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A defensive driving course is "a course in defensive driving and accident prevention that is approved by the Commission and by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles" (TLC Chapter 51). For TLC drivers it does two jobs: it is a license requirement, and it can lower the points TLC counts against you.
Job 1: a license requirement
TLC says "all TLC-licensed drivers must attend, complete and pass a Defensive Driving Course at least every three years" (TLC). Under §80-04(j)(1), both new and renewal applicants need a completion certificate issued no more than three years before the application date. Unlike TLC's other training, this one is not taken at a TLC driver education school; it must be a NYS DMV approved course. See TLC license renewal for the rest of the renewal list, and our defensive driving course guide for choosing a provider.
TLC asks for the original certificate. It accepts a temporary certificate only if it shows everything below:
Source: TLC: Defensive Driving.
Job 2: point credit
Under the Persistent Violator Program, TLC counts TLC Points and DMV points together. Before suspending or revoking, TLC "will deduct ... three DMV Points" for a driver who voluntarily completes a defensive driving course (§80-27(a)(5)). The fine print matters:
- It only counts toward points from violations within 15 months before you finish the course.
- TLC won't reduce DMV points more than once in any 18-month period.
- Timing: finish the course before a Persistent Violator summons is decided. If you finish after, the reduction counts only after you complete the suspension. If TLC has already suspended or revoked you, the course does not change that decision.
- If your driver's license is from another state, you must also give TLC a recent driving abstract from that state.
TLC Points (from TLC rule violations) are reduced by a separate Point Reduction Course, at most once every five years. DMV runs its own Point and Insurance Reduction Program for your state record; check DMV's rules for that part. Our points calculator shows the effect on your TLC total.
Frequently asked questions
How often do TLC drivers need defensive driving?
TLC says all TLC-licensed drivers must complete a Defensive Driving Course at least every three years. New and renewal applicants need a certificate issued no more than three years before the application date (§80-04(j)(1)).
Can I take it at a TLC driver education school?
TLC requires most training at a TLC Authorized Driver Education Services Provider, except the Defensive Driving Course, which must be a New York State DMV approved course (§80-04(j)).
How many points does it remove for TLC?
Under §80-27(a)(5), completing a Defensive Driving Course lets TLC deduct 3 DMV Points from your Persistent Violator count, for violations within 15 months before completion, no more than once in any 18-month period.
Does timing matter?
Yes. To count against a pending Persistent Violator summons, the course must be finished before that summons is decided. If you finish after, it reduces your points only after you serve the suspension.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- TLC: Defensive Driving nyc.gov
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 80 (§80-04, §80-27) nyc.gov
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 51 (Definitions) nyc.gov
- NY DMV: Point and Insurance Reduction Program dmv.ny.gov
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TLC Help is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission or OATH. Explanations on this site are general information, not legal advice. Legal representation is provided by independent attorneys and OATH-registered representatives in our network.