Driver Improvement Program

DRIVER IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

A Driver Improvement Program or Clinic provides a 6-hour defensive driving course approved by Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) for the purpose of teaching drivers about safe driving attitudes and behaviors and rehabilitating problem drivers. This course may be taken:

  • if court-ordered,
  • for points reduction,
  • to reinstate driver's license,
  • to reduce insurance premiums, or
  • for personal education. 

WHO CAN BECOME A DRIVER IMPROVEMENT CLINIC OWNER

Any person, partnership, limited liability corporation, or corporation giving driver safety instruction to assist drivers with satisfying requirements related to maintaining or regaining a driver’s license or driving privileges in this state. 

If you are interested in opening or operating a Driver Improvement Clinic, you will be subjected to the following rules and regulations:

Driver Improvement Rules and Regulations

DRIVER IMPROVEMENT CLINIC OWNER REQUIREMENTS

  • Completed Driver Improvement Clinic Application.
  • All applicants, including owners, partners, corporate officers and/or controlling stockholders, are required to complete the GAPS fingerprinting requirement for a national and state fingerprint based criminal background check.
  • All applicants including owners, partners, corporate officers and/or controlling stockholders must obtain and submit a certified Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) from each state in which they were licensed in the past 5 years except Georgia.
  • All applicants must submit a photocopy of their diploma and/or official transcript.  A minimum of a high school diploma or GED is required.
  • $200 non-refundable application fee.
  • Surety Bond with a principal sum of $10,000 for each location and Georgia Department of Driver Services as the oblige.
  • Fire Code Inspection Report completed by the local fire marshal or agent (report cannot be over 90 days old).
  • Copy of Unexpired Business License.
  • Certificate of Incorporation from the Secretary of State or a Trade Name form from local County Clerk showing registration of Doing Business as Name (DBA).
  • Clinic Certificate from one of the following DDS-approved Curriculum Providers:
    • American Safety Council (ASC)
    • Driving Educators of Georgia (DEOG)
    • Georgia Association for Risk Reduction & Defensive Driver Education (GARDE)
    • National Safety Council (NSC)
    • American Automobile Association (AAA)
    • The Roadway Safety Network (TRSN)
    • DriveABILITY
    • Driver Impact Project (DIP)

HOW TO APPLY

  1. Register for your criminal background check through the  Download this pdf file. Georgia Applicant Processing System .
  2. Please submit your Download this pdf file. application packet by mail, along with fees and all supporting documents to the following:

         Georgia Department of Driver Services
         Attn: Regulatory Compliance 
         2206 East View Parkway
         Conyers, GA 30013

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please complete the application packet in its entirety to enable us to complete the process in a timely manner.  It is advisable when mailing to use certified or mailing that can be tracked.  Our goal is to complete processing of your application within 30 business days.  Once the application and supporting documentation are received, we will contact you within 7-10 business days.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION