Avoid higher car insurance rates by attending traffic school for traffic violations

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Avoid higher car insurance rates by attending traffic school for traffic violations

A female driver takes driving lessons with an instructor inside the car.

Have you recently received a traffic violation and are concerned about its impact on your driving experience and insurance rates? Traffic school can be a valuable tool to help mitigate the consequences of these violations. CheapInsurance.com examines the impact of traffic school on driving records. By understanding the types of violations that qualify for Traffic School, how often you can attend, and the potential benefits to your insurance, you can make informed decisions to protect your driving license and your wallet.

Key findings

• Driving school can help remove points from your driving.
• Not all traffic violations are suitable for attending traffic school.
• The frequency of authorized traffic school attendance varies by state.
• Completing driving school can help keep your auto insurance rates from going up.
• Consider the costs and potential benefits of driving school before enrolling.

What types of traffic violations qualify for Traffic School?

Not everyone moves violation suitable for traffic school. Generally, traffic school is available for minor offenses such as:

• Speeding: Exceeding the set speed.
• Driving through a red light or stop sign: Failure to obey traffic lights.
• Dangerous lane change: Changing lanes without signaling or safely.

How often can you attend traffic school?

The frequency with which you can attend traffic school varies by state. Some states have strict limits on how often you can participate, while others may allow multiple registrations over a period of time. It’s important to check your state’s laws to determine the exact limits.

Examples of traffic accident limits

While the general rule is that you can only attend traffic school once every 18 months, there are specific rules for different states. Here are the limits in California, Florida, Texas and Minnesota:

California

• Frequency: You can usually attend driving school once every 18 months.
• Exceptions: Certain violations, such as speeding over 25 mph, may disqualify you from attending driving school.

Florida

• Frequency: You can attend traffic school or driver training courses up to five times in your lifetime.
• Limitation: You cannot attend the same course more than once in a 12-month period.

Texas

• Frequency: Texas usually allows drivers to attend traffic school once every three years.
• Exceptions: The exact rules may vary depending on the specific offense and the jurisdiction of the court.

Minnesota

• Frequency: Minnesota allows drivers to attend traffic school once every 18 months.
• Limitation: There may be limits depending on the type of offense and your driving history.

How moving violations can help prevent car insurance rates from going up

One of the main benefits of attending a driving school is the ability to prevent a significant increase in your auto insurance rates. Insurance companies often raise rates for drivers with a history of traffic violations.

Avoiding points on your driving record

Points system: Many states use a points system to track driving violations. Accumulating too many points can lead to higher car insurance rates or even a license suspension.

Drop point: Passing driving school can often result in points being taken off your driving record, reducing your risk of insurance fines.

Demonstrating a commitment to safety

Positive perception: Insurance companies often look favorably on drivers who take proactive steps to improve their driving skills.

Risk assessment: By attending a driving school, you signal to insurers that you are committed to safe driving, which can lower your perceived risk.

Possibility of discounts

Incentives of the insurance company: Some insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who have completed traffic school courses.

Saving money: These discounts can offset the cost of driving school and provide long-term financial benefits.

Maintaining clean driving

Future insurance rates: A clean driving record can help you get affordable insurance rates in the future.

Remember: Although traffic school can be a valuable tool in mitigating the consequences of traffic violations, it is not a guaranteed solution. The specific impact on your insurance rates will depend on a variety of factors, including your insurance company, driving history and the severity of the offense.

By successfully completing traffic school, you can demonstrate a commitment to improving your driving habits and potentially avoid those costly fines.

The cost of traffic school and insurance rates are increasing

While driving school can help mitigate the negative consequences of a traffic violation, it is important to consider the costs associated with attending a traffic school course. These costs may vary depending on factors such as location, course provider and type of violation.

Average costs for driving school

The average cost of driving school can range from $50 to $200 or more. However, these are often one-time costs that could potentially save you much more in the long run.

Cost comparison: driving school and insurance rate hikes

To understand the potential savings from driving school, it’s helpful to compare the cost of the course to the potential increase in car insurance premiums without attending. Insurance companies often raise rates for drivers who have violated the traffic rules. The exact amount of the increase will depend on a variety of factors, including the severity of the violation, your driving history, and your insurance company.

example:

• Cost of traffic school: 100 USD
• An increase in the insurance tariff is possible: $200 per year

In this example, attending traffic school could save you $100 in the first year and potentially more in subsequent years if your insurance rates continue to rise.

Additional considerations

While the financial benefits of driving school can be significant, it is important to consider other factors as well. Some states may offer online or in-person courses, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

Conclusion

Driving school can be a valuable tool for drivers who have received minor traffic violations. By understanding the relevant offences, attendance restrictions and potential insurance benefits, you can make informed decisions to protect your driving experience and your wallet. If you’ve recently been charged with a traffic violation, consider enrolling in traffic school as a proactive step toward maintaining your driving privileges and keeping your car insurance costs under control.

This story was made CheapInsurance.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.

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