North Dakota defensive driving course for points: how it works

What does a defensive driving course do in North Dakota?

It lowers your point total, or it keeps new points from being added. These are two separate options in state law, and you pick one for each course you take.

	3-point reduction	In lieu of points
What it does	Takes 3 points off your record	Keeps a new ticket's points off your record
When you choose	Any time you have points	At court, when you post bond
Which tickets	Points already on your record	A violation worth 5 points or fewer
Deadline	None	Certificate to NDDOT within 30 days of your election
How often	Once in any 12 months	Once in any 12 months
Law	NDCC 39-06.1-13	NDCC 39-06.1-10.1

How does the 3-point reduction work?

You finish an approved course and mail or deliver the certificate to NDDOT. The law says your point total "must, during any twelve-month period, be reduced by three points" when the director receives it.

Two limits apply. The reduction comes only from points you had before you finished the course. And it can't exceed 9 points in any three-year period.

How does "in lieu of points" work?

You tell the court you elect a driver training course when you post bond for the ticket. If NDDOT gets proof that you finished within 30 days of that election, the points for the ticket are not assessed.

You still forfeit the bond, so the ticket costs the same. The violation has to be worth 5 points or fewer. How to elect it at court has the steps.

Which one should I use?

Use the in-lieu option if you just got a ticket and haven't posted bond yet. Use the reduction if the points are already on your record. Reduction or in lieu of points compares them with examples.

Does the course have to be approved?

Yes. Both laws require a course "approved by the director" of NDDOT. NDDOT lists approved courses on its points reduction page.

Who sends the certificate?

You do. North Dakota has no system for course providers to report completions. Email the certificate to drs@nd.gov or mail it to the Driver License Division, 608 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505-0700. See how to send your certificate to NDDOT.

Will the course stop a suspension?

No. North Dakota suspends at 12 points. If your record has 12 or more when NDDOT receives the certificate, the reduction is applied after you serve the suspension. The course helps most when you take it at 8, 9 or 10 points.

Do points go away without a course?

Yes. NDDOT takes 1 point off for every three months you go without new points. How long points stay explains the timing.

What does our course involve?

Four hours online, eight modules and a 25-question final with unlimited retakes. It's $24.99 with the certificate included. What to expect.