Your License is Good Until You’re 50 Years Old

Most states have set times that a license is good for, such as three years or five years. But with the State of Arizona, a driver’s license is good until the license holder turns 50. That’s true whether the license is issued when you’re 16 or when you’re 49. You won’t get a license renewal notice in the mail, so you want to make sure you’re paying attention to when the license expires. Make a note of it somewhere and be aware that you’ll need to do a few things to keep your license valid up until you turn 50, as well.

 Vision Test

Even when your license isn’t up for renewal, you must have your vision tested every 12 years. You’ll need to do that at the DMV, in person, and you’ll also need to prove your identity when you come in for that test. You can show them your current driver’s license and one other document, such as a passport or a social security card. If you pass the vision test there won’t be any problem with your license, and it will continue to stay valid until you reach 50 years old. If you fail the vision test, you may need to see an eye doctor or have your license suspended or revoked.

Keeping Your Picture Updated

When you come into the DMV for your vision test, you’ll also need a new photo taken. A person’s appearance can change quite a bit in 12 years, so it’s important that you have a photo that reflects your true appearance. You can’t bring in a photo of yourself, as you must have the picture taken there at the DMV. There are special rules for this if you’re in the military and stationed far away from home, as you can get a license that states it’s valid without the photo until you can get back to the DMV in person to have your photo updated.

After 50, Your License Needs Renewed Every Five Years

Once you turn 50, the rules change. Your license will only be valid for five years, and you’ll need to renew it completely for each five-year period. You won’t be able to just have a new picture taken and take a vision test. There are fees each time you renew a license, as well, but they’re lower for people who are over 50. Those who have a suspended license will need to get it reinstated before having it renewed, and those who are getting a Travel ID will only see their license be valid for a maximum of eight years. These special circumstances and licenses must be treated the right way, and it’s well worth your time to visit the DMV if you have questions or concerns about your license or its renewal.

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There are many reasons why states require people to register their cars. Part of the reason is for taxation. But other reasons include keeping track of who owns what car, figuring out the number of cars on the roadways, and ensuring the vehicles on the roads are safe. If you are looking to register a new vehicle or pay your current registration for an existing vehicle, you may wonder if this is something you can do online. The answer to this question varies based on the state you are in. Here are a couple popular states and the information you need to know about how to register a car online in these states.

• For information on AZ Emissions Testing, click:
  AZ Emissions Testing

• For information About How to Register a Car in California click:
  How to Register a Car in California
• For More Information On Drivers License Status CA and License Renewals, Click: Check Drivers License Status CA and License Renewals

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The state of Arizona makes use of several unique methods to nab speeders. Arizona drivers must be aware of stationary traffic cameras, officer radar guns, unmarked police cars and beyond. If you are pulled over for speeding, you will likely receive a fine as well as points on your driving record/license.

It is important to note that specific speeding fines differ by city and county. As an example, someone caught speeding in Flagstaff will not face the same fine as someone who is nabbed speeding in Tucson. Additionally, those who have not been caught speeding in the past will likely face less of a fine than those who have received multiple speeding tickets.

Start Your Online Course Now to Dismiss Your Ticket

The table below displays the top 5 counties Arizona drivers get caught speeding in. Traffic school prices differ based on individual court diversion fees. Take a look at the ultimate savings here:

For complete list of AZ Court Diversion Fees: Click Here

• For information on Speeding Ticket in Virginia, click: Virginia Speeding Ticket? Fines Info & More

• For information on AZ Emissions Testing, click:
  AZ Emissions Testing

• For information on How much is a Speeding Ticket in Alabama?, click:
  How much is a Speeding Ticket in Alabama?

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One of the biggest and best benefits of having a driver’s license is the independence that it brings. Once you have acquired your driver license, you’re basically free to go wherever you please. But there are some caveats to consider. Your driver license will only get you so far. In some cases, you may have to have other documentation to travel. So, can you travel with your driver license? Yes and no.

• For More Information On Applying for a New California Driver’s License (For Teens), Click: Applying for a New California Driver’s License (For Teens)

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A space cushion. This is something they tell you about in defensive driving class. What is a space cushion? It sounds top secret. Like something, NASA and the government need to keep hidden in order to protect us from beings from outer space. That’s right. Space beings. Aliens. Martians from a distant planet, maybe Mars, who have entered our atmosphere and are looking for a way to relax. After all, space travel must be exhausting. Imagine sitting there, in your UFO spacecraft seat, for millions of miles. Completely tiring. No wonder those men from Mars need a space cushion. A place to lay down their big brainy heads for a little cat nap.

No, sorry, that’s not what a space cushion is. Although, that is a novel idea. So, what exactly is a space cushion?

What is a Space Cushion?

A space cushion is an area around your vehicle that is just empty space. No other vehicles are in that space. The space cushion area includes the space in front of, behind, and on both sides of your car.

Why Have a Space Cushion?

A space cushion gives you time and opportunity to avoid collision with another vehicle. If you don’t have a space cushion, then any sudden movements by other vehicles can catch you with no way out of the situation. In fact, with no space cushion around your vehicle, you have limited options if you yourself have a sudden emergency or a sudden movement. Consider this: Imagine you’re driving in your car, and one of your tires blows. The sudden drop in tire pressure will likely cause your vehicle to swerve dramatically to one side. You obviously won’t know which side your car will swerve on, because it came out of the blue. You could swerve right into another car, or even a pedestrian. This is why you want to have a space cushion.

How to Make a Space Cushion

First, you don’t need sewing lessons to make a space cushion. We thought we cleared up all that nonsense about aliens needing naps about two paragraphs ago. So please put away the needle and thread. And the thimble. Okay, let’s get down to the business of defensive driving by making a space cushion.

First, you want to have at least a three-second delay from the rear end of the vehicle in front of you to the front of your car. This is the easiest part of the space cushion to make. As you’re driving, pay attention to the signs on the side of the road. If you’re on the freeway, you can use the signs overhead. As the car in front passes by the sign, count to three (yes, you can use Mississippi). Your car shouldn’t pass that same sign before you’ve reached three. If it has, you’re following too closely. Slow down, Speed Racer.

Second, you