Georgia DDS-Certified Courses
DRIVER IMPROVEMENT VS. DUI RISK REDUCTION

Georgia's Driver Improvement Program is the program many drivers still know as Defensive Driving. In fact, Georgia DDS states that "Driver Improvement" and "Defensive Driving" are interchangeable terms for this program.

The DDS-approved Driver Improvement course consists of six hours of classroom instruction designed to improve safe-driving attitudes and behaviors.

A Driver Improvement course may be taken for several reasons, including:

• A court order following a traffic offense
• Reduction of points on a Georgia driver's license
• Driver's license reinstatement
• Possible reduction of automobile insurance premiums
• Personal education and improvement of driving skills

The course does not include behind-the-wheel driving instruction.

One important use of Driver Improvement is reducing points already assessed against a Georgia driver's license.

Georgia residents may request a reduction of up to seven points once every five years after successfully completing a certified Driver Improvement course.

Driver Improvement may also be useful in some cases before points are assessed. Georgia DDS explains that a defendant who successfully completes a certified 6-hour Driver Improvement course after receiving a moving violation citation but before appearing in court may present the original certificate to the court. Subject to the applicable requirements, the court can reduce the fine by 20 percent and assess no points. This provision may be used once every five years.

Because the circumstances of individual traffic cases differ, you should follow the instructions provided by the court or DDS rather than assuming that taking a course will automatically change the outcome of your citation.

The DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program is a different program designed specifically to address alcohol and drug use and its relationship to driving.

Georgia law requires the program for certain offenses, including:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
• Possession of illegal drugs
• Underage possession of alcohol while operating a motor vehicle
• Boating Under the Influence (BUI)

Unlike the 6-hour Driver Improvement course, DUI Risk Reduction consists of two required components.

1. NEEDS Assessment

The first step is the Assessment Component, commonly known as the NEEDS Assessment.

According to Georgia DDS, this is a 130-question screening instrument used to evaluate an individual's alcohol and drug use and its impact on driving.

The assessment must be completed before beginning the Intervention Component.

2. 20-Hour Intervention Course

After completing the assessment, the student completes the 20-hour Intervention Component.

The course takes place over multiple sessions and provides therapeutic education concerning alcohol and drug use, decision-making, driving, and related risk factors. It also incorporates a group environment and peer interaction.

Both the assessment and the complete 20-hour Intervention Component must be successfully completed before the student receives a DUI Risk Reduction Certificate of Completion.

The important point is that these courses serve different purposes. Completing Driver Improvement does not mean that you have completed DUI Risk Reduction, and completing DUI Risk Reduction does not automatically satisfy a separate requirement to take Driver Improvement.

The paperwork you received from the court or Georgia DDS should indicate which program you are required to complete.

As a general rule, Driver Improvement is associated with traffic violations, points, certain license reinstatement requirements, or improving driving behavior. DUI Risk Reduction is associated with DUI and certain other alcohol- or drug-related offenses.

There are situations in which a person may be required to complete more than one type of program. For example, the requirements associated with a DUI case can involve multiple steps depending on the conviction, license status, and court requirements.

If you are unsure, check your court documents or DDS requirements before registering. It is better to verify the required course beforehand than to complete a program that does not satisfy your particular requirement.

Yes, in Georgia.

This is a common source of confusion because people may still be told by a judge, attorney, insurance company, or other organization to take "Defensive Driving."

Georgia DDS specifically states that there is no difference between Driver Improvement and Defensive Driving and that the terms are interchangeable.

The current program name is generally Driver Improvement, but a request for a Georgia-certified Defensive Driving course normally refers to the same 6-hour program.

No. This is another important distinction.

A DUI Risk Reduction course and a Clinical DUI Evaluation are separate services.

DUI Risk Reduction is the standardized DDS-regulated program consisting of the NEEDS Assessment and 20-hour Intervention Component.

A Clinical DUI Evaluation is a more individualized evaluation conducted by an appropriately credentialed professional to assess a person's alcohol or drug use and determine whether additional education, counseling, or treatment may be appropriate. A clinical evaluation may be required separately by a court, probation officer, attorney, or another agency.

If your paperwork says that you need both DUI Risk Reduction and a Clinical Evaluation, completing one should not be assumed to satisfy the other requirement.

Learn more on our Clinical DUI Evaluation page.

When a Driver Improvement or DUI Risk Reduction course is being taken to satisfy a court or driver's license requirement, choosing the correct provider matters.

Georgia DDS advises drivers to use DDS-certified schools and programs. A course from an uncertified provider may not be accepted for licensing, reinstatement, or court purposes.

This is particularly important when searching online. A website advertising a generic "defensive driving course" is not necessarily offering a Georgia DDS-certified Driver Improvement program.