Driver Improvement Program

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What is the Driver Improvement Program (DIP)?

Safety is at the heart of everything we do at the Iowa Department of Transportation. Helping people become safer drivers is one element of this safety focus. The eight-hour Driver Improvement Program, developed in partnership with NCTI using Real Colors® personality assessment, is a way to learn or relearn the skills to help you be a safer driver.

This program will help you to:

  • Discover how attitudes affect driving behavior.
  • Understand how attitudes and emotions influence whether the driver is in control.
  • Understand techniques that help drivers avoid accidents and promote safe driving.
  • Understand the effects that drugs/alcohol have on driving ability.
  • Develop a renewed awareness of driving responsibilities. 
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Why Participate in the Program?

  • To prevent a suspension. When your record shows convictions of three countable moving violations that were committed within a 12-month period, you have been convicted of a speeding violation of 25 mph to 29 mph over the limit, or you have been convicted of a first offense of unlawfully passing a school bus, you may be required to complete the driver improvement program in lieu of a license suspension. After you have successfully completed the program, you will be on probation for one year. The completion of a driver improvement course does not clear your driving record of any entries showing violations or accidents. Your driving record will show all convictions, accidents, or suspensions during at least the last five years.
  • To receive a reduction on your auto insurance. Some insurance companies may offer incentives for taking the driver improvement program.
  • To meet a requirement of your employer. Trucking companies and other employers send their drivers to promote safety.
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Where Can I Take the Driver Improvement Program?

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School nameAddressCityPhone numberWebsite address
Des Moines Area Community College1111 E. Army Post Rd., Ste. 2004Des Moines515-256-4912https://www.dmacc.edu/
Eastern Iowa Community College101 W. Third St.Davenport563-441-4100https://www.eicc.edu/
Hawkeye Community CollegeBox 8015Waterloo319-296-4005https://www.hawkeyecollege.edu/
Indian Hills Community College525 Grandview Bldg. 6Ottumwa641-683-5182http://www.indianhills.edu/
Iowa Central Community CollegeOne Triton Cir.Fort Dodge515-574-1971http://www.iowacentral.edu/
Iowa Lakes Community College19 South 7th St.Estherville712-362-7946https://www.iowalakes.edu/
Iowa Valley Community College3702 S. Center St.Marshalltown641-844-5621https://ce.iavalley.edu/
Iowa Western Community College2700 College Rd. Box 4-CCouncil Bluffs712-325-3255https://www.iwcc.edu/
Kirkwood Community College6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SWCedar Rapids319-398-1022http://www.kirkwood.edu/
North Iowa Area Community College500 College Dr.Mason City641-422-4332https://www.niacc.edu/
Northeast Iowa Community College1625 HWY 150 S, P.O. Box 400Calmar563-562-3263https://www.nicc.edu/
Northeast Iowa Community CollegeDubuque Center, 700 Main St.Dubuque563-557-8271https://www.nicc.edu/
Northwest Iowa Community College603 W. Park St.Sheldon712-324-5061https://nwicc.edu/
Southeastern Community College1500 W. Agency Rd., P.O. Box 180West Burlington319-208-5375https://www.scciowa.edu/
Southwestern Community College1501 W. TownlineCreston641-782-1424https://www.swcciowa.edu
Western Iowa Tech Community College4647Stone Ave. Box 5199Sioux City712-274-8733https://www.witcc.edu/index.cfm
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Alive at 25

Alive at 25 is a highly effective four-hour course that serves as an excellent complement to standard driver education programs. Participants in the Alive at 25 class will learn the negative effects and dangers associated with speeding, distractions, peer pressure, and driver inexperience.  

Topics discussed include, but are not limited to, current state laws related to speeding, impaired driving, seatbelt usage, and cell phone use to include texting.

Iowa teen drivers who receive a second violation on their intermediate license will receive an Iowa DOT suspension notice that provides information on registration for the 4-hour Alive at 25 education course offered by the Iowa Illinois Safety Council. The Alive at 25 course is not mandatory and drivers are able to proceed with the suspension if desired. 

Please contact drivered.report@iowadot.us for additional information on the Alive at 25 course. 

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