In the state of Georgia, a Defensive Driving Course will cost you $95. This price is set by Georgia's Department of Driver Services and applied to all driving schools in the state that are certified to teach the Defensive Driving Course (DDC), like Alfa Driving School. Since the price is set and regulated by Georgia's DDS, no school can decrease or increase the value. The only time that prices increase or decrease are when done so by the state.
Here's everything you need to know about Defensive Driving, per the Georgia Department of Driver Services website:
1. What is a Driver Improvement/Defensive Driving Course?
Driver Improvement is a 6 hour course designed to teach drivers about safe driving attitudes and behaviors.
2. What is the difference between Driver Improvement and Defensive Driving?
There is no difference. Driver Improvement and Defensive Driving are interchangeable terms.
3. Why would I take a Driver Improvement Course?
Driver Improvement courses may be court ordered, taken for points reduction, driver’s license reinstatement, insurance premium reduction, or personal education.
4. What is the difference between Driver’s Education and Driver Improvement?
Driver’s Education is a separate program required for 16-year-olds to obtain their Class D license. Driver Improvement is a program geared toward safety education for licensed drivers of any age.
5. How often may I take a Driver Improvement course for points reduction?
In accordance with O.C.G.A §40-5-86, licensed Georgia residents may request that DDS reduce the number of points assessed against their Georgia Driver's license up to 7 points once every 5 years.
6. If members of my household complete a Driver Improvement course how can we qualify for a reduction in insurance premiums?
Check with your insurance company to see if you or your family members are eligible for the reduction. For all qualifications you may also refer to O.C.G.A. § 33-9-42.
7. What if I lose my Certificate of Completion?
You must contact the clinic you attended and request a replacement. Driver Improvement records are only retained for three years. If the clinic has closed and you took the class within the past 3 years please call 678-413-8745. A fee up to $5.00 may be charged for the replacement certificate. If it has been longer than three years, you must retake the course.
8. I was 5 minutes late arriving for class and the instructor would not allow me to attend the class. Can they do that?
Yes. All schools have strict attendance policies, which are outlined in the paperwork you sign when you contract with a school to attend one of its courses. You will be expected to arrive on time and to complete each session. Students that arrive late to any session can expect to be denied entry into class and may be required to start the course over again, at full cost. In addition, students that are absent or leave early from any session may be required to start the course over again, at full cost. It is recommended that you consider the course schedule carefully and take into account any potential scheduling conflicts you may have before signing a contract to attend
9. Can I get a refund from the school if I'm unable to attend the class or if I was denied entrance because I was late?
The decision to issue a refund or make alternate arrangements to make up a missed portion of the course is a matter between the student and the school he or she contracts with to take the course. All schools have strict attendance policies, which are outlined in the paperwork a student receives when he or she contracts with a school to attend one of its courses.
10. What is the difference between a Driver Improvement course approved by the Department of Driver Services and a course not approved by the Department of Driver Services?
You may use a Certificate of Completion from a DDS approved course taught at a certified Driver Improvement Clinic for certain matters related to your driver’s license. Driver Improvement courses not approved by DDS, such as AARP, cannot be used for driver’s license related issues. The list of certified Driver Improvement Clinicsmay be found on our website.
11. How do I know the school has been certified?
The list of certified Driver Improvement Clinics may be found on our website.
12. Can I take a Driver Improvement course online?
At this time, DDS does not recognize online Driver Improvement courses for driver’s license related issues. Certificates of Completion from online Driver Improvement courses are not accepted by the DDS for any purposes related to an individual’s driver’s license or driving privileges.
13. Does the Driver Improvement course involve behind the wheel instruction?
Driver Improvement courses approved by DDS are classroom instruction only and do not include practical or behind the wheel instruction.
14. I took a Driver Improvement course for license reinstatement. Can I use the same Certificate of Completion for points reduction?
When you submit the Certificate of Completion to a DDS Customer Service Center, you must inform them at that time that you wish to use it for both license reinstatement and points reduction.
15. Are Driver Improvement clinics and instructors employees of the DDS?
Driver Improvement clinics are independently owned and operated and employ their own instructors and they are not employees of the DDS. The DDS certifies clinics and instructors and ensures compliance in accordance with the requirements set forth by DDS rules and regulations and the Georgia Driver Improvement Act.
16. If I experience problems with a Driver Improvement Clinic, instructor or course, what can I do?
All complaints related to a school or instructor must be made in writing using the official DDS Complaint Form.
17. What is the cost of a Driver Improvement Course?
For license reinstatement, points reduction, or court purposes, clinics must charge $95. For Driver Improvement classes taken for any other reason (i.e. insurance premium reduction, educational purposes), clinics may charge a fee up to $95.
For further information visit the Department of Driver Services website at www.dds.georgia.gov or www.gateendrivereducation.dds.ga.gov.
Remember, Alfa Driving School in Doraville is here to help! We have a beautiful office in Doraville, walking distance from the Marta station, that is there to assist you with all your needs. Once you decide to take Driving Lesson and get help for the Road Test, take a Defensive Driving Course or the DUI Class/Risk Reduction Course, give us a call! We also accept walk-ins for our Defensive Driving Course (DDC) and Risk Reduction Programs (DUI Course).
We also offer other programs as well. For more information on those visit alfadoraville.com, call (770) 457-4908 or come in to our office!
Alfa Driving School is Atlanta’s premier driving and traffic school and is available for all your needs. Since 1993 Alfa Driving School has called Doraville home and has enjoyed providing its services to the local community and those from all over the great state of Georgia. For the past 25 years, residents of Doraville, Chamblee and the rest of DeKalb County have been able to trust Alfa Driving School to give them proper, high quality and expert services. With excellent customer service and some of the best instructors in the state, Alfa Driving School is here for all of your defensive driving course, risk reduction and driving lesson needs. For over 20 years, Alfa Driving School has helped locals get rid of points on their license, reduce their car insurance premiums, getting tickets dismissed in court and much more with the help of our defensive driving course. The defensive driving course, also known as DDC, has allowed students to learn all the necessary things to be safe and knowledgeable drivers. With our risk reduction course, also known as DUI course, we have made sure that all of our students that take the class to get their license back and/or complete court mandates leave our office with the knowledge and attitude to be better drivers and to learn from their mistakes. Our hard working risk reduction instructors make it imperative that all of our students fulfil all the program requirements and fully understand why they are taking the class and how to not end up in the same situation. And for those that just want to learn how to drive and get their license, Alfa Driving School has some of the instructors the city of Doraville and the state of Georgia has to offer. With over 20 years of experience, our instructors make it their duty to make sure that the student learns all they need to know to pass their road test and be a smart, safe driver. Our instructor makes sure that the student feels comfortable driving and knows to listen to the student on what they want to practice more on, what they don’t feel comfortable with and what they would like to practice and get more experience doing.
Alfa Driving School is a certified by the Georgia Department of Driver Services to facilitate and implement the defensive driving course (DDC), risk reduction program (DUI course) and provide behind the wheel driving lessons throughout the state. In our 25 years of service, we have taken great pride in being a part of the Doraville, Chamblee and DeKalb County community and have had the pleasure of helping the residents in Doraville and its neighboring cities. Alfa Driving School, learn from the best.
