How Long Does Online Traffic School Take

Taking an online traffic school can be an easy way to keep points from getting on your license and can help your insurance rates stay low too. But don’t forget that you have to choose a school the DMV accepts, or they won’t give you credit for it. So, if you’re asking yourself how long does a defensive driving course take, make sure you consider more than just the time involved. Here’s how long each state requires you to complete traffic school according to their state law.

California 

In California, traffic school is 8 hours. However, if you take it online there are no timers, so actual course time will depend on the individual. It could take one to two hours or the entire eight. There is a mandatory 25 question multiple choice quiz at the end in which you need to get 70% correct to pass. Make sure you study!

New York

Traffic school in New York is best known as a defensive driving course. It can stop points from being added to your driving record due to a recent traffic ticket and it can also get NY residents a 3-year auto insurance discount. It will take six hours to complete online. You can finish the course at your own pace.

Texas  

When you receive a traffic ticket in Texas you can take a Driving Safety Course which is very similar to traffic school. The course is 6-hours, but the online version includes 60 minutes in mandatory breaks, so you only have to spend a total of 5 hours taking it.

Florida  

Most FL traffic violators can attend a 4-hour online traffic school or basic driver improvement (BDI) course instead of receiving points on their driving record. However, due to allowance for breaks, students will only have to spend 3 hours and 15 minutes in the BDI online version.  Offenders who have taken the 4-hour course in the last 12 months or are habitual traffic offenders may be designated by the court to take an 8-hour course. There are no timers for this online program, which means students will be able to finish more quickly.

Arizona   

It could take up to 48 hours for an online traffic school to verify your eligibility to take the online course, but once you are deemed eligible, you are required to spend a minimum of 4 hours in the traffic school/defensive driving program.

Kentucky 

Once you receive an eligibility letter from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet you can sign up for an online KY traffic school or 4-hour Aware Driver Course. You must spend a minimum of four hours in the course to obtain your proof of completion certificate and point reduction from the state.

Indiana  

Online Indiana defensive driving school is also four hours long. You can do the entire course in one sitting or log off and back on as often as you like until the four hours have been accumulated.

Nevada  

In Nevada, you are required to spend at least five hours in traffic school online. There is also an 8-hour online DUI course available to those who were ordered by a NV court to take a “Driving Under the Influence” course. The online requirement for this course is six hours.

Virginia

Virginia traffic school is one of the longest online driver improvement courses in the country. It is an 8-hour course, but actual online course time allows for an 80-minute break, which means there is a 6-hour and 40-minutes study time requirement.

Georgia  

Like many states, Georgia has a self-paced online traffic school. You can take it at a time that works for you, complete it all at once, or do it in stages. You will however, must spend a minimum of 6 hours in the course.

New Jersey  

New Jersey requires you to spend at least six hours in traffic school. You can actually remove two points from your NJ driving record by taking the MyImprov NJ MVC approved defensive driving course.

Tennessee 

Four hours is the time you’ll spend taking an online traffic school in Tennessee. You can complete it at a time that’s convenient for you, but you’ll need to spend that length of time to have the course count.

Idaho  

Idaho requires a six-hour defensive driving program or traffic school for their point reduction program. Many sites offer a 10-chapter course that is 36 minutes each. Students can log off and back on as often as they wish. Fortunately, with online traffic school, you can take the course when it’s convenient for you.

What Else Should You Know About Online Traffic School?

There’s usually a final exam to take, and you’ll also have to make sure the course completion certificate finds its way to your insurance company if your state and insurance company gives auto insurance discounts for those who complete the online course.

So, how long does traffic school take? From around one or two to more than eight hours, depending on the state you’re in. Knowing the laws and regulations for DMV approved traffic school in your state is important, make sure you are getting the right program for your needs.

NY Junior License vs. NY Senior License

Once your teen turns 16 and has their driving learner’s permit, it’s only a matter of time before they aim for their driver’s license. But before you get nervous about letting them loose on the open road, know that for young drivers, the privilege isn’t fully awarded until New York 16-18-year-olds have proven themselves worthy and capable. They do this by following New York state’s gradual-step licensing process, which starts with a junior license and ends with a senior license – the Graduated License Law.

While the Graduated License Law places restrictions on a driver with a junior license, it also incentivizes young drivers. They can take an additional defensive driving course NY to get a reduced auto-insurance rate.

But what is the difference between driving with a junior license and a senior license?

Distinct Driving Aims

A young driver with a NY junior license has studied the New York manual and driven mostly unsupervised with some restrictions to gain experience – or training – behind the wheel. With a senior license, a teen driver has proven their experience.

Because a junior license is a ticket to train, young drivers must stay within the state of New York when behind the wheel (or in a state with applicable permit regulations). But with a senior license, NY drivers can drive in any state of the country.

New Drivers Have A Probationary Period

Young drivers earning a junior license have a 6-month probationary period. That means, within that timeframe, conviction of any of the following traffic violations results in an automatic 60-day suspension of their license, which is followed by a secondary 6-month probationary period:

  • Speeding
  • Tailgating
  • Racing on public roads
  • Driving recklessly
  • Distracted driving (any distraction — including conversing with passengers, eating, and adjusting radio)
  • Driving while using any portable electronic device, including cellphone, GPS navigation, and tablet
  • Any 2 traffic violations

When the suspension ends, a second 6-month probation period begins. Traffic violation committed within this timeframe results a revocation of the junior license of at least 6 months. The end of that period begins yet another 6-month probationary period.

Drivers earning a senior license have no initial probationary period.

