Michigan Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC)

Benefits of Basic Driver Improvement Course in Michigan

The Michigan Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) is designed to help you:

• Prevent points from being added to your driving record
• Keep traffic violations from being reported to your insurance company
• Avoid potential insurance rate increases
• Qualify for insurance discounts (when taken voluntarily)
• Refresh your knowledge of traffic safety and defensive driving

Michigan Secretary of State Approved BDIC Providers

To benefit from the Michigan BDIC program, you must complete the course through a provider approved by the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS). Only state-approved course sponsors can report your completion to the Michigan Department of State system, ensuring you receive the proper benefits. There are numerous approved providers offering both online courses and in-person classes throughout Michigan. Per state law, sponsors can't charge more than $100 per course. Our editorial pick is I Drive Safely, an established company with a proven track record for delivering quality online defensive driving courses.

Note: Full list of BDIC Providers approved by Michigan SOS.

Eligibility Requirements

You may be eligible to take a Michigan BDIC if:

• You have a valid, non-commercial Michigan driver's license
• You received a citation for a minor traffic violation (3 points or fewer)
• You had 2 points or fewer on your driving record when the ticket was issued
• Your violation was not a criminal offense
• You have never completed a BDIC before (can only be used once in your lifetime)
• You received an eligibility notice from the Michigan Department of State
• Your ticket is on the list of eligible violations

Important Program Details

The Michigan Department of State will mail you an eligibility notice if you qualify, and you have 60 days to enroll in and complete the course. This course can only be completed once in a person's lifetime for point avoidance. The course requires a minimum of 4 hours of instruction time and includes a written final exam. Upon successful completion, the department will add the ticket to your driving record but won't post the points, and neither will be reported to your insurance agency.

What You'll Learn

The Michigan BDIC covers essential topics designed to make you a safer driver. The course consists of eight chapters that cover Michigan traffic laws and rules of the road, defensive driving strategies and tactics, as well as safe driving in a wide variety of conditions. You'll explore traffic safety principles, learn techniques for preventing collisions, and gain valuable insights into managing various driving hazards and challenging road conditions.

How it Works

1. Receive an eligibility notice from the Michigan Secretary of State (if you qualify for point dismissal); for insurance discount, contact your provider to confirm eligibility
2. Enroll in an approved online course
3. Complete the 4-hour course at your own pace within the 60-day deadline (if applicable)
4. Pass the final exam with a score of 70% or higher
5. Your course provider automatically reports completion to the Michigan SOS
6. Download your certificate for your records (if needed for insurance discount)