pUBLIC SAFETY INNOVATION CENTER
Defensive Driving
If you have been charged with a minor traffic violation in the 25th Judicial District (Burke, Caldwell or Catawba counties) you may elect to have it reduced by the District Attorney, James C. Gaither, Jr., by completing a 4-hour Defensive Driving Course. This program is made available by the District Attorney through Catawba Valley Community College and the Safety and Health Council of North Carolina to train motorists in the principles of defensive driving. If this course is completed and the information is presented to the Clerk of Court's office for payment no later than (5) working days before your scheduled court date, there will be NO Insurance Points, NO Drivers License Points and NO Court Appearance. Your case will NOT be continued.
CVCC offers a 4-hour Defensive Driving class on Tuesday nights from 6pm-10pm, Thursday nights from 6pm - 10pm, Saturday mornings from 8:30am - 12:30pm and also the 1st and 3rd Wednesday morning of each month from 9am - 1pm. The program cost $50 (any form of payment is accepted) and you must pay that when you come in to register or you can mail your money with your registration form for out-of-town residents. Please be sure to bring your ticket, driver's license and the $50 when you come to register. You only have to take 1-four hour class. YOU MUST BE PRE-REGISTERED AT LEAST 1 DAY BEFORE A WEEKDAY CLASS AND 2 DAYS PRE-REGISTERED FOR A SATURDAY CLASS.
The Alive @ 25 Program is held on Saturdays from 9am - 1pm. Students must be registered no later than the Thursday prior to the Saturday class they want. The Alive @ 25 Program is for any student who received a citation in Catawba, Caldwell, Burke, Lincoln or Gaston County and are between the ages of 16 - 21 years of age. Also, any student who goes to a high school EXCEPT Alexander County, Catawba County, Newton-Conover City Schools or Hickory City Schools must present a dual enrollment form either when they register or the day of the class. If this form is not turned in at registration the student may take the class but will not receive a certificate until the form is turned in.
Once you take the 4-hour Defensive Driving program you will receive in the classroom an envelope that has a certificate showing you completed the program and also an improper equipment form. You will need to present this paperwork to the courthouse BEFORE your court date. Once you turn this paperwork in you will still be responsible for paying the ticket which is a $50 fine for improper equipment and $130 court cost, which totals to $180. But as long as you pay the ticket after the class and before the court date you will NOT have to go to court and you will have no points on your insurance or your driver's license. **Please note that the courthouse accepts only cash, certified check or money order when paying for the ticket.
We are open from 8am - 8pm, Monday through Thursday and we are located at the East Campus, which is behind Northern Tool and right beside Skateland. Please be sure to bring your ticket, your driver's license and $50.00 when you come to register. If you have any questions please let me know at ctoney@cvcc.edu or 828-327-7037.
You can mail this information at CVCC, Attn: Cheri Toney, 2550 Hwy. 70 SE, Hickory, NC 28602.
To print a registration form click here.
