The Skip Barber Driving Academy teaches the survival skills needed to safely handle today’s challenging road conditions over the course of one full day. Using our time-tested professional techniques, everyone in the family can benefit – from the teenage driver to the more experienced enthusiast. Each course is a carefully constructed combination of classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction in an exciting variety of passenger vehicles. Participants have the time of their lives – and learn the skills that could save them!
The Skip Barber Driving Academy offers Full-Day and 5-Hour programs. Upon successful completion of the Skip Barber Driving Academy, participants are eligible for a 10% insurance discount and up to a four-point reduction off of their license.*
In order to enroll in a Skip Barber Driving Academy program participants must posses a valid driver’s license or a state-issued learner’s permit with a minimum of 30 hours of behind-the-wheel driving.
Check out how we helped The TODAY Show learn about the risks of driving while hungover.
Driving Academy Curriculum
Vehicle Dynamics: Weight transfer, tire contact patch, and “string theory”
Vision: Where, when, and why you look
Braking: ABS & threshold braking, plus the relationship between braking and turning
Skid Pad: Recognizing, correcting, and recovering from a slide
The Open Road: Following distance, lead time, and emergency lane changes
Hydroplaning: How to react and how not to react
Maintenance: The critical aspects of tire and vehicle care
Distractions: The dangers and risks of distracted driving
Autocross: A miniature racecourse that puts the entire curriculum into practice
The Scale of the Problem
AAA Northeast analyzed young driver crash data from the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research, finding 46,420 drivers between the ages of 16 and 20 were involved in crashes in New York last year — equivalent to one crash every 12 minutes.
In the United States, teenagers drive less than all but the oldest people, but the number of crash deaths are disproportionately high. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) projects that there were 39,345 traffic fatalities in 2024.
The fatal crash rate per mile driven for 16-19-year-olds is nearly 3 times the rate for drivers ages 20 and over and risk is highest at ages 16-17.
The solution: better training and the Skip Barber Driving Academy.
Point & Insurance Reduction Program
ThePoint & Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) is a New York State DMV-approved defensive driving course designed to help drivers improve their skills, reduce up to four points from their driving record, and qualify for a 10% auto insurance discount for three years. Conducted in a classroom setting, this interactive program covers essential topics such as safe driving techniques, traffic laws, accident prevention, and hazard awareness. Led by experienced instructors, the course provides real-world driving strategies to enhance road safety and promote responsible driving habits. Upon completion, drivers receive a certificate that can be submitted to their insurance provider and the NYS DMV for applicable benefits.
As an optional add-on, participants can enhance their learning experience with a Skip Barber Driving Academy session, where they will receive hands-on instruction in car control, braking techniques, and accident avoidance skills. This driving portion can be scheduled in the morning before the classroom session or in the afternoon following the classroom session, providing a full day of both practical and theoretical driver training.
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