The Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) is a DMV-approved course designed to teach motorists critical information about Highway Safety and Accident Prevention.  The course, although commonly known as “PIRP,” is also known by several different names, including

• Motor Vehicle Accident Prevention Course
• 6-hour Defensive Driving Course

Motorists who complete the course get a discount on their automobile insurance, and can “reduce” up to four points from their driving record.

Sponsors are organizations that DMV has approved to provide their own PIRP course. Sponsors are responsible for approving their delivery agencies, instructors, and classrooms.

To become a Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) sponsor, your organization must submit a Classroom Sponsoring Agency Application (PDF) (DTP-301) to DMV. Be sure to include all supporting documentation to show that you meet the requirements shown in Commissioner’s Regulations Part 138 (PDF). This includes

• the name of the organization 
• names and addresses of all owners, operators, managers, partners, officers, and directors in the agency/organization (including any/all names by which any have been known)
• proof that your business is filed with the New York Department of State
• proof of your business structure (partnership, corporation, LLC, etc.)
• proof that you have Worker’s Compensation and Disability Benefits Insurance coverage
• the title or name of the course
• proof of your ownership of the course
• proof that the course is effective (see Commissioner’s Regulations Part 138, Section 138.4{e}{5} for details)
• a copy of your course, complete with all instructor manuals, workbooks, and media to be used

You must also:

• provide for DMV’s approval, a sample course completion certificate (which is designed to prevent fraud and forgery) to be submitted to insurance companies.
• have a system of record keeping that is compatible with DMV’s requirements for data entry of course completion information.
• establish and maintain appropriate lines of communication with DMV to provide efficient and effective administration of the course.
• keep an office in New York State for the operation and supervision of your course, to provide customer assistance, and to keep program records. This office must be open to DMV inspection during normal business hours, or by appointment convenient to DMV.
• submit with your application copies of all written policies and procedures related to the administration of the program.
• provide required documentation of your organization's structure. This includes proof that your organization is authorized to do business in New York and your locality.
• establish a License Event Notification Service (LENS) account with DMV. The LENS service will monitor the driving records of your instructors, to ensure all instructors are qualified at all times to teach the accident prevention course.  

The course must include a minimum of 320 minutes of instruction with a certified instructor present (plus at least one 30-minute break if the course is given in one day). The course must address these topics:

• the concept of collision prevention, including a discussion of the factors involved in traffic situations
• alcohol and drug use as a contributing factor in motor vehicle collisions
• accident prevention techniques
• the use of occupant restraints
• the risk factors involved in driver attitude and behavior such as speeding, reckless and aggressive driving, and improper lane use
• traffic laws in New York State
• the physical and mental condition of drivers
• conditions and strategies for driving
• city versus suburban driving and rural versus expressway driving

Your course must use up-to-date audio/visual aids such as films, slides, and videotapes/media which cannot take up more than 25% of the presentation time.

Your proposed course must meet all of the requirements established in Commissioner’s Regulations Part 138, Section 138.4{d} (Course Approval). 

With your application, submit a full description of the instructor training course, including the number of hours and a copy of the curriculum. You must provide a minimum of 6 hours of instructor training programs to each instructor at least every two years. Your training program must address teaching methodologies and psychology of learning, and a discussion of all applicable laws, regulations, and policies. Your instructors must demonstrate their teaching abilities in this training. You must provide DMV with a description of the minimum qualifications of all managers and instructors you will hire or approve to administer or teach your course.

Provide each instructor with an instructor's manual and provide student workbooks and/or manuals for each course participant. Workbooks must prominently display your agency’s name and telephone number. At the beginning of each course, PIRP delivery agencies and instructors must provide every student with a Departmental Statement (C-32A) explaining the benefits of point and insurance reduction. 

Delivery Agencies

A delivery agency is a business that a sponsor approves to provide their DMV-approved PIRP course.  Delivery agencies must have at least one qualified instructor and an approved classroom facility. The course must be delivered according to the approved curriculum. The delivery agency is required to provide the sponsor with a schedule of classes at least 30 days in advance and a roster of all students completing the course. 

Instructors

An instructor is a person who works for a delivery agency and is approved by the sponsor to teach their DMV-approved PIRP course.  A PIRP instructor must

• be at least 19 years of age
• have a high school graduate (or GED)
• have a valid license (may be out of state) with 3 years of licensed driving experience
• not have had a license suspended or revoked within the past 5 years
• not have been convicted of an alcohol-related offense within the past 7 years
• not have been convicted of a felony for violence, dishonesty, degeneracy, moral turpitude, deceit, fraud, theft, forgery, rape, perjury, or bribery within the past 10 years

If you are interested in becoming a delivery agency or an instructor, you must contact one of the approved sponsors for the classroom course or the online or alternate delivery method (I-PIRP/ADM) course.