Getting a traffic citation is never a good experience. They are, after all, punishments for breaking the law. But they don't have to be as costly as you may think. Many people, upon receiving their traffic tickets, simply pay the fine, and deal with any changes in their insurance rates. But that doesn't have to be the case. If you know your options, you can make the entire process less time consuming, and less expensive. Here's what you can do:
Once you have gotten a traffic ticket, you have three options:
Before you make your decision, you should think about how violation points could adversely affect your driver record, and your wallet (or purse). In Florida, the point allotment varies slightly, depending on what county you received the ticket in. Orlando, for example, has 3 point levels of violations:
To find the specific point allotments for each county, visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
When you elect traffic school as your option, it's actually saving you money. If you accept the points on your license, your insurance provider could raise your rates anywhere from 10% to 25%. And because points remain on your driver record for 3 years, you could wind up paying hundreds of dollars extra.
The best way to find an online course is to do your homework. You want to find a course that is state-certified (all state-certified courses are a mandatory 4 hours long) in order to make sure the appropriate topics are covered. Look for a course that will teach you the safe driving techniques you need to know. If you are the kind of person who benefits from animations and videos, look for a course that offers those. If you prefer to listen to an audio course, look for a course that offers an audio option. Finding the course that best suits your own personal needs will make your traffic school experience not only painless, but more beneficial.
So whether you got a speeding ticket in Orlando, or you ran a red light in Miami, online traffic school in Florida can save you a bundle, and will ensure you won't make the same mistake again.