Age Rules

If a young driver decides to hold off until they’re a little older to get behind the wheel, their age determines which license they begin with. If they’re 18 or older and pass both the written and driving exams, then senior license it is. But ages 16 up to their 18th birthday must start with the junior license

Training and understanding the key fundamental principles, as well as the rules, of a discipline are the keys to learning and mastering it. Today’s teenagers are well versed in that concept, thanks to their activities and interests, which can range from playing la cross to performing on the stage. Driving is no different. That’s why, thanks to the Graduated License Law that includes a defensive driving course NY, auto collisions involving teenaged drivers have dropped to almost half of 51,000 that were reported in 2009.

Tips for Driving in New York

Driving in New York can be roughly divided into two vastly different experiences: driving in New York City and driving in the rest of the state. Driving in New York outside the city is the same as driving anywhere else, except in the winter. Then, it’s like driving anywhere else on top of a sheet of slush or ice.

How to Be Extra Careful

Slippery, snowy, and other conditions unique to the winter months greatly increase the chances of finding yourself in a fender bender or worse. A defensive driving course will decrease your insurance premium in New York even if you’re never in an accident and will pay dividends if you are unlucky enough to trade paint with another car.

As for the Big Apple, there’s one tip that applies to both long-time New Yorkers and tourists alike regarding driving in the city: don’t do it. Seemingly every block in the city presents a virtual defensive driving course’s worth of challenges: speeding bikes, annoying scooters, skateboarders for some reason, pedestrians in crosswalks, pedestrians everywhere else, and endless streams of cars and trucks of every type from semis to the ubiquitous yellow cabs that are still holding the line in the age of Uber; all of them are everywhere at the same time. So, if possible, leave your car outside the city and take a train or ferry into the thick of it; you can take a subway, cab, or Uber anywhere you might want to go.

For Those Who Can’t Give Up Driving

If you insist on driving in the city, there are several tips to remember, some of which are unique to NYC.

1. Right Turns. First, unlike almost everywhere else in the United States, you can’t turn right on red in the city unless there’s an arrow or sign indicating otherwise. It’s also very common for left turns to be prohibited at many intersections for much of the day as indicated by clear signage. If you’re not familiar with the city, don’t let the fact that the city’s a giant, easy to follow grid fool you; know your route before you start driving because you won’t have time to check you phone on the way.

2. Parking. As you can imagine, parking can be a problem. If you find a coveted street spot within a half mile of your destination, jump on it unless you see an entire block with no cars parked on it. That doesn’t just happen; if there are no cars parked on a whole block, there is a reason like street cleaning that will get your car towed quickly.

3. Crosswalks. Your car needs to be completely outside all crosswalks and at least 15 feet from every fire hydrant. Parking tickets are a major source of revenue for the city and parking enforcement is out in force 24/7; expect to pick up a ticket at 2AM the same as you would for parking illegally in the middle of the day. If your car gets towed, it’s entirely possible it will end up in a different borough at a garage that is open for pickups 4 hours a day and charges $100 a day for ‘storage.’

4. GARAGE. Given all of that, it’s probably wise to head straight for a paid lot or garage. Don’t be fooled by lots with suspiciously low rates. It’s not uncommon for a parking lot or garage to have a sign that says “$5 all day” in large letters with “…for every half hour” in tiny letters underneath.

Check Your TLC Application Status

In New York, if you want to operate a Taxi business or be a Taxi or Uber driver, you need to have completed a defensive driving course and your must have a TLC license. TLC means the Taxi and Limousine Association, an agency created in 1971 and tasked with regulating and licensing New York’s taxicabs, for-hire vehicles, and commuter vans. This association has a board whose commission consists of nine members, eight of them don’t receive a salary. The only salaried person is the chair, and his duty is to preside over the public commission meetings.

Notably, TLC regulates and licenses more than fifty thousand vehicles and more than one hundred thousand drivers. Also, the agency performs emissions and safety inspections of the cross to fourteen thousand taxicabs, three times every year. Moreover, the agency makes biennial inspections of all their TLC-licensed vehicles, making it the most active licensing regulatory agency in the U.S. Want to know how to get TLC license? Easy! Apply for TLC license by following the steps below.

Submitting an Online License Application

TLC has an official website where you can submit your license application online. You can do this by downloading and filling out the TLC application form. This way, you can easily retrieve and turn in your TLC application without much hassle.

You can complete the application by selecting the “apply for a new license” button which is located on the left side of the page. After which, you will be required to select the “type driver” application you are seeking. The driver license types include Street Hail Livery (SHL) driver, for-hire, and medallion. Select one amongst these. Upon receiving your application number, save it or memorize since you will need it when completing the rest of the license requirements. You should then regularly check your TLC application status.

Steps to Acquiring TLC License

There are several steps you need to follow before acquiring your TLC license. However, TLC license requirements are cheap and essential. If you do everything properly, you will no longer have problems with the NYC traffic department. The steps for TLC new application are listed and expounded below.

Upgrade your License

In New York, you will get an NYC license after successfully completing your driving course. To complete the TLC license application, you first need to upgrade the NYC license to become a class E license. This is essential if you plan to drive taxis around the city. The upgrade can cost you between $21 and $28, depending on your age and driving experience.

Take a Defensive Driving Course

To keep your license in good standing, you will need to take a defensive driving course every 18 months. The defensive driving course only takes six hours in New York. It includes information about safe driving and traffic laws. You can either take an online course or an in-person one which makes it very convenient. The cost varies from $30 to $40 depending on the company you choose. After finishing the course, you will get the certificate within seven business days.

Get a Medical Exam

The TLC agency requires all drivers to be fit to ensure that they can drive vehicles safely. As such, you need to visit your physician to get a comprehensive physical examination. After the examination, the physician will fill out and stamp the medical report. This medical exam report can be downloaded and printed from the TLC website.

