 3-point ticket next month	With the course first
3	6 points. No suspension.	3 points. Nice to have, not urgent.
7	10 points. One more small ticket could suspend you.	7 points. A real buffer.
10	13 points: suspended 14 days.	10 points: no suspension.

Example math: 13 points is 2 over 11, and 2 × 7 days = 14 days. A ticket's actual points depend on the violation. See points for each violation.

Just got a ticket? You have 14 days to decide

If the ticket is worth 5 points or fewer, the course can keep those points off your record entirely. Post bond within 14 days of the ticket, and tell the clerk in writing that you elect a driver training course. Then finish the course and send the certificate to NDDOT at drs@nd.gov within 30 days. It doesn't work for tickets worth 6 points or more, it works once every 12 months, and if you use it you give up the separate 3-point reduction for now. How to elect the course at court · The 30-day deadline

When to skip it

• Your ticket has no points. Seat belt and texting tickets carry none. Tickets with no points
• Your record is clean and nothing is pending. Save the course for when you need it.
• You're suspended right now. The reduction counts only after the suspension is served. Suspended for points: what now
• You used a course in the last 12 months. How often you can take it
• You want a lower insurance premium, not fewer points. That's a different course. Which course do I need?

What it costs, all in

Ours is $24.99 total: course, certificate and quiz retakes, with no processing fee. Across all 22 NDDOT-approved courses, totals ran from $5 to $95 when we checked on October 28 and 29, 2026. Every one takes off the same 3 points, so the price buys format, audio and how fast you get the certificate, not a bigger reduction. See all 22 compared by price

Will it lower my insurance?

Not this course. The point reduction course is approved by NDDOT for points. North Dakota's insurance premium reduction (NDCC 26.1-25-04.1) comes from a separate course approved by the Highway Patrol. Your insurer has to offer a reduction for at least 2 years, or 3 years if you're 55 or older, but the law doesn't set an amount. Ask your insurer first. Point reduction or insurance reduction: which do you need?

So, which group are you in?

If you have 4 points or more, or a new ticket worth 5 or fewer that you can still elect at court, the course is worth it: 4 hours now beats a suspension later. If you're at 3 or fewer with nothing pending, bookmark this page and come back if that changes.

Start the North Dakota defensive driving course — $24.99

How the course works