Suffolk County Traffic and Parking Violation Agency (TPVA) Driver Safety Program Frequently Asked Questions

Usually a class is assigned as part of a plea bargain. While it may not be mandatory, your plea bargain is contingent upon you successfully completing the class by the judge-assigned deadline date and will be rescinded if you don’t.

Length of class varies by course assignment:

Defensive Driving Class (DDC4)

The class is 4 hours in length. The program is based on proven defensive driving techniques and collision prevention strategies.  Improving driving behaviors and decisions to avoid collisions and decrease traffic violations.

Alive at 25 Class (AL25)

The class is 4 hours in length. The program helps young drivers under the age of 25 to take greater responsibility for their driving by focusing on behavior, judgement and decision-making.  Alive at 25 is a highly interactive program that teaches young adults how to make safe, respectful and legal driving decisions.

Attitudinal Dynamics of Driving Program (8ADD)

The class is 8 hours in length. The program is aimed at changing behavior behind the wheel. Through this course, drivers learn why they continue to have driving related problems and how they can take responsibility for their actions.  With its proven effectiveness, this course demonstrates the direct connection between attitude and choice and the potential results of poor driving conduct.

Your referral / referral form from the TPVA judge or prosecutor in court indicates your driver safety course assignment. Note: National Safety Council is not responsible for drivers completing the wrong course. Please be sure to register for the correct course as indicated on your referral form.

Yes, you may have multiple referrals from Suffolk County TPVA to complete a (same or different) driver safety course. Each class completion will satisfy one TPVA referral. If you have multiple referrals, you will need to register for and complete a separate class for each one.

Classes have limited space and fill quickly. You must register for class within 48 hours of receiving your referral, and your driver safety course MUST be completed by the judge-assigned course completion deadline date as indicated on your referral form.

Register online now: Suffolk County TPVA Registration Website

Cost varies depending on the driver safety course you have been assigned:

• 4-Hour Alive at 25 (AL25) – $90
• 4-Hour Defensive Driving Couse (DDC4) – $90
• 8-Hour Attitudinal Dynamics of Driving Program (8ADD) – $165

All fees are non-refundable, payable by credit/debit card upon course registration.

Immediately after you register, a class confirmation will be sent to you via email at the address you provided during registration. Please review the confirmation carefully, it contains important details needed for the day of class.

To print or resend your confirmation visit Suffolk County TPVA Registration Website

If you are required to complete the Alive at 25 program, a parent/guardian MUST attend the full duration of the class with you.  You will not be admitted to the class without a parent/guardian.

Please arrive 15 minutes early to sign in for your registered class. You must arrive on time. If you arrive after the class has begun, you will not be admitted. You must bring your Class Code Number shown on your confirmation email and a form of photo identification to class. Examples of acceptable photo identification include your learner’s permit, driver’s license, a work or school-issued photo identification, or a government-issued photo identification card. If you are unable to provide photo identification, you will not be admitted to class.

Yes. Your safety as well as the safety of everyone in the classroom is our greatest concern. Please review our classroom training guidelines so you know what to expect on the day of the class.

Classroom Training Guidelines 

Yes, successfully completing any of the Suffolk County TPVA driver safety courses requires passing a test.

Immediately following the successful completion of your assigned driver safety course, you will receive a certificate. You may be required to provide the certificate to the court as proof that you have passed the class. Please refer to the court for specific direction.

If you do not complete the course assigned to you within the required timeframe, your plea bargain will be rescinded.

Once you register for a class, you cannot reschedule your class without permission from the Court. If you fail to appear on your scheduled class date, you will be prohibited from continuing in the program.  Once registered all fees are non-refundable.

All of our classes are in English, unless otherwise noted. Drivers requiring special assistance (including translation) should bring a friend or family member to support you during the class. The person must be over the age of 18 and provide proper identification. Due to classroom capacity, please contact National Safety Council at [email protected] right away to reserve an additional seat if you plan to have someone attend with you. If you do not reserve a seat for your guest prior to class, you may be asked to leave (depending on classroom capacity).

National Safety Council can make arrangements for the hearing impaired. If you require such services, please contact us at [email protected] prior to registering for class.

In the event of a weather-related or other emergency cancellation, National Safety Council will contact you at the telephone number and email address you provided during the registration process. The facility hosting the class will be notified and a sign may be posted. We will work with the instructor and facility to reschedule the class to a new date and time. If you are unsure if your class has been canceled due to weather, please contact the National Safety Council. Please note, neither NSC nor Suffolk County TPVA is responsible for any course that does not get completed by the judge-required deadline due to a weather-related or other emergency cancellation.

No, no one will be admitted with children.

National Safety Council is committed to providing a positive and respectful learning environment. Our Code of Conduct outlines expectations of behavior during our classes. The Code of Conduct can be found here in English and Spanish.

National Safety Council is America’s leading nonprofit safety advocate – and has been for over 100 years. As a mission-based organization, we focus on eliminating the leading causes of preventable death so people can live their fullest lives. We focus our efforts where we can make the greatest impact: workplace, roadway and impairment.

Contact Us

Web: www.drivesafe.com/suffolk
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (866) 794-4286

National Safety Council
Attn: Suffolk County Driver Safety Team
200 Salina Meadows Pkwy, Suite 200
Syracuse, NY 13212

Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:45 PM