Defensive Driving
vs Traffic Safety School

Choosing the correct driving course is crucial, as Traffic Survival School (TSS) and Defensive Driving School (DDS) serve very different purposes. Use this guide to determine if you need to enroll in our TSS program.

TSS is required when you have been ordered by the court to attend an 8-hour course or you have received a Corrective Action Notice (CAN) from the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) indicating your license is suspended or will be suspended. (See an example CAN here.) It is a mandatory measure, whereas DDS is typically a diversion program you choose to attend to avoid points.

You must attend TSS if:

• You received a CAN from ADOT and/or the Arizona Chapter of the National Safety Council (ACNSC).
• You received a red light violation and paid the ticket instead of attending DDS.
• You received a violation under the age of 18 and paid the ticket instead of attending DDS.
• You have accumulated 8–12 points on your driver’s license.
• You were cited for serious violations like aggressive driving, moving violations resulting in death or serious injury, DUI, or wrong-way driving.
• You were ordered by the court to attend TSS (you must bring your court paperwork).
• You received a ticket out of state and that state requires you to complete a class longer than 4.5 hours.

Important Differences:

• Purpose: TSS is a requirement to reinstate a suspended or revoked driver’s license, or for pending suspension of a driver’s license, and for certain traffic violations. DDS is typically optional for the dismissal of eligible civil traffic offenses.
• Course Length: TSS is an 8-hour class. DDS is a 4.5-hour class.
• Course Format: TSS is only available in a classroom setting. DDS is available in classroom settings and online.

If you have received a Corrective Action Notice (CAN) from the state or have been court-ordered to attend, you must enroll in Traffic Survival School (TSS). You will have 60 days to take the class after MVD assigns you, or your driver’s license may be suspended. You cannot use DDS to satisfy a TSS requirement. You should enroll in DDS only if you are eligible and choosing to attend it to avoid points for a civil moving violation. 

For defensive driving, you can register using the link here.