Take a Drug Test

You can take a drug test anywhere within New York, but it is recommended that you take it in an area near the TLC office. To get the test, all you need to do is to show your driving license and pay a $26 fee. After that, a urine sample will be taken, and the results of the test will be forwarded to TLC. If you successfully pass all of your tests, you will get your TLC Certification.
If you wish to operate or drive for an Uber business in New York, Uber TLC is a necessity, and you can only acquire it by following the above-described procedure. Remember to check your TLC new application status regularly in case additional information is needed.

What’s Worse: NY Football Traffic or NY College Football Traffic?

The autumn crisp has been wandering through New York for the past few weeks. That means everyone’s favorite transitional season is here: Football Season. As colleges gear up their collegiate pride, the pros are gearing up to represent their state’s pride. One of the most popular sports in the country is about to be underway.

As New Yorkers, however, there’s some bad news.

With game day comes fighting game day traffic. It’s the worst part about this time of year. Not even the glorious education from an online defensive driving course can salvage this seasonal road congestion.

People across the country flock to already clustered cities and campuses to support their favorite hog-tosser (that’s a quarterback, right?) and to ensure the humiliating defeat of their rival team. Competition runs deep in football. That’s why, to make it even more competitive, we’re weighing which football traffic is worse: College or Pro League?

NY College Football Traffic Problems

College Parking:

For all these smart people, you’d think they’d create a smart way to park. College parking is notoriously awful – especially in the big city. The only way you’ll be able to find the right parking space, without paying for the equivalent of a college tuition, is by driving to an obscure neighborhood on the opposite side of campus. This kind of handicap will only lead to more cars on the road, creating the infamous college day campus clog.

College Kids:

College kids can dampen any college gameday festivities. They’re notorious for their reckless behavior and rambunctious attitude. Especially during a tailgate. Driving around a town during a college gameday could mean distracted drivers, street wanderers, and intoxicated nuisances. Students should spend less time drinking and more time staying off the roads!

Cramped Campus Roads:

One other fantastic quality about college campuses are the winding, tiny roads. They’re beautiful and unique to developing an aesthetic educational institution. But when you’re cramming thousands of hungry, enthusiastic college football fans down a narrow one-way, you can expect some major traffic. Efficient infrastructure is a rare sight to be held on the collegiate property.

NY Pro Football Traffic Problems

Expensive Parking – if any at all:

During game day, the lucky few will find parking. Sharing the same problems of their college sibling, the pros have the exact same issues – but on a professional level. If you thought spending money for parking at a college university was expensive, just wait until you realize the price per hour at any parking garage within a mile’s radius of the pro stadium.

Out-of-State Drivers:

When most of the country loves sports, driving on the roads will feel like much of the country is in your state. Because of the popularity of pro league football, you might notice more people flocking to New York this time of year. It’s going to be a traffic issue too.

You’ll catch yourself yelling, “Go back to Pennsylvania!” multiple times this season. When out-of-staters visit the wonderful Empire state, they must adjust to new territory. That means, wrong turns, slow driving, rubbernecking, and everything else that comes out of a drive when in unknown lands.

Too Many People:

New York is already crowded. Pro League football has insurmountable number of fans wanting to visit every game. During the big game day, you’ll be fighting the crowds, rushing in the traffic, and the being subjected to the hectic confusion excited fans. Maybe it might be better to just stream the game from your living room with a couple of buddies.

The Winner Is: Pro football traffic definitely outweighs college football traffic. Choose your outings wisely ?

How Do You Take Your Kids to NY School in 2018?

Listen, parenting is hard. We understand that. You have these kids that need to go to school but getting them there can be tough. You have to get yourself to work so you can’t take them. You are in the middle of taking a defensive driving course and do not want to lose your place. You’re thinking about a ride-sharing program but re-think it because of expenses.

Let us lessen the transportation burden you have. We’ve discovered some creative ways to take your children to school. Instead of stressing out about how you’re supposed to make the drop off by 8 o’clock Monday morning, install a ride sharing app or check out the best local bus routes. We’re listing the best ways parents are getting their kids to school in 2018.

School Bus

If you live in the school district you might have access to the school bus system. Most schools have buses that pick up your kids from a specific address. The best thing of all, you don’t have to worry about getting in a car and dropping them off anywhere. The school bus comes to you.

Public Bus

The public bus system is like school buses but for professionals. When your kids can’t make it to the school bus or if you don’t have access to one, you can escort them on to the public buses. Just make sure the drop off is near your child’s school.

Subway

The subway might seem like a dark and dirty place, but it’s perfect for getting your children to school. There’s no better way of getting to know your kid better than sharing the same seat in a cramped, confined space full of strangers. The subway is like a school bus, but underground.

Ride Sharing

Ride sharing is very popular in larger cities. Instead of driving your own car to your child’s school, a stranger can drive you in their car. Using a rideshare could make the morning commute to work easier for you and child. We give this suggestion five stars, unless it hits a curb.

Your Own Car

The most popular way parents get their children to school is by driving their own car. You have complete freedom of when you leave, the music you play, and how fast you want to drive. The best thing of all is you don’t have to share the car with a stranger. Unless you have a distant relationship with your child…

Tandem Bicycles

Another, albeit, unpopular way of getting your kid to school is by tandem bicycle. Sharing the bike with your child is eco-friendly and will give them exercise in the mornings. Onlookers will watch you and your child in envy as you zip through the congested traffic. The only downside to this suggestion is the ride back.

Walking to School

This idea might be old-fashioned, but, in today’s driving culture, walking can be very underrated. If the school isn’t too far away, parents can walk with their kids to drop them off. Doing so is a great way to bond with your child, getting light exercise, and take in the sights of the neighborhood.

Helicopter

If you’re a high performing real estate mogul, you might want to consider dusting off the propellers of your own helicopter. Your child will impress all their friends when they climb down the drop ladder hovering over the school’s roof. Speaking of which, why don’t more schools have more helicopter landing pads?

