[edit] WHAT IS A TRAFFIC SCHOOL?

A traffic school is an institution or establishment that offers defensive driving courses to people. In California, these schools provide instructions relevant to the California state traffic law. The California traffic schools need to be licensed and the Defensive Driving courses need to be approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the state.

Apart from this, some California traffic schools also offer courses to help you obtain the state learner's permit and new driver's license.

[edit] WHAT IS A DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE?

A defensive driving course provides instructions on traffic safety and state-specific traffic laws and regulations. In California, the defensive driving course of a traffic school needs to be approved by the DMV.

The defensive driving course teaches defensive driving techniques that include:

• Traffic safety
• Rules for the road
• Driving impairments
• Right-of-way
• Driving emergencies
• Regulations for each type of vehicle
• Laws related to Driving Under Influence(DUI)
• Driving environment

[edit] WHO CAN ORDER YOU TO TAKE A DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE?

In California, the court or the DMV (with the notification from the court) can order you to take a defensive driving course. This order will be issued on the basis of a traffic violation. The court gives a deadline for completing the course, and failure to do so may result in serious risks including dismissal of your license. So it is imperative to join a traffic school on time and complete the course.

[edit] WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE THE COURSE

There are quite a few reasons why you need to take the defensive driving course. Let's take a look at the reasons.

• To complete the court order to take the course after a traffic violation
• To get relief from a traffic ticket
• To reduce insurance rates after getting a traffic ticket or to get an insurance discount
• To reduce the total points accumulated by traffic violation
• To get familiarized with safe driving practices

[edit] HOW TO IDENTIFY THE RIGHT COURSE

Before you register for a defensive driving course with a traffic school, you need to ensure it suits your requirements. There are some key points you need to look at before registering. The course must be:

• State approved
• Designed to educate you on safe traffic rules and regulations
• Court approved for traffic ticket dismissal
• Recognized by insurance companies for an auto insurance discount
• Flexible for you to be able to complete it
• Designed to be completed within the time limit given by the court

In California, finding a traffic school in your county that is approved by a specific court is a complicated task. If you've committed a traffic violation offense and have been given a deadline to complete a Defensive Driving course, you may not have the patience to keep searching. DMV.com is your advisor for all your California driving-related issues.

[edit] DMV.COM TRAFFIC SCHOOL SEARCH TOOL

DMV.com understands your needs and provides you with the right solution at the right time. You can make use of the search tool at DMV.com to locate a California traffic school in your county that is approved by a specific court. You can choose how to take the courses, either attending classroom sessions in person or participating online. In California, the Government has approved online traffic schools in almost all counties except a few such as Orange and Santa Clara counties. DMV.com also lists the online traffic schools in California so you can choose the California online traffic school that suits you best and complete the course.