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California Traffic School

Posted on: March 19th, 2012 by Traffic School

For many California drivers at one time or another they unfortunately get a ticket and need to take California traffic school.  Taking California online traffic school has many benefits and can help you ensure that you do not waste thousands of dollars paying for a speeding or traffic ticket for years to come.  Yes thousands.  How can it be thousands of dollars for just one ticket you may be wondering, well let’s look at how just one ticket affects your insurance costs and how taking online California traffic school can fix all that and save you thousands.  Meet Edward.

Edward had a clean driving record until one day he was in a rush to meet his girlfriend and was pulled over for driving 9 mph over the speeding ticket.  He was given a $200 speeding ticket and the officer told him he could also take traffic school instead of getting points on his record.  In California, his speeding ticket was a 1 point offense.  He also currently has a $100 car insurance policy.  According to state law this ticket will stay on his record for 5 years.

Edward called the court and found out it would cost him $200 for the speeding ticket plus an extra $150 dollars in court fees.  He would have to pay this regardless of whether or not he took California traffic school.  Finding out he still had to pay for the ticket no matter even if he took traffic school, his first response was to just pay it.  That was until he found out how it would impact his insurance cost.

Edward’s insurance company raises rates 20% for having an additional point on your driving record.  For Edward that means an extra $20 monthly for his car insurance.  That may not seem too bad, but he will have to pay that $20 extra for the next 5 years until the ticket disappears off his record.  That means an $1200 in insurance costs for that one ticket.

His other option, take traffic school online for $20 and not have the speeding ticket appear on his record.  That saves him $1180!

Now let’s remember that if Edward doesn’t take California traffic school, the ticket will stay on his record for 5 years.  What will happen if he gets another ticket?  For Edward that would bring about another more expensive insurance premium.  On average, care insurance rates increase by 35% for your second offense.  For Edward, that would mean his $120 rate (after his first ticket) would increase to $162 for the next five years.  Or he could just take California traffic school for $20 instead and save all of that money.

Sears Driving School

Posted on: November 21st, 2011 by Traffic School

The Sears store also has an approved Sears driving school in many communities and cities.   They offer driving school for both adults and teens that are targeted and tailor to fit the needs of the state.  Sears driving school can be taken in the following states:

  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • New Jersey
  • Ohio
  • Texas
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin

The driving school center is normally located right in the store and teens or adults can simply drive off with the instructor from the Sears driving school location.  This can be very convenient for parents since while their teen is out driving they can shop in Sears or the mall.

 

Drivers Ed Online vs. Traditional Drivers Ed

Posted on: November 18th, 2011 by Traffic School

Many teens and adults today have the option of taking a traditional drivers ed course in a school or local building OR taking their drivers ed course online at home on their computer.  Let’s compare drivers ed online with traditional drivers ed so that you can make a smart decision about the type of course you would like to take.

Drivers Ed Online

  • Can be taken from home at your own schedule
  • You can sign in and out as you please
  • Contains interactive games and quizzes
  • Uses video content to make it more interesting
  • Usually less expensive
  • No travel time to and from a class
  • Many times you can take the final exam as often as needed

Traditional Brick and Mortar Drivers ED

  • Interaction with the teacher and other students
  • Can be taken with friends if it is a school course
  • May be convenient in location
  • Can ask the teacher questions the moment they arrive
  • Do not need a computer

Driving Test: What to Expect

Posted on: November 16th, 2011 by Traffic School

Although every driving test can differ slightly, there are some common things you can expect to encounter in your driving test.  The driving test almost always start with the examiner asking you to activate the lights, turn on each blinker, beep the horn, and tap the breaks.  This is just to make sure the car is ready to be driven and you know where everything is.  Usually after that the examiner will have you pull out and have you perform a number of routine driving procedures.  This normally includes:

  • Backing up
  • Parking, sometimes parallel parking
  • Turning at an intersection
  • Changing lanes
  • Merging

In some cases this will take place on a small street and in some cases you may be asked to enter and exit the freeway as well.  Don’t be nervous, this is what you practiced for and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you are nervous about what you are doing.

Drivers Ed: What To Expect

Posted on: November 14th, 2011 by Traffic School

For many people, both teens and adults, starting drivers ed can be scary.  Many people describe themselves as anxious and nervous before their first drivers ed course.   However, there is nothing to be worried about and nothing scary about drivers ed.   Most driver’s ed classes contain material relating to the laws in your state regarding:

  • Signs and traffic signals
  • Speeding and speeding limits
  • Right of way
  • Traffic laws
  • Drinking and driving
  • Defensive driving and steering clear of accidents

Many courses use traditional teaching methods such as lectures and worksheets, but online drivers ed courses also incorporate videos and interactive games and quizzes.  In almost all drivers ed courses you will need to pass an exam at the end of the course.  A benefit of the online drivers ed course is that normally you can take the exam multiple times if you need to.

Once you complete the drivers ed course, normally your driving classes will start.  This normally consists of 3-4 students in the same car taking turns driving.  The instructor has a brake and wheel in the front passenger seat and can control the car if needed.