Uber’s Self-Driving Cars Are Back

Earlier this year, self-driving cars were causing a bit of commotion in the public. This year, more than ever, self-driving cars were operable on the streets and becoming a common sight to be held. However, this dreamy futuristic reality came to an abrupt halt when an autonomous Uber car struck a pedestrian crossing the street. Perhaps they could have practiced better defensive driving.

This caused a dramatic uproar among people who were already questioning the presence of self driving vehicles on the roads.

But, just like the Terminator in three different iterations, Uber is back. They’re streamlining their self-driving cars on the streets, and we have the details of what passengers and pedestrian cross walkers can expect. Here’s everything you need to know about Uber’s heroic, or villainous, return.

A Not So Autonomous Update

Uber is releasing their fleet of autonomous cars on the streets with a new stipulation. They are driving manually by a human. It’s a not so autonomous update on the vehicles that are marketed as… autonomous.

Implementing a new safety standard, these cars will be monitored in real time to collect data on the performance of the vehicles. The drivers themselves will be serving as guinea pigs (better known as “test drivers”) during this trial period. The goal of this is to create a new, safer version of the inventive ride-sharing idea.

The drivers will be accompanied by another employee, who are called “mission specialist.” They are responsible for recording data and testing the features that would eventually be used in autonomous driving. Working with the drivers, the team aims to document the on-goings of the vehicle before it turns fully autonomous.

Along with testing the performance parameters of the light and radar detectors in the cars, Uber will be creating new HD maps of the Pittsburgh area with their manual drivers. Uber plans on using Pittsburgh as the hub of its testing ground. Putting as much distance as they can from Arizona.

Where to Find the Vehicles

The vehicles are being rolled out in one specific area. That place is none other than Pennsylvania. More specifically, Pittsburgh. The reasoning behind relaunching the autonomous vehicles in the Keystone state is because Pittsburgh was most heavily affected during layoffs when self-driving cars took over.

Now, the cars are back – but with a manual driver. To influence more job growth in the area, Uber is taking charge and employing drivers to drive the autonomous vehicles in the city. It could be a generous gesture or an act to correct some nasty karma.

Uber’s Autonomous Future

After the fatal crash that occurred in Arizona earlier this month, Uber reported the driver was streaming The Voice while driving the vehicle. The autonomous features of the vehicle failed to find the pedestrian crossing the street, while the driver failed to be paying attention to the street. This combined called for a deadly recipe.

Along with ensuring that their vehicles are performing at optimal capacity, Uber is encouraging trusted drivers to accompany the autonomous cars. Screening responsible drivers who know how to work with self-driving vehicles will be detrimental to the future of Uber. Without drivers who can be trust, Uber might encounter another incident to what happened in Arizona, and, ultimately, set the self-driving vehicle industry back several years.

The future of Uber’s autonomous car endeavors is still uncertain. Over the next year, everyone will be watching whether the company can tame cars that, technically, have a mind of their own.

Top Road Rage Definitions

Ah, yes. There’s nothing more alerting then the white-hot fury that comes from being cut off at a traffic light. It’s usually followed by a series of screaming and livid words directed at the culprit. Being angry seems to be a natural part of driving – especially when driving in New York. A defensive driving course will teach you how to drive defensively, and could help you control your anger if you know what to look for.

Sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what road rage is. We all express rage in different ways. Therefore, how we express our rage on the road is going to be unique to ourselves. That’s why we’ve created an extensive list of the top road rage definitions to describe the forms of anger you’d see and to be cautious of.

Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving is the most common form of road rage. When someone peeves you while on the beat path, it’s easy to drive less defensively. Some signs of an aggressive driver are less patient road maneuvers, driving a little too close to others, and passive aggressive honking. Passive aggressive honking is sometimes worse than angry honking. Try not to drive too closely to these guys.

Habitual Road Rage

Some people are just angry all the time. When you continuously do something, it becomes a habit. For some people, they might not realize how often they’re raging on the roads, because it’s become their habit. Habitual road rage is when a driver has developed a routine of being rageful while driving. It’s expected they’ll tailgate, because they blame others for their misery. Don’t’ upset a tailgater by frequent stops. It’s best just to change lanes.

Situational Road Rage

Have you ever encountered the sweetest person, but, when the car in front of them isn’t paying attention to the street light, they turn into a monstrosity? That’s the situational road rager. They don’t make it a habit of being angry, because they shove all those rageful feelings down – until someone cuts them off in traffic. During these instances they see nothing but red and snap. These drivers are not as easy to steer clear of, but do your best not to tick others off by following the rules of the road.

Tailgating

We’re all familiar with that jerk driving the pickup truck in your rearview mirror. They get too close to the back of your car, because that’s their way of telling you to “speed up.” Nobody enjoys tailgaters. What’s worse is tailgating is seen has a commonality of driver’s everywhere. What people don’t understand is tailgating is a form of road rage. As mentioned before, change lanes and let them pass.

Gesturing

Ever had your window down only to catch the driver next to you flipping you a bird? Gesturing can come and go in your life in a moment’s notice. Often, it’s prompted by doing something reckless. Other times, it could be a person just blowing off some steam. Try not to let these gestures upset you and encourage your inner road rager. Don’t take it personally, and move on.

Brake Checking

Brake checkers are the tailgaters worst enemy. They suddenly stop in the middle of the road, when they notice someone is driving too close to them. The goal is to have the other vehicle rear end them, starting an altercation at the rear-enders fault. The brake checker might feel justified in their actions, but, in reality, they’re just as bad as any other road rager. Don’t let them infuriate you! Change lanes. Hopefully your exit will appear shortly.

