The person taking a defensive driving class is one who has received a traffic violation and required to attend a 4 hour class by the Municipal Court system or mandated by the State Department of Safety to take an 8 hour class to retain their license with 12 points on their license posted in one year. The 8 hour class may also be taken to lower your insurance cost by your insurance company. All younger drivers between the age of 15 and 19 should take the Alive at 25 class to improve their knowledge and understandings of the risk they face while driving or riding in a car. “Every decision has a consequence while driving or riding in a car.” This class helps younger drivers to make the right decisions.

Available Courses

Alive at 25

• Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 cause of death for people between the ages of 16 and 24 in the U.S.
• The University of Memphis is working to lower that statistic. You can too.
• Our award-winning Alive at 25 program stresses to young drivers the enormous responsibility that drivers have, the importance of making good choices, and the possible consequences of poor decisions. By making teen drivers aware of risk-taking behaviors, the Alive at 25 program helps them to make safe choices.

Defensive Driving — 4 Hours

DDC-4 (local)

U of M Defensive Driving Courses are in the Memphis area and approved by the National Safety Council for surrounding areas. (DDC-4 - local).

If you have been referred to attend a Defensive Driving Course by the Municipal Court of Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, the UofM's courses meet the requirements set forth by the Court. This 4 hour class is also good for out of state requirements for traffic violations .

This is not behind-the-wheel driving instruction. Instead, learn defensive driving skills designed to teach drivers how to avoid accidents. Students learn how to:

• Prevent all types of traffic accidents--from nicks and bumps to fatal collisions--despite adverse conditions and the actions of other drivers.
• Sharply increased awareness of traffic situations.
• Drive to avoid possible injuries, save aggravation, and stay alive.

Defensive Driving — 8 hours

DDC-8 (8 hours) is offered to drivers who have been referred by the Tennessee Department of Safety Driver Improvement and who have the option of attending a defensive driving course in lieu of suspension of driving privileges. This includes individuals whose driving record consists of moving violations and/or chargeable accidents amounting to twelve (12) or more points within a twelve-month period.