Drivers in the state of Indiana may take advantage of state laws that permit them to take a state-approved driver safety program (DSP) course from a licensed provider. By doing so, a driver can obtain the following benefits:
Indiana law mandates that anyone who is under 21 and who has been convicted of two or more traffic offenses, been involved in two or more accidents, or any combination of the two will be required to take a DSP course by the court. Any driver who has been convicted of two or more driving offenses within a twelve month period may also be required to take a DSP course by the court. Failure to do so can result in the individual's license being suspended by the court. In addition, a court may offer completion of a DSP course as an alternative to suspending the defendant's license. By doing so, the court can help the driver retain his or her driving privileges, while also ensuring that he or she is better prepared to practice good driving habits.
In addition to those individuals who are taking a DSP course to avoid suspension of their license, many drivers participate in a DSP course in order to improve their driver's record or reduce the cost of their vehicle insurance. Indiana allows anyone who has successfully completed a DSP course to deduct up to four points from their driving record once every three years. This can protect individuals from accumulating too many points on their driving record, with the subsequent risk of seeing their license suspended. In addition, although the credit can only be applied once for every three years, taking another DSP course during the three year period will see the credit extended for the next three years.
Another reason to voluntarily complete a DSP course is to earn a car insurance discount. Many insurance providers try to encourage proper driving skills by providing their customers who have completed a DSP course with a discount. In this case, it is important to consult with the driver's insurance provider in order to determine what type of discount he or she may obtain and what type of documentation the insurance provider may require. Depending on the individual's age, driving record and insurance provider, the monetary benefits from completing a DSP course can be considerable. If you're looking for SR50 insurance Indiana policy requirements then please read our more in-depth article.
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The Indiana BMV recognizes three types of DSP courses: classroom, DVD or online format. All of these courses have been designed to conform to the requirements of the BMV and it is extremely important that anyone taking a DSP course ensure that the provider has been authorized to offer this course by the state. For that reason, the BMV provides a list of authorized DSP classroom , DVD and online course providers. All of these courses cover the same material and will take a minimum of four hours to complete.
DSP classes are not driving classes, and they assume that the participants already understand the basics of operating a motor vehicle. What these courses are designed to do is to assist the students in recognizing and making use of safe driving practices to help reduce the chance that they will be involved in a traffic accident. In general, these classes cover the following items:
After completing the course, most DSP programs will require that the student take and pass a test. Many programs allow the students to attempt to retake the test multiple times if they have difficulty passing it when they first make the attempt. Once the individual has passed the DSP program, the documentation is sent to the Indiana BMV. It can take up to 10 days for the paperwork to be received and processed by the BMV. For this reason, anyone taking a DSP course as an alternative to having their license suspended should make certain to complete their program well in advance of any deadline set by the court or the BMV.
Finally, Indiana has established a price ceiling of $55 for any DSP course, no matter who provides it. In addition, participants in the course are also responsible for any fees that may be charged by the BMV or the court. Most DSP course providers accept most types of payment, including cash, credit card, or check from their participants.
Ultimately, successfully completing a DSP program in Indiana can help an individual keep their license, reduce their insurance costs and reduce the chance that they may be involved in a potentially fatal traffic accident. These facts make taking an DSP course an excellent investment for Indiana drivers, no matter their age or skill level.
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