Leering and Staring

The leerer or starrer is the creepy ghoul of the road raging family. They’ll talk behind you, when you least expect it. Their only motif is to communicate some sense of anger to you, from behind the wheel of their car. If you’re stopped at a light and notice someone watching you, you could be encountering a leering driver who is ragefully whispering curses under their breath at you. Do not be hypnotized by those hushed tones. Keep your eyes on the road and your head in the game.

How Bad Are NY Drivers?

New York has a reputation. People find it easy to stereotype your classic New Yorker as being rageful, full of attitude, and rough around the edges. That might be obvious from the representation the state receives in movies and television shows.

Maybe not so obvious is the level of driving skills New Yorkers have. New York City is full of efficient public transportation options, so it’s understandable that plenty of people living in the state don’t have the same experience driving vehicles as others. Enrolling into a defensive driving course online might not even fix this issue. That’s why we’re exploring just how bad NY drivers are.

The Statistics

In a national report published by carinsurancecomparison.com, New York State was ranked 32nd in reckless drivers. That’s a good rating. The worst state to drive in was Montana, which is understandable, because everyone rides horses there.

Interestingly, New York, a state known to be aggressive in nature, was not so aggressive in its driving nature. Believe it or not, but the state that has built its reputation on ripping people new ones are very polite drivers – at least moderately. The reason being is potentially, because people take it out on each other through furious rage yelling on the streets.

Accident Reports

There’s something more interesting about this statistic. According to the New York Health department, on average, there are 1,098 deaths reported every year in the state due to road incidents. On top of that are 12,093 hospitalized visits from people injured in a traffic-related event.

If New York is the 32nd ranked state for reckless drivers, that means other states, more reckless than New York, have a higher number of deaths and traffic-related injuries. The question shouldn’t be, how bad are NY drivers, but how bad are drivers? We’re looking at you Montana.

New York contains the 3rd most congested city in the world, harsh winters with ice freezing over roads, and mindless animals jumping in front of cars in the forests. The driving conditions are not in the favor of the locals. Despite all of this, New York still preservers as the 32nd reckless drivers state. That’s pretty good considering the odds are not in their favor.

Hey! I’m Walkin’ Here!

Whether it’s ride sharing apps, classic taxis, bus drivers, or other modes of public transportation, getting around the city or any other part of the state is quick and simple. Transportation is so efficient in the state, even the rats don’t have a problem getting around the city. That’s why it’s important to demystify the stereotype that not all New Yorkers are atrocious drivers.

Sure – they might chew you out for walking or almost hitting them when they are trying to cross the street… or highway, but it’s coming from a good place. They might be yelling, “You almost hit me, you $#&@!” But what they are really yelling is, “New York state is stereotyped as having poor drivers, please take an initiative to help change that by being a defensive driver, have a nice day!” Don’t make other New York drivers look bad by being an awful driver.

While traveling around the state, remember to be a defensive driver. If you’re not, you can’t use the excuse that New York is a reckless state. The average driver has a pretty good experience with operating a vehicle, so that means you should too.

NY Bus Driver Salaries and Hardships

New York is known for its superb public transportation. Every day millions of people opt to use the large amount of transit services available to them. In fact, many New Yorkers bypass taking their online defensive driving course, because they do not own or drive a car.

However, getting lost in the heat of bouncing from one bus to the next can be stressful and exhausting for passengers. But nothing compares to the turmoil NY bus drivers go through daily! You might think the guy who’s stretching his leg too close to your personal space is frustrating, just try spending a day behind the wheel of a bus. Think of them before venting your blues and be more respectful to them. It may become second nature to you after reading about their salaries and hardships below.

What They Pay for a Hard Day

Every day, NY bus drivers make thousands of stops across the city or town they live in. Letting people on and off the bus is their line of work, and they get paid the big bucks to do so. At least, that’s what people tend to believe. The average bus driver in the state of New York will make roughly $35,000 a year. For perspective, the average 2-bedroom apartment in New York is $1,638.

In some districts, bus drivers will get paid around $12 an hour. That’s getting paid $12 for 60 excruciating minutes of dealing with angry patrons, distressed lunatics, and everything disgusting that’s in between. However, professional bus drivers – who will drive VIPs and other executive personnel – will be paid up to $48,000 a year.

The job doesn’t just pay an average income for above average responsibilities. These unsung heroes get paid in the friendly smiles and greetings by their grateful passengers. Everyone is kind to bus drivers, right?

It’s a Hard Bus Stop Life

Bus drivers are people too. Typically, media will depict them stereotypically as being gross and disgusting. This is far from the truth; however, the working conditions of a bus driver doesn’t help their case.

Often, they are subjected to 12-15-hour work days and may get called into work for overtime. This involves long hours sitting in the same, uncomfortable seat. For some, the only exercise they get is rounds of jaw clenching brought on by disrespectful passengers.

Bus drivers are subjected to the same malarkey as everyone else, except multiple times on the countless routes they make every single day. The person who is playing music from their phone’s speaker or the two guys breaking out into an argument are just a few examples of the personalities that appear on a day-to-day basis. Not to mention the infamous, “My bus fare is somewhere in my purse,” excuse giver. Even bus drivers will get annoyed at the people who search for their fare and hold up lines.

As a bus driver, you must have extreme patience and a cool demeanor to survive the gruesome work days. People can make or break the drivers who work in public transportation. Next time you’re spending time on the bus, try starting up a small conversation with the driver – it might help cut up the monotony of the day. You could even cheer them up. At the very least, wish them a good morning or a pleasant evening. When you have to put up with chaos, it’s nice to have a little acknowledgement.

Top SUV News Stories

SUVs are regarded as America’s favorite type of vehicle. Equipped with extra luggage space, off-roading capabilities and command seating, it’s easy to understand why people prefer this model over other vehicles. You don’t need to take a NY defensive driving course to know that you’re safer in an SUV than other cars. Whether you’re driving a Honda CR-V, Jeep Wrangler, or Land Rover, you know why SUVs are superior among the agglomeration of vehicles out there.

