Iowa Driver Improvement Program
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.
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 (habitual violator), you have been convicted of a speeding violation of 25 mph to 29 mph over the limit (serious violation), 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.
Where can I take the driver improvement program?