One of the best things about getting a license is the freedom to get to different places fast and conveniently.
But what comes with the privilege is the responsibility to practice safe driving and abide by the rules. Disobeying the laws will cost you money, and in some cases, your license.
The good news is, in Michigan, you can avoid having your license suspended or revoked by removing points from your record. The state allows you to complete the Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) through an approved online traffic school.
Unlike BDIC courses offered in other states, Michigan only allows it to be taken once.
Today, we will be reviewing the 5 best online traffic schools in Michigan that can help you keep your driving record clean.
So let’s begin!
What are the Best Online Traffic Schools in Michigan?
Here are 5 of the best online traffic schools in Michigan:
- iDriveSafely
- Improv Traffic School
- Defensive Drivers Group
- SafetyServe (National Safety Council)
- GoToTrafficSchool
Ready to get to know more about their offers? Let’s dive in!
iDriveSafely
iDriveSafely has been a leading provider of online defensive driving education for more than two decades. It is popular among drivers for its simple yet effective course materials.
iDriveSafely’s Basic Driver Improvement Course is comprehensive and easy to understand. It contains eight short chapters that feature various interactive elements, such as rich graphics and animations.
It covers everything you need to know, from Michigan traffic laws to highway safety, alcohol-and-drug-impaired driving, defensive driving techniques, safety procedures, vehicle maintenance, etc.
The written content might seem long, but don’t worry, it’s very easy to read.
If you’re not a reader, then you may opt for the audio read-along upgrade. This lets you listen to the course while doing other tasks.
The course fee is around $30, and the read-along add-on costs about $5.
You can learn more about iDriveSafely through our video review:
Improv Traffic School
Co-created by comedians and professional writers, Improv Traffic School has received the Best Traffic School award multiple times.
To date, it is still one of the most trusted online defensive driving education providers in the country. Each month, Improv helps around 30,000 drivers dismiss their traffic tickets and remove demerit points from their records.
Improv’s humorous coursework helps make traffic school a fun experience. Apart from comic illustrations, its text content is light-hearted and easy to read. If you want to go through the course in detail for educational purposes, you won’t find the material boring at all.
Improv Traffic School’s Basic Driver Improvement Course for Michigan is available for an unbelievably low price of around $20. Plus, the course comes with free upgrades with a total value of about $16. These upgrades include 30-minute certificate processing, 24/7 customer support, printable cheat sheets, and due date email reminder.
Have an inside look at Improv’s coursework, and know the pros and cons of signing up, through our video review:
Defensive Drivers Group
Defensive Drivers Group is a home-grown provider of the Basic Driver Improvement Course. It has been a Michigan-owned and operated business since 2009. Its course offering is fully approved by the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS).
The course contains 12 short and easily digestible lessons. It covers various topics about safe driving, such as understanding road signs, phone and texting laws, blind intersections, drunk driving, etc.
The chapter quizzes are super easy, too. Not only that, you can take these quizzes, as well as the final exam, unlimited times.
Defensive Drivers Group’s BDIC is available for only around $30. If you’re not happy with the course, you will get a full refund within 30 days, no questions asked. Customer satisfaction is important to DDG, so if you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to call them.
SafetyServe (National Safety Council)
SafetyServe partnered with the National Safety Council to bring a world-class Basic Driver Improvement Course for Michigan drivers, fully approved by the SOS.
The National Safety Council has been a defensive driving pioneer since the mid-1960s and has trained over 65 million drivers in the past decades.
SafetyServe and the NSC’s curriculum is state-of-the-art. It features art animations, graphics, and videos that provide drivers with an interactive learning experience.
SafetyServe’s Michigan BDIC delivers lessons through short, PowerPoint-like click-through presentations. The coursework is not text-heavy. So instead of boring students to sleep, the course offers an engaging way for them to analyze real-life scenarios, spot hazards, and make smart driving decisions.
The course teaches drivers to maintain a good driving attitude, practice courtesy on the road, and prevent collisions.
SafetyServe’s Michigan BDIC starts at a little under $35.
GoToTrafficSchool
GoToTrafficSchool’s Michigan defensive driving course isn’t approved for points reduction. However, you can still take it for auto insurance discounts and educational purposes.
Note: if you want to take it to reduce points, you can ask for special permission from the DMV.
GoToTrafficSchool offers the course in a simple PDF-like format. It contains some photos and videos here and there, but it is primarily text-based.
That said, the content may be a bit dry and boring. But if you’re just taking the course as a refresher or to qualify for a discount, then you’ll find it easy to scan through it quickly and finish the quizzes and exam.
The online defensive driving course is available at a low price of around $20.
But what’s great is that you can pay later on. You only need to pay before you take the final exam. That’s GoToTrafficSchool’s satisfaction guarantee.
Check out our video review for more details about GoToTrafficSchool:
Traffic Schools in Michigan FAQs
Can I take an online traffic school in Michigan?
Yes, the state of Michigan allows the use of online traffic schools for driver improvement programs.
Can I dismiss a traffic ticket through an online traffic school in Michigan?
Yes. In Michigan, drivers have the option to fight their traffic tickets by completing the Basic Driver Improvement Program (BDIC). The BDIC also allows you to remove points off your driving record.
What are the requirements for taking the Basic Driver Improvement Course in Michigan?
To be eligible to take the BDIC, you must meet the following requirements:
- The traffic ticket must be for a non-criminal offense and has a value of no more than three points.
- You hold a non-commercial Michigan driver’s license.
- Your Michigan driving record has less than two points.
- You must not have previously taken the BDIC.
- Your license is valid and not currently suspended or revoked.
How long does it take to finish the Michigan Basic Driver Improvement Course?
The Michigan Basic Driver Improvement Course takes about 4 hours, the minimum time required by the state.
Conclusion
Driving is one of the most essential skills a person can have.
Whether it’s for work, travel, or simply doing errands, driving makes a lot of things easier for us. Hence, losing your license can very well be devastating.
Fortunately, the Internet has enabled drivers to scrub their records clean, avoid license suspension, and keep car insurance rates from rising. Thanks to these online traffic schools, Michigan drivers no longer have to leave their homes to attend in-person classes.