Everyone knows how technically great these cars are, but what about emotionally?

When you own a car, it’s the same level of commitment as adding a member to your family. You build a connection and sense of belonging with the car, despite its biological make-up of gears and metal. You could read about the great benefits these cars offer or you could read about the amazing impact these cars have had on families. Below are the top SUV stories.

We’re not in the car dealership lot, anymore

Texas can experience devastating weather conditions. From harsh floods and ravaging tornadoes, living in the Lone Star state can be a whirlwind at times. Derrick Mason and his family experienced these conditions first-hand and survived when they were caught in an EF3 tornado.

The Mason family had their newborn baby with them when the tornado struck. However, they weren’t in the basement or another safe zone. They were in their SUV. Built to take on the rugged roads, these cars weren’t exactly made to challenge a turbulent tornado that they were about to experience.

After being beaten and blown about, the family escaped the storm with minimal harm done. The durable structure of the SUV protected them as the tornado tossed the vehicle across the Texas fields. Thanks to the stability and, seemingly, extra space, the Mason family were able to see a brighter tomorrow.

Please bear with my SUV

Some bears enjoy honey and picnic baskets. Others love the comfort seating and additional cargo space that an SUV offers. At least that’s true for one bear who got to experience this first-paw in Longwood, Florida.

One family walked outside to the unbearable sight of a bear rummaging through their car – with all the doors shut. The single, furry monster was stuck inside! While trapped in the vehicle, the bear destroyed as much of the seats, interior paneling, and roof as it could.

The most impressive feat wasn’t the bear being stuck in the SUV, but the bear being able to fit inside the car with the doors shut. We knew SUVs were spacious, but we had no idea they were spacious enough to fit an entire bear!

A cushiony drop

SUVs are superb in regards to safety. They have trusted airbags, durable paneling, and… a cushiony exterior. Like a mattress protecting cushioning your fall, a woman in Houston was able to use her Toyota SUV as a soft surface during a devastating accident.

After she confused her acceleration pedal for the brakes, a woman unintentionally drove her SUV off the 3rd floor of a parking garage. The vehicle plunged to the ground between an apartment building. On the inside of the vehicle, the woman experienced very little injuries, if any at all.

To everyone’s amazement, the vehicle was able to cushion the fall and minimize the damage caused by the impact. Next time you’re wanting to snuggle up in bed with a good pillow, try using the paneling from your SUV instead, it might be softer.

The Independent Drivers Guild in New York

Top secret organizations exist throughout the world and are ingrained into the roots of human history. These organizations are shrouded in superstition and mystery, such as the Freemason, The Skull and Bones, and – even – the Illuminati. These societies have been preserved only for the most elite and chosen.

There’s one other organization that has escaped the limelight of popular culture and folklore. However, it’s not as veiled in unknowns as other groups. This organization is the Independent Drivers Guild in New York. They may get together once a month to discuss their favorite defensive driving course online, but, more importantly, they were created out of the need for a unionized force of people who make their living from driving.

To enter the guild, you must be a For-Hire Vehicle worker, employed by a company, who lives in New York. To become a full member, you must pay the monthly dues of $18. The guild has fought and won a slew of victories that have changed the benefits and opportunities for drivers employed by ride sharing companies.

Protecting Hard Earned Pay

The guild is currently working together to achieve equal pay for their members, especially those who have experienced wage discrepancies by taxi and limousine companies. There’s been a trend of financial exploitations and poverty-like wages that drivers are experiencing while employed with these niche companies.

The guild is collecting emails and signatures to bring to the Taxi and Limousine Commission in order to acquire a hearing focusing on discrepancies in wages.

Parking for Bathroom Emergencies

Another major concern the guild is attacking on all fronts is restroom breaks for their drivers. Behind-the-wheel workers can experience grueling, sedentary work days where opportunities to use the restroom can be few and far between – especially in the big city where parking is hard to find. Moreover, taking time to park the car and search for the restroom could cost drivers upwards to hundreds of dollars over time.

The guild of independent drivers is campaigning to make restrooms more accessible to their members through the city. Their first target is Manhattan, where members have an exhausting, time-sensitive experience searching for the next available parking spot. In addition to making bathroom access easier around the city, they are also targeting the bathrooms in JFK airport. Everyone knows the JFK airport bathrooms are the best in the city.

Driver Healthcare Bill

According to a guild survey, 33.6% of its members do not have access to healthcare. The organization wants to change this. They argue that, “It’s appalling that in one of the wealthiest cities in America, the people responsible for the safe transportation of over 200,000 people per day don’t have access to affordable health insurance.” In other words, professional drivers are responsible for helping the people of New York get around every day – they need to be compensated for it.

Make Tipping Easier

The guild recently celebrated a victory in making it easier for drivers to receive tips. In the past, drivers found it challenging to make ends meet with the low wages and exploitation in services. To make matters worse, drivers weren’t receiving tips from their passengers because the apps and their interfaces were making it difficult to do so.

Since their campaign, large ride sharing companies buckled under the pressure and made tipping more accessible to their drivers. The guild is making big waves in the ride sharing industry, especially by protecting their members!

Texting VS. Taking Selfies in your NY Car

Deciding to text or take a selfie is the cornerstone of struggle among this millennial generation. When you’re driving a car, the decision becomes even higher risk because there’s more stakes involved. This impossible decision becomes even more impossible under that kind of pressure.

NY traffic is pretty bad, but even when you’re stuck in a gridlock, you should be focused on the road. You don’t need to pass the best defensive driving course online NY residents can find to know this bit of wisdom.

