The Court offers an 8-hour Defensive Driving Program sanctioned by the National Safety Council. The Court personnel teach the class two successive Mondays from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Participants may be voluntary or Court-ordered.

(1) Voluntary Participants/Individuals with a minor misdemeanor traffic offense.

In an effort to make our community a safer place, the Elyria Municipal Court offers a Defensive Driving Program. Upon completion of the National Safety Council's Defensive Driving Course as taught by Court personnel, payment of all Court costs, including the tuition costs for the course, the charge will be dismissed, and you will not receive points on your driver's license.

(2) Court-ordered Participants

Individuals who have been found guilty of a reduced charge on an OVI may be Court-ordered to serve three days in jail. Those individuals will likely be given an opportunity to successfully complete the Program in lieu of serving the three days. Upon completion of the National Safety Council's Defensive Driving Course, payment of all Court costs, including the tuition costs for this course, the individual will receive credit for the three days in jail.

CAUTION: There are a large number of online companies offering to get your ticket dismissed if you complete their program, websites such as GO TO TRAFFIC SCHOOL.COM. These sites are not recognized by this court, and the certificates they offer are also not recognized by this court and will not be honored. For more information on valid schools and methods for completing the Defensive Driver Program, please call the court.