Posted: Monday Sep 7, 11:19 PST Updated: Saturday Sep 19, 15:28 PST
New York State Driver Improvement Program | Driver Education And Training For New York Point And Insurance Reduction Program ( I-PIRP )
New York, New York
For Immediate Releaase:
New York, New York - (Business Wire) - September 04, 2009
New York Point & Insurance Reduction Program ( PIRP ) Courses Now Online
The New York State DMV announced, in May 2009, that New York State Online Defensive Driving Courses
had been approved. Ironically, this announcement was shortly followed by the results of a GMAC survey pointing out that New York drivers were the worst in the nation when it comes to basic knowledge of road rules and traffic safety. (Idaho and Wisconsin, it turns out, had the most informed drivers.)
Most states, including New York, already recognize the benefits that defensive driving courses can provide through a reduction in traffic crash fatalities, injuries, and property damage. While states such as New Jersey, California,Florida
,Texas,and Virginia
have provided an online option for driver training for years now, New York has traditionally offered its accident prevention course only through DMV approved classroom agencies.
In New York, the State Approved 6-Hour Defensive Driving Course
is referred to as the Point Insurance Reduction Program
, or PIRP. The majority of drivers who attend a PIRP course do so to collect a 10% Reduction in their New York State Insurance Premium
. The reduction is mandatory, meaning New York state law requires that insurance companies give a discount of at least 10% to any licensed driver who completes the accident prevention course. The course won't keep your rates from increasing for tickets and violations you've received, but it will make a sizable dent in a typically high New York auto insurance rate.
New York drivers who complete an accident prevention course (either online or in the classroom) will also receive a Point Reduction on their New York State DMV Driving Record.
When they complete the course and their completion is reported to DMV, their computer will automatically remove up to four points from their record for any offenses committed within the past 18 months. The point reduction cannot be used as a "credit" toward future violations.
As with any type of government-regulated program, PIRP comes with its own special rules and restrictions. Drivers who are interested in the New York State Insurance or Point Reduction
can go to the New York DMV website to view the C-32A
brochure, which provides complete details about the PIRP course. The C-32A brochure is also available from any local New York license office.
The web-based version of the PIRP course is called the Internet Point Insurance Reduction Program, or I-PIRP. New York State Approved I-PIRP courses are equivalent to the traditional classroom courses taught by an instructor, but there are some significant differences between the two. To begin with, the web courses are noteworthy for their convenience. No driving to a classroom is required for any reason (not even to take a final exam). This could be a huge factor for New Yorkers who want to take the course, but would prefer to avoid congested traffic, inclement weather, and high gas prices.
Second, the Internet defensive driving courses must use advanced security features to prevent fraud. This is not a part of the classroom experience. The DMV has required that all I-PIRP sponsors use some form of biometric security measures OR require proctored testing at a physical location before their courses will be approved. All of the courses that have been approved to date use some form of biometrics, which can range from facial scanning to fingerprint scanning or other technologies. However, all of the courses that were initially approved use a form of biometrics known as keystroke analysis
Perhaps the most noticeable difference between the live PIRP class and its online counterpart is that the former requires an instructor, while the latter does not. If students have a question about the material, they can call or e-mail the company offering the course, but they cannot raise their hand, ask a question, and get an immediate response. This is obviously a disadvantage for students who wish to have a more "hands-on" experience or quick access to a seasoned professional.
On the other hand, the online defensive driving courses must meet strict content guidelines established by the DMV, so all students will receive the same instruction each time the course is delivered. DMV requires that certain topics be covered, such as New York traffic laws, how to deal with aggressive driving, and the consequences for drivers who choose to drink and drive.
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