How defensive driving discounts work
A defensive driving course (also called a driver improvement, driver safety or mature driver course) teaches hazard awareness, safe following distances and how to handle risky situations. Insurers reward drivers who finish an approved course with a lower premium, usually for two or three years. You then retake the course to keep the discount.
In some states, the discount is required by law: your insurer must give it if you qualify. In others it is voluntary, so it depends on the insurer. GEICO, for example, lists both defensive driving and driver training discounts with the amount shown as “varies”. Either way, always check with your insurer which courses it accepts before you pay for one.
States where the discount is required
Kiplinger checked state rules in May 2026 and found these states require some form of discount. “No set minimum” means the law requires a discount but doesn’t fix the size, so it varies by insurer.
| State | Minimum discount | How long | Age rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 5% | 2 years | 60+ |
| Delaware | 10% | 3 years | – |
| California | No set minimum | – | 55+ |
| Florida | No set minimum | 3 years | 55+ |
| Georgia | No set minimum | 3 years | – |
| Idaho | No set minimum | 3 years | 55+ |
| Illinois | No set minimum | – | 55+ |
| Kansas | No set minimum | 3 years | – |
| Kentucky | No set minimum | 3–5 years | 55+ |
| Louisiana | Up to 10% | – | – |
| Maine | No set minimum | 3 years | 55+ |
| Minnesota | No set minimum | – | 55+ |
| Mississippi | 10% | 3 years | 55+ |
| Montana | No set minimum | – | 55+ |
| New Jersey | No set minimum | 3 years | – |
| New York | 10% | 3 years | – |
| Ohio | No set minimum | – | 60+ |
| Oklahoma | No set minimum | 3 years | – |
| Oregon | No set minimum | – | 55+ |
| Pennsylvania | 5% | 3 years | 55+ |
| South Carolina | No set minimum | 3 years | 26+ |
| Texas | 10% | 3 years | – |
| Washington | No set minimum | – | 55+ |
| West Virginia | No set minimum | 3 years | 55+ |
| Wyoming | 10% | 2 years | – |
Source: Kiplinger, May 2026. “–” means no limit was stated. Rules can change; confirm with your insurer or state insurance department.
Courses in the 10 most populated states
The courses on offer depend on the state. Some states use defensive driving for insurance discounts and points, others use traffic school or “basic driver improvement” to keep a ticket off your record, and teens in many states must complete driver’s education before getting a license. This table shows what is available online in the 10 largest states and the insurance rule in each.
| State | Courses available online | Insurance discount rule | Online course (sponsored) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | Defensive driving (PIRP) | 10% off for 3 years, any age | NY defensive driving, 5-hour pre-licensing |
| Texas | Defensive driving; driver’s ed for teens | 10% for 3 years | TX defensive driving, TX driver’s ed |
| California | Traffic school; driver’s ed for teens | Discount required for drivers 55+ (no set minimum) | CA traffic school, CA driver’s ed |
| Florida | Basic driver improvement; mature driver course | Discount required for drivers 55+, for 3 years | FL basic driver improvement, FL mature driver course |
| Pennsylvania | Defensive driving; driver’s ed | 5% for 3 years, drivers 55+ | PA defensive driving, PA driver’s ed |
| Georgia | Defensive driving | Discount required for 3 years (no set minimum) | GA defensive driving |
| Illinois | Adult driver’s ed | Discount required for drivers 55+ (no set minimum) | IL adult driver’s ed |
| Ohio | Driver’s ed for teens | Discount required for drivers 60+ (no set minimum) | OH driver’s ed |
| North Carolina | Defensive driving | No state-required discount; ask your insurer | NC defensive driving |
| Michigan | Basic driver improvement | No state-required discount; ask your insurer | MI basic driver improvement |
Course links go to IMPROV and its sister brand Driverz, which run state-approved online courses. Insuretro may earn a commission if you buy a course; it doesn’t change the price. Always check the course is approved for your purpose (insurance discount, ticket or license) by your state, court or insurer.
Full guides for each state
State notes
New York has the strongest rule: a 10% discount on the base rate for three years for any licensed driver, plus up to 4 points off. See our full New York defensive driving guide.
Texas also sets a 10% discount for three years. Teens under 18 in Texas need driver’s education before they can get a license, and some courses can be taken online.
Florida requires insurers to give drivers 55 and over a discount for three years after a mature driver course. The separate basic driver improvement course is mainly used to deal with eligible tickets.
California, Illinois and Pennsylvania require discounts for older drivers: 55 and over, with Pennsylvania fixing it at 5% for three years. Illinois also requires a short adult driver education course for many first-time applicants aged 18 to 20.
North Carolina and Michigan don’t require a course discount, but courses can still help with points or tickets, and some insurers offer a discount voluntarily.
IMPROV offers state-approved defensive driving, traffic school and insurance discount courses that you can take on a phone or computer at your own pace. See insurance discount courses with IMPROV (sponsored link). Ask your insurer to confirm the course qualifies before you enroll.
Teen drivers: driver’s ed and insurance
Adding a teenager to a policy is one of the biggest jumps in car insurance cost. Finishing driver’s education helps in two ways: it is required for a license in many states, and many insurers give a driver training or good-student discount to young drivers. Ask about both when you add a new driver, and compare quotes, because the price of covering a teen varies widely between insurers. Our guide to the cheapest car insurance by driver type shows which companies tend to be cheapest for young drivers.
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Sponsored listings. Insuretro may be paid if you click a listing; it doesn’t change your price.Is a defensive driving course worth it?
For most drivers who qualify, yes. Online courses usually cost $25 to $40 and take four to eight hours. A 10% discount on a $1,500 premium is $150 a year, or $450 over three years. Even a 5% discount usually pays for the course in the first year. The course is less worthwhile if your insurer doesn’t offer a discount and you don’t need it for a ticket, so check first.
Common questions
Which states require a defensive driving insurance discount?
About 25 states, according to Kiplinger’s May 2026 review, including New York, Texas, Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Illinois. Many apply only to drivers 55 or over.
How much is a defensive driving discount?
It varies. New York, Texas, Delaware, Mississippi and Wyoming set 10%, Connecticut and Pennsylvania 5%, and many states require a discount without fixing the amount.
How long does the discount last?
Usually two or three years. You can then retake the course to keep it.
Can I take a defensive driving course online?
In most states, yes. Check that the course is approved by your state and accepted by your insurer before you enroll.
Does driver’s ed lower insurance for teens?
Often. Many insurers offer a driver training discount for young drivers who complete an approved course, and it is required for a license in many states.
Sources
- Kiplinger: States where insurers must give a defensive driving discount (May 2026)
- New York DMV: Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP)
- GEICO: Car insurance discounts
- IMPROV: Insurance discount courses
Prices, discounts and rules change often and vary by state and driver. Figures were checked in October 2026; confirm details with the insurer or your state insurance department.