Last Updated 22nd of February, 2010

What requirements must defensive driving instructors meet?

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You can expect to complete a traffic school instructor application, present applicable documents (such as proof of citizenship) and pay any applicable fees, as well as the state to require that you’ve held a driver’s license in the license class you want to teach. Some states require that you’ve held this license for a certain number of years.

You should also expect officials to ask you about your criminal (any misdemeanors? felonies?) and driving (how about suspensions or revocations?) histories, or ask for a background check.

Aside from those requirements, most states require folks who want to teach defensive driving courses to have a high school education (or equivalent), take a training course of their own, and possibly pass a written and/or driving exam. Every state requires applicants to be at least 18 years old, but some states have an older minimum age. Also, a few states require physical exams.

NOTE: The grid only lists the requirements for driving instructors in states that consider traffic school attendance for the purposes of point reduction, ticket dismissal or reduction, or court-ordered penalties for any traffic violations.

Age GED/Diploma Physical Min. Years Driving Training/Exams
Alabama Each county manages its own traffic school system and regulations. Contact county officials.
Alaska
x
x
x
Arizona
x
x
Arkansas Not an option.
California
x
x
Colorado Not an option.
Connecticut Not an option.
Delaware
x
x
Florida
x
x
Georgia
x
x
Submit training from ASC, DEOG, GARDE, NSC, or USA/Gerogia.
Hawaii Not an option.
Idaho
x
x
Illinois
x
x
Indiana
x
x
Iowa
x
x
Kansas
x
x
Kentucky
x
x
For more in-depth details, call the KY State Traffic School Program at (502) 564-6800.
Louisiana Because the courts determine traffic school matters, you should contact your local officials or a traffic school in your area.
Maine Handled entirely by Maine’s Risk Management Division. Call (800) 525-1252 for details.
Maryland Not an option.
Massachusetts Not an option.
Michigan
x
x
Minnesota Not an option.
Mississippi
x
x
Missouri
x
x
You must be approved by the Missouri Safety Center. Call (800) 801-3588 for more details.
Montana Not an option.
Nebraska
x
x
Nevada
x
x
New Hampshire
x
x
x
x
New Jersey Not an option.
New Mexico
x
x
x
New York
x
x
x
North Carolina
x
x
For more specific details, contact the DOT's Driver Improvement Clinic division at (919) 715-7000.
North Dakota
x
x
The DOT approves driving instructors from Safer Driving, the NSC, the NDNSC, and AARP. Please contact an agency for more details.
Ohio
x
x
x
Oklahoma
x
x
For more specific details, call the OK Safety Council at (800) 580-7238.
Oregon Not an option.
Pennsylvania Because traffic schools aren’t regulated by the DOT and are only ordered on a case-by-case basis, you must contact a local school for details.
Rhode Island Because traffic schools aren’t regulated by the DMV and are only ordered on a case-by-case basis, you must contact a local school for details.
South Carolina
x
x
x
The SCNSC oversees instructor training and mandates different different requirements for instructors of each driving course. Call (800) 733-6185 for details.
South Dakota Not an option.
Tennessee
x
x
Texas
x
x
Regulated by the Texas Education Agency. Call (512) 463-9734 for more details.
Utah Because each jurisdiction determine traffic school matters, you should contact your local officials or a traffic school in your area.
Vermont Not an option.
Virginia
x
x
x
Washington The state doesn't regulat traffic school matters; contact a local traffic school for further assistance.
West Virginia
x
x
Wisconsin
x
x
Wyoming Because the courts determine traffic school matters, you should contact your local officials or a traffic school in your area.
Washington DC
x
x

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