CR-138 Form: DMV Commissioner Regulations Part 138 (PDF)

CR-138 Form – The CR-138 Form is the official New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) publication of Commissioner’s Regulations Part 138. This 20-page PDF details the rules for approving and operating Motor Vehicle Accident Prevention Courses—commonly known as the 6-hour defensive driving course or Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP). Drivers who complete an approved course can reduce up to four points on their driving record and qualify for an auto insurance premium discount.

Organizations seeking to sponsor or deliver these courses must follow every requirement in the CR-138 PDF to gain DMV approval. The document remains the current official source, with its last revision dated January 2014 (CR-138 1/14) and no updates noted on the DMV website as of 2026.

Download the official CR-138 Form PDF here (direct link from the New York DMV).

What Is the CR-138 Form?

The CR-138 Form is not a driver application but the complete text of Part 138 of the Commissioner’s Regulations under Title 15 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations. Titled “Motor Vehicle Accident Prevention Course,” it was repealed and replaced effective May 31, 2000. The regulations establish minimum standards for course content, instructor qualifications, classroom facilities, record-keeping, advertising, and monitoring to ensure courses actually reduce crashes, injuries, and insurance claims.

Any organization that wants DMV approval to offer point-reduction and insurance-discount courses in New York must comply with every section of this document.

Purpose of DMV Commissioner Regulations Part 138

Part 138 exists to standardize high-quality defensive driving training across New York State. Approved courses must:

Deliver at least 320 minutes of active instruction (plus breaks)
Cover collision prevention, alcohol/drug effects, seat-belt use, risk behaviors, traffic laws, and driver conditions
Use audio/visual aids for no more than 25% of class time
Prove effectiveness through statistical research showing reduced convictions or crashes

The goal is to lower highway fatalities, injuries, and property damage while giving drivers tangible benefits: up to 4-point reduction and a 10% insurance discount for three years (per New York Insurance Law §2336).

Who Needs the CR-138 PDF?

Potential sponsors — organizations that want to own and approve a PIRP course
Delivery agencies — businesses that actually teach the course under a sponsor
Instructors — anyone planning to teach the 6-hour course
Insurance companies, driving schools, and fleet operators — anyone referencing point-reduction program rules
Drivers — those researching approved courses before enrolling

If you plan to offer, teach, or verify compliance with New York’s defensive driving program, the CR-138 Form is required reading.

Key Benefits of Approved Motor Vehicle Accident Prevention Courses

Drivers who finish a Part 138-approved course receive:

Up to 4 points removed from their New York driving record
A 10% reduction on liability and collision insurance premiums for three years
Valuable safety knowledge that helps avoid future violations and crashes

Sponsors and delivery agencies gain the right to issue official completion certificates that the DMV accepts electronically.

Overview of Key Sections in Part 138 Regulations

The CR-138 PDF organizes requirements into 13 clear sections:

138.1–138.2: Introduction and definitions (sponsoring agency, delivery agency, instructor, completion certificate)
138.3: Point-reduction benefits and the $2 administrative fee per student
138.4: Course approval criteria, including mandatory effectiveness research and curriculum standards
138.5: Sponsoring agency approval and five-year renewal process
138.6: Delivery agency requirements
138.7: Instructor qualifications (age, experience, clean driving record, training)
138.8: Classroom facility standards (ADA-compliant, minimum space, no bars or homes)
138.9: Suspension/revocation procedures and appeals
138.10–138.11: Administration, record-keeping (3-year retention), and fraud prevention
138.12: DMV monitoring and instructor workshops
138.13: Strict advertising rules (no false claims, must state “6-hour course”)

Every section includes specific compliance steps that DMV auditors check during site visits.

Requirements for Course Approval Under CR-138

To win approval, a proposed course must:

Have been offered for at least two years with proven results
Include research on at least 3,000 students showing statistically significant crash or conviction reductions
Use only DMV-approved instructors and facilities
Maintain secure, fraud-resistant completion certificates
Submit electronic completion data to the DMV within 60 days

Sponsors must also maintain a New York office open for unannounced inspections and monitor instructors through the DMV’s LENS system.

Download the CR-138 PDF and the Classroom Sponsoring Agency Application (DTP-301).
Gather proof of course ownership, effectiveness research, instructor training plans, and business documents.
Submit the complete package to Driver Training Programs at the New York DMV in Albany.
Pass review and a two-year probationary period before full five-year approval.

Delivery agencies work under an already-approved sponsor and must provide qualified instructors and compliant classrooms. Instructors apply directly through sponsors.

Contact: Driver Training Programs, New York State DMV, 518-473-7174.

How to Download and Use the Official CR-138 Form?

Visit the official New York DMV website.
Go directly to https://dmv.ny.gov/forms/cr138.pdf.
The file opens instantly—no login required.
Save it to your device and print if needed for reference during application preparation.

The PDF is searchable and contains the full legal text plus a table of contents for quick navigation.

Important Compliance and Advertising Rules in Part 138

Advertising must be truthful and pre-approved by the sponsor. Key restrictions:

Must state the course is exactly six hours
Cannot promise “point erasure” or specific dollar savings
May mention only the 10% insurance discount (no exaggerated claims)
All materials must identify the sponsoring agency
Copies of ads must be kept for three years

Violations can result in suspension or revocation of approval.

Why the CR-138 Form Matters in 2026?

New York’s Point and Insurance Reduction Program continues to help thousands of drivers annually. The CR-138 regulations ensure every approved course meets the same high safety standards. Whether you are a driver looking for point relief, an instructor seeking employment, or an organization planning to launch a course, starting with the official CR-138 PDF is the required first step.

Download the CR-138 Form PDF now from the New York DMV and stay compliant with current Commissioner Regulations Part 138.

For questions, contact the DMV Driver Training Programs unit directly. Always verify the latest version on the official dmv.ny.gov website before submitting any application.