The best thing to do when you can’t decide if you should text or take a selfie is to focus on driving. In fact, texting or taking a selfie is dangerous regardless if you know which one you prefer to do on the road. But, for the death defying drivers, we’re discovering the best way to spend your distracting driving time. Here’s texting versus taking selfies in your NY car.

Texting While Driving

Texting while driving is a classic strategy to communicate your random driving thoughts, gauge the weekend availability of your friends, or asking “u up?” to your honey during that morning commute. Just about every driver is guilty of sending a short 4 kb message to your friends in your NY car. But, just because it’s tempting to sneak that text while you’re waiting for the light to turn green doesn’t make it alright. You could always – you know – wait until you’re parked and not driving to text.

But, what if you need to know if your roommate is home, because you’re just trying to find some alone time tonight, to binge watch your favorite show on Netflix, and you’re already on the road? That’s an excellent, naive question! You could send the classic “wen u home?” text to your roommate. But, you could also – you know – not do that, because texting while driving is reckless, dangerous, and risks bestowing catastrophic damage to your surrounding area.

If you can’t go a few minutes without sending a message, try something safer. Like hands free, voice to text messaging systems that comes with every cell phone in today’s markets. Another innovative invention is the idea of calling. It’s quicker, safer, and you can do it hands free with fantastic dashboard phone clips. Yeah – do that instead.

Taking Selfies While Driving

Wow! You look beautiful! Especially with the sun enlightening the color in your eyes. The sun glare bouncing off the other cars on the highway really makes you look like a radiate angel. You’re probably thinking this is peak beauty hours for you, and now is the perfect time to snap a selfie to show all your friends how flawless you are. Self-care and confidence is never a bad thing. But, do you know what IS a bad thing? Taking selfies while driving.

Taking a selfie from your NY car makes gives you the opportunity to show off your really cool vehicle interior and ravishing seat belt design. It also gives you the opportunity to rear end the car that’s stopped in front of you. The only thing more dangerous and reckless than texting is taking a selfie.

Even with a dashboard phone clip you run the risk of being so distracted, you end up in wreck. After demolishing your car, you might not be so inclined to take a picture. The very least, use hands free selfie snapping features that come with your phone. But the best way to avoid distracted selfie driving is by waiting until you parked.

Top Vacation Apps Review

In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, travel is frequently made easier with the use of travel apps. While these apps vary greatly in usefulness, here are some reviews based on personal experience with some of the best.

Vegas.Com App

If you’re going to Las Vegas, this app is an absolute necessity. I’ve never seen any other tourist destination have an app, or even a website, that is so all-inclusive. Through the Vegas app, you can book your flight, hotel, and entertainment. But that’s not all. All of these come with huge discounts. The more you bundle your trip together, the more you can save. Deals vary day by day, but it’s a safe bet to assume you can get at least 20% off your hotel. Sometimes that discount can jump to 60% or more for certain hotels. Certain hotels offer discounts to shows or restaurants located within the hotel.

When buying tickets to shows, even without bundling, there are discounts on ticket prices, or sometimes extras, like tickets to a buffet or a free drink (for those aged 21 and up). I used the app myself some time ago, and here are the deals I got. I saved 25% by bundling my flight and hotel together and enjoyed a free trip to the hotel’s buffet. I saw the Cirque Du Soleil show I was interested in. Using the app, I got Category B tickets (lower orchestra) for Category D (balcony) prices. I’ll never go to Las Vegas without first using this app.


Hopper

Flights are expensive, and frequent travelers have picked up on a secret. The prices of flights fluctuate all the time, usually several times every day. Some people have exact formulas on the time to buy plane tickets, but it can’t be that exact, since it varies from one person to another. The one I’ve heard most is that it’s best to buy plane tickets for domestic flights roughly six weeks before the departure date, on a Tuesday, between 3:00 and 4:00 PM, local time. I’ve done that, and that method is far from flawless. However, new apps and websites have popped up that have allowed people to get the best deals possible. My personal favorite is Hopper.

Hopper asks you for your departure location and your destination, then it asks for your travel dates. It color codes the travel dates so you know right off the bat which dates will be cheapest. From there, it lets you know the cheapest fare available at the moment. From there, it also tells you if prices are likely to drop lower than that, and how low they’re likely to drop, including advising to either buy now or wait. It also tells you how much prices will increase and when. Best of all, you can set the app to notify you in the event of a sudden price drop, or to pester you to buy your tickets when the price is best.


HomeAway

HomeAway is an app that has saved my sanity. I imagine that’s not something many apps can claim. A few years ago, my family decided to have a reunion in Yosemite. While the actual event was in a hotel, we were required to drive up and find our own lodging. (Pro tip: for family reunions, it’s better to drive the “luggage car” alone than spend five hours driving with someone who desperately needs a defensive driving course NY.) Even searching a full year in advance, options were extremely limited.

One option was a heated tent (not an option with my 89-year-old grandmother).

The other option was two hotel rooms, each with two twin beds and restrooms down the hall. One would be for my parents, the other for my grandmother and me. Each of those rooms would cost $330 per night, so we would be paying $660 per night for four nights. That was not tolerable for me, so I searched elsewhere.

Enter HomeAway. A quick search through their system brought me dozens of options. People were renting out their vacation homes, and for our needs, these options were both infinitely better and much more affordable than the two tiny hotel rooms. Ultimately, the place we rented had three bedrooms, three bathrooms, parking, a kitchen, a pool table, and a hot tub. The price was $475 per night. In the end, HomeAway saved my sanity, $740, and possibly the lives of my immediate family. I’d give it five stars.

Pros and Cons of Sidewalk Robots in Arizona

A wave of sidewalk robots is taking over the streets of Arizona. The idea of these beneficial bots may sound like an unnecessary element out of a science fiction novel, but Arizona may soon become filled to the sidewalks with these autonomous aides. Thanks to legislation from Governor Doug Ducey of Arizona, these robots are being produced for delivering small objects, such as mail and pizza.

