Driver Improvement Program

Certified Providers

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Driver Improvement Overview

A Driver Improvement Program or Clinic offers a 6-hour defensive driving course, approved by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), aimed at educating drivers on safe driving attitudes and behaviors while rehabilitating problem drivers. This course can be taken:

  • If court-ordered
  • For points reduction
  • To reinstate a driver’s license
  • To reduce insurance premiums
  • For personal education

Individuals interested in becoming a certified Driver Improvement Program or Instructor will be subjected to the following rules and regulations:

  • Becoming a Driver Improvement Clinic Owner

    Who Can Become a Driver Improvement Clinic Owner?

    Any individual, partnership, limited liability corporation, or corporation providing driver safety instruction to help drivers meet requirements for maintaining or regaining a driver’s license or driving privileges in Georgia is eligible.

    Requirements

    Review the requirements listed below. You can find documents and forms at the bottom of this page that you may need.

    • Completed Driver Improvement Clinic Application
    • All applicants (owners, partners, corporate officers, and/or controlling stockholders) must:
      • Complete the GAPS fingerprinting requirement for a national and state criminal background check
      • Submit a certified Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) from each state (except Georgia) where they were licensed in the past 5 years
      • Provide a photocopy of a high school diploma, GED, or official transcript
    • $200 non-refundable application fee
    • Surety Bond with a $10,000 principal sum for each location, naming the Georgia DDS as the obligee
    • Fire Code Inspection Report (completed by the local fire marshal or agent, not over 90 days old)
    • Copy of an unexpired Business License
    • Certificate of Incorporation from the Secretary of State or a Trade Name form from the local County Clerk showing registration of Doing Business As (DBA)
    • Clinic Certificate from one of these 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 (GAPS) .
    2. To be considered for certification, please submit your information and required supporting documentation online by completing this application.  All required supporting documents must be attached to the application online before it is submitted.  Paper applications are no longer accepted

    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 completely process your application within 30 business days. Once the application and supporting documentation are received, we will contact you within 7-10 business days.

  • Recertification for Driver Improvement Clinics

    Overview

    The Driver Improvement Clinic certification is issued for a period of up to four (4) years. Clinic owner(s) should apply for recertification within 60-90 days of expiration.

    Requirements

    Review the requirements listed below. You can find documents and forms at the bottom of this page that you may need.

    • Completed Program Recertification Application
    • All applicants (owners, partners, corporate officers, and/or controlling stockholders) must:
      • Complete GAPS fingerprinting for a national and state criminal background check
      • Submit a certified MVR from each state (except Georgia) where they were licensed in the past 5 years
    • Continuation or Verification certificate for the Surety Bond currently on file
    • $100 non-refundable application fee
    • Clinic Certificate from one of these 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 (GAPS) .
    2. To be considered for recertification, please submit your information and required supporting documentation online by completing this application.  All required supporting documents must be attached to the application online before it is submitted.  Paper applications are no longer accepted

    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 completely process your application within 30 business days. Once the application and supporting documentation are received, we will contact you within 7-10 business days.

  • Becoming a Driver Improvement Instructor

    Who Can Become a Driver Improvement Instructor?

    Any individual employed by a Driver Improvement Clinic or operating independently, certified by the DDS to provide instruction under the “Georgia Driver Improvement Act,” is eligible.

    Driver Improvement Instructor Requirements

    Review the requirements listed below. You can find documents and forms at the bottom of this page that you may need.

    • Completed New Instructor Application
    • $100 non-refundable application fee
    • National and state fingerprint-based criminal background check
    • Certified MVR from each state (except Georgia) where licensed in the past 5 years
    • Copy of a high school diploma, GED, or transcript
    • Instructor Certificate from a DDS-approved Curriculum Provider (listed above)

    How to Apply

    1. Register for your criminal background check through the Download this pdf file. Georgia Applicant Processing System (GAPS) .
    2. To be considered for certification, please submit your information and required supporting documentation online by completing this application.  All required supporting documents must be attached to the application online before it is submitted.  Paper applications are no longer accepted

    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 completely process your application within 30 business days. Once the application and supporting documentation are received, we will contact you within 7-10 business days.

  • Recertification for Driver Improvement Instructors

    Overview

    Driver Improvement Instructor certification is issued for a period of up to four (4) years. Instructors should apply for recertification within 60-90 days of expiration.

    Requirements

    Review the requirements listed below. You can find documents and forms at the bottom of this page that you may need.

    • Completed Instructor/Examiner Recertification Application
    • Complete GAPS fingerprinting for a national and state criminal background check
    • Certified MVR from each state (except Georgia) where licensed in the past 5 years
    • $50 non-refundable application fee
    • Unexpired Instructor Certificate from one of these 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 (GAPS) .
    2. To be considered for recertification, please submit your information and required supporting documentation online by completing this application.  All required supporting documents must be attached to the application online before it is submitted.  Paper applications are no longer accepted

    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 completely process your application within 30 business days. Once the application and supporting documentation are received, we will contact you within 7-10 business days.

Program & Instructor Application Status

Visit our online status checker to easily track the application status for your Program and/or Instructor.

Check Status

Driver Improvement Additional Information

A list of links relevant to Driver Improvement sites and their Examiners.

  • Program/Instructor Application Status

    Check the status of your existing program or instructor application online through our eServices portal.

  • Certified Driver Improvement Clinics (Schools)

    A list of Georgia DDS-certified Driver Improvement Schools for residents, including their locations and contact details.

  • New Program Application

    Application form for individuals or entities seeking to establish a new program under the Georgia DDS, requiring detailed information and supporting documentation for certification.

  • Program Recertification Application

    Application for renewing certification of an existing program under the Georgia DDS, requiring updated information and compliance verification.

  • New Instructor Application

    Application for individuals seeking certification as a new instructor under the Georgia DDS, requiring personal details, qualifications, and supporting documents.

  • Instructor Recertification Application

    Application for renewing an instructor's certification with the Georgia DDS, requiring proof of continued eligibility and compliance with program standards.