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Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) sponsor

BDIC overview

The Michigan Department of State will contact drivers who are eligible to enroll in the Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC). Those who are eligible have 60 days to enroll in, complete, and pass the course. Upon passing, the department won’t make the points or information from the ticket available to insurance companies for drivers who take and pass the BDIC through an approved course sponsor. Approved course sponsors must report results to the Michigan Department of State whether a driver passes or fails the course.

BDIC courses must meet the following conditions:

  • Meets or exceeds the curriculum standards set forth in the Defensive Driving Course Instructor Manual, Eighth Edition, published by the National Safety Council
  • Provides documented evidence from a federal, state, or local government agency of course effectiveness in reducing collisions, moving violations, or both
  • Includes no fewer than 4 hours of instruction
  • Contains other information as approved by the Secretary of State, with or without supporting DVD material, and may be offered over the internet or through classroom instruction

A list of approved sponsors is available through e-Services under Driver Education and Testing Businesses, located in the Business Services section.

Go to e-Services

BDIC sponsor application process

  1. To become to an approved Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) sponsor:
  • Mail the following forms to the Michigan Department of State Driver Education & Testing Section (the mailing address is on the Original Application for Basic Driver Improvement Course)
  • Original Application for Basic Driver Improvement Course form (must be completed and signed)
  • A BDIC Sponsor Surety Bond form (must be completed by an approved insurance company)
  • A BDIC Sponsor Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Application

Application for BDIC Sponsor

BDIC Sponsor Surety Bond form

BDIC Sponsor EFT Application

 

  1. Each BDIC Sponsor is required to define the type of chosen deliver method for instruction as either online or in person in a classroom:
  • For BDIC online instruction, submit the following items (Please note: DVDs, CDs, thumb drives, flash drives, or files on a cloud server cannot be accessed by department staff):
  • The student username login credentials and the portal or URL; to allow the Driver Education & Testing staff an opportunity to review the functionality, materials, and instruction that will be provided online.
  • A PowerPoint presentation of the online course as a written record of the proposed online course curriculum and materials. Email the PowerPoint presentation to DriverEd@Michigan.gov.
  • Written approval from the National Safety Council (NSC) granting you or your business entity permission to use their Defensive Driving Course curriculum or course.

Note: If you or your business entity is seeking approval of an alternative curriculum, you must submit a curriculum that meets or exceeds the curriculum standards set forth in the Defensive Driving Course Instructor Manual, 8th edition, published by the NSC. A completed BDIC Curriculum Crosswalk is required to demonstrate that the alternative curriculum meets or exceeds the curriculum standards of the NSC's Defensive Driving Course Instructor Manual, 8th edition.

  • Documented evidence from a federal, state, or local government agency must be provided showing course effectiveness in reducing collisions, moving violations, or both.
  • The course must contain four or more hours of instruction.

  1. For BDIC in-person classroom instruction, submit these items:
  • A PowerPoint presentation as a written record of the proposed course curriculum and materials. Email the PowerPoint presentation to DriverEd@Michigan.gov.
  • Written approval from the National Safety Council (NSC) granting you or your business entity permission to use their Defensive Driving Course curriculum or course.
  • If you or your business entity is not authorized to use the NSC, Defensive Driving Course; then you must submit a curriculum that meets or exceeds the curriculum standards set forth in the Defensive Driving Course Instructor Manual, 8th edition, published by the NSC.
  • You must provide documentation from a federal, state, or local government agency providing evidence in the course's effectiveness in reducing collisions, moving violations, or both.
  • The course must contain four or more hours of instruction.

  1. Once you have been preliminarily approved, you will receive a letter from the Michigan Department of State giving you specific directions on how to create a e-Services BDIC sponsor account and how to add additional user accounts as needed.

Correct BDIC sponsor account

To change or correct the information on your BDIC sponsor account, complete the BDIC Sponsor Account Change Request Form and provide all necessary documentation as directed.

BDIC Sponsor Account Change Request Form

Administrative actions

The Michigan Department of State enters into a Memorandum of Understanding (Agreement) with a Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) sponsor, as authorized by the Michigan Vehicle Code (Public Act 300 of 1949). If the department determines a BDIC sponsor has failed to comply with any requirements under section 320d [MCL 257.320d], MDOS may suspend or revoke the approval of the sponsor, or take other actions as prescribed in the law.

Any complaints against a BDIC sponsor should be in writing and sent to MDOS by mail, fax, or email.

Contact information

Michigan Department of State
Driver Education and Testing Section
430 West Allegan Street, 3rd Floor
Lansing, Michigan 48918

Driver Education email: DriverEd@Michigan.gov

Phone: 517-241-6850
Fax: 517-335-3155

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