What is traffic school? Would traffic school reduce my fine? Or the points on my license?

UPDATED: Jul 19, 2023Fact Checked

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Jeffrey Johnson

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Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

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UPDATED: Jul 19, 2023

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UPDATED: Jul 19, 2023Fact Checked

Some states have concluded that education offers the best avenue to reduce future traffic violations, and that an educated driver is a safer driver. As a result, those states allow people who are ticketed to plead guilty or “no content” to minor traffic offenses, pay the fine and then go to traffic school.

Traffic school is a 6 – 10 hour program of instruction on driving safety and traffic laws offered by a state authorized school. After successfully completing traffic school and submitting the proof of completion to the state DMV, the violation and the “points” are then removed from your driving record.

Typically the states allow attendance at traffic school to remove a violation from your driving record only once every 12 – 18 months, and only if it is a minor traffic violation.

As to whether traffic school will save you money or not, consider the fact that you will have to pay the fine, and perhaps also an added DMV fee, plus the traffic school’s fees, and spend about 6 – 10 hours of time to attend classes and/or self-study. Consider also the impact on your auto insurance rates if you do not have the points removed.

Case Studies: Traffic School and Its Benefits

Case Study 1: Reducing Violations and Points on a Driving Record

In this case study, a driver receives a minor traffic violation and decides to attend traffic school as an alternative to paying the fine and receiving points on their driving record. The case study explains that traffic school is a state-authorized program that offers instruction on driving safety and traffic laws. Upon successful completion of the program, the driver can submit proof to the state’s DMV, resulting in the removal of the violation and points from their driving record. The case study highlights the benefits of attending traffic school in terms of maintaining a clean driving record.

Case Study 2: Timing and Eligibility for Traffic School

This case explores the timing and eligibility requirements for attending traffic school. The case study notes that most states allow attendance at traffic school only once every 12 to 18 months and for minor traffic violations. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the specific rules and limitations set by each state. The case study highlights that attending traffic school can be an effective option for those who meet the eligibility criteria and want to prevent points from affecting their driving record.

Case Study 3: Considering the Costs and Insurance Impact

In this scenario, the case study examines the financial aspects of attending traffic school. It mentions that drivers must pay the fine for the violation, potential DMV fees, and the fees associated with attending traffic school. The case study encourages drivers to consider the overall costs, including the time commitment of approximately 6 to 10 hours for classes or self-study. Additionally, the case study raises awareness about the potential impact on auto insurance rates if points are not removed from the driving record.

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Jeffrey Johnson

Insurance Lawyer

Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

Insurance Lawyer

Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about legal topics and insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything legal and insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.

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