Traffic School
There are many situations in which drivers are required to attend a traffic school. Not all are related to poor past behavior on the road. Completion of a course of study at an accredited traffic school may reduce an individual's auto insurance rates, and can help refine skills in order to avoid accidents. In other cases, completion of a traffic school is a job requirement due to a company's safety regulations. Some schools also advertise specialized courses designed for senior citizens, those with special needs, or simply anyone who feels they need a refresher course on traffic safety.
In other cases attendance at a traffic school is the result of one or more moving violations, such as speeding tickets or reckless driving. Drivers who have been convicted of DUI or other infractions may also be required to attend remedial training at a state-approved traffic school. Some states allow dismissal of moving violations for those who successfully complete an approved traffic school. Such violations can cause insurance costs to skyrocket due to points added to the driver's license, so the dismissal of a traffic ticket could represent a significant savings on insurance rates.
For new drivers, whether teens or adults who are learning the skill, traffic school can be an excellent way to learn in a safe environment while accompanied by a licensed instructor. Schools can help the student learn the rules of the road during classroom instruction, and safe car handling skills while driving in a controlled environment such as a private driving course.
Requirements for traffic school completion often vary by state, so students are encouraged to seek out a school that advertises compliance with their state's laws. Costs incurred also vary, depending upon the length and nature of the course and potentially by state. Reputable schools advertise accreditation, and may be officially sanctioned or recognized by individual state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices.
For those who cannot easily travel to a locally run traffic school, online study options are available in many states although the use of such schools precludes any practical, on-road instruction. These schools are primarily of use in terms of traffic ticket requirements; they may or may not satisfy court ordered attendance, and certainly will not be of much use to individuals who are seeking defensive driving instruction or new drivers who require hands-on practice behind the wheel.
