What Does It Do?
The term does not have the same meaning in every state of the U.S. In some states traffic school is a course; in others it is a brick and mortar or online school providing some of the following courses:
- Traffic ticket dismissal
- Defensive driving
- Driving safety
- Point reduction
- Driver improvement
- Insurance discount
- Aggressive driving
Although the course objectives sound different, the primary goal of a person taking these courses is to:
- Dismiss a traffic ticket issued by police or highway patrol
- Remove points on his or her driving record
- Learn the driving safety techniques of that respective state
- Practice driving with a driver improvement program
- Gain an insurance discount
programs are offered through many channels: 1. Online/Internet - Very easy, convenient, and user need not be that tech savvy to understand and complete the course.
- Creates an account with the provider
- Pays through a bank issued card
- Completes the course, usually 8 chapters. The course is in some cases listenable (through headphones) and in some cases a multimedia course where the user can view animations and listen to voiceovers teaching safe driving techniques and road rules of that respective state. If in any doubt, he/she can contact (phone/chat) the 24/7 online support and get queries resolved.
- Takes the final exam online. In a few states like Texas and New York, the final exam is not given, as finishing the final chapter is considered the end of the course.
- Opts for a mail-out and gets a certificate. In some states certificates are delivered directly to Court/DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) and in other states it is delivered to the address the user provides; the user then carries the certificate to court in order to get any traffic tickets or points on the driving record dismissed or removed.
2. Classroom - Traditional, offers a personal touch to the user taking the traffic school course, as he/she will listen directly to a live instructor and can get any questions answered immediately.
- User schedules classroom time based on a convenient day and time.
- Listens to the instructor and understands the safe driving techniques and rules of the state.
- Writes the exam under the supervision of the instructor or a notary, passes the exam and gets the certificate.
- Takes the certificate to the court to have traffic tickets dismissed or driving record points removed.
3. CD/DVD/On Demand - The latest, most convenient method.
- User rents or buys a CD or DVD or asks for a telecast.
- Listens and watches the safe driving techniques and rules of that respective state.
- Goes to a notary, passes the exam and gets the certificate.
- Takes the certificate to the court to have traffic tickets dismissed or driving record points removed.
In addition to the United States, a few states and provinces in Canada, Australia and Europe also have this type of traffic school in place, but compared to other countries the United States course is taken on a large scale.
The providers who offer these courses are usually certified by respective state road/traffic safety bodies, such as:
- State
- Court
- DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles)
- BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles)
- DOT (Department of Transportation)
- DDS (Department of Driving Services)
- TEA (Texas Educational Agency)
- DOS (Department of Safety)
- DOI (Department of Insurance)
- MVC (Motor Vehicle Commission)
- DHSMV (Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles)
- Highway Patrol
Below are a few examples of list approved providers in respective states listed in state specific road/traffic safety providers:
Traffic school not only deals with ticket dismissal and insurance discounts, but also teaches or provides courses for:
- Drivers Ed - For teenagers above 13 years and below 18 years old to get their driving permits/licenses
- Adult Drivers Ed - For ages 18+ who do not have a driving license
- Insurance Discount - For ages 55+, to get an insurance discount
- Fleet - For company drivers to drive fleet vehicles
Traffic school covers all traffic safety related courses for all segments and ages above 13.
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