The concept of sidewalk robots is met with some controversy. Could these autonomous robots really be beneficial to society? We’re computing this question by listing the pros and cons of sidewalks robots in Arizona.

Pros

The delivery of small items…

…is convenient for everyone. Whether it’s mail or a pleasant pizza, delivery robots will make everyone’s life easier. It’s every perk of having a deliveryman without the human interaction.

Eco-friendliness…

…is guaranteed. The sidewalk robots don’t use fuel, because they’re powered by a battery charge. This makes them a great green substitute to the usual automobile pizza delivery. If you haven’t caught on, this entire pros/cons list is centered around the efficiency of getting pizza to our front door.

You can say robots roam the streets.

Nothing is greater than bragging to your friends about how your city adopted a new robot delivery system. Larger cities might have courier services, with cyclists whizzing by on the streets, but they don’t have large, 200-lb robots cruising at 10-MPH down the sidewalk.

Affordability…

…has an important role in robot acceptance. The cost to pay a delivery person might outweigh the cost to use an autonomous robot. One sidewalk robot will cost upwards to $10,000 and operators will have to maintain insurance liabilities of $100,000. However, owners can make that money back, over time, with the cost efficiency of not paying a delivery man.

You’ll fall in love.

Move over UPS Delivery Man, because Sidewalk Robot is ’a knockin’ at your front door. If you thought the delivery guy was cute, just wait until you lock eyes with these AI. The biggest benefit is looking at these eye candies roaming about outside. Hubba hubber!

Cons

The legislation states that a cargo less robot must weigh less than 100-lbs and weigh no heavier than 200-lbs with cargo. The legislation also issued a speed limit of 10-MPH. If they exceed this speed limit, they might have to enroll in a defensive driving course. [/framed_box]

Unregulated AI could cause problems…

…and not the usual robot uprising problems. Recently, an autonomous car struck and killed a pedestrian. This accident raised concerns for self-driving technologies everywhere. People are concerned that the unregulated AI could cause another devastating incident, like the recent fatal accident or… a missing pizza.

…are a major possibility. It might be challenging for a thief to swoop up a 200-lb robot driving 10-MPH down the sidewalk during broad daylight. However, anything is possible when an expensive piece of technology goes unattended. The only thing worse than a stolen personal delivery robot is a stolen personal pan pizza.[/framed_box]

Job replacement…

…is a major concern. People earn a living from delivering packages. The robot uprising could turn out to be a real scenario. However, instead of mass deaths, it’ll be mass unemployment.

You’ll fall in love.

It’s better to have loved than to never loved at all. As is the case with falling for these robotic hunks. Love hurts. Just as quickly as they came into your life, they’ll leave it… because their code will never understand the human experience.

What is the Difference Between a Temporary ID and NY Driver’s License?

If you lose your NY driver’s license, can you use your state ID to drive? If you misplaced your New York State ID, you probably need another. Chances are you need your ID immediately, and that is why you were looking for it. Well, you can fix that problem now, without even going to the DMV!

Get the answers to questions about New York State IDs and more right here. At Improv traffic school, you can use either to take a NY defensive driving online course.

Differences Between Non-Driver IDs and Drivers Licenses

Understanding the differences between a non-driver ID and a driver’s license makes it easier to understand the differences between a temporary ID and a driver’s license. You can use your driver’s license in place of your non-driver ID, but you cannot legally drive with an official New York State non-driver ID. Getting both a temporary ID and a temporary license is possible.

You can acquire a temporary ID by applying for an ID at the DMV. Another option is by renewing or replacing an ID through the DMV online or in person. To help you understand, here are some of the main differences between non-driver IDs and driver’s licenses:


Age Requirements

You can get a non-driver ID at any age. You do have to have an adult vouch for you as a guardian if you are under 21. In New York, you must be 16 to apply for a driver’s license. You don’t need a guardian to get a learner’s permit unless that is one of your proofs of identification. This proof is called an MV-45. A learner’s permit is an initial requirement for getting a driver’s license.


Prerequisites

There are no real prerequisites for a non-driver ID, only proofs of identity and fees. There are quite a few conditions for getting a driver’s license. You must get a permit before you can get a license. The written permit test must be passed by approximately 70% to get your permit. After getting your permit in the mail, you can take your physical road test. Upon passing, the driver will receive an interim (temporary) license until the actual driver’s license comes in the mail.


Price

A non-driver ID is relatively inexpensive. However, a driver’s license comes with various costs. You will have application fees, document fees, and fees according to the type of license it is. The prices vary quite a bit by license type and by age.


Eye Exam

You must pass an eye exam to get a driver’s license but not a non-driver ID.


Proofs of Identification

The type of proof you need to obtain a non-driver ID depends on your age. Unless you are using a guardian as part of your proof, the requirements are pretty much the same across the board for a driver’s license.

Similarities Between IDs and Driver’s Licenses

Now that you’ve seen the differences between non-driver IDs and driver’s licenses, look at the similarities. Both are photo IDs you can use as proof of identification at any place requiring evidence. Both are acquired through the DMV and are official. Also, they contain much of the same information about the owner, such as date of birth, address, and individual physical characteristics.


Temporary ID Vs. NYS Driver’s License

After seeing the differences and similarities between non-driver IDs and driver’s licenses, it’s easy to understand what a temporary ID is. A temporary ID is given in place of a permanent ID. It takes about two weeks before you get your permanent ID in the mail. Your temporary ID is a non-photo ID that carries the same weight as the actual ID. Some places still require seeing an additional photo ID if it’s an identification requirement. However, you can legally use it in place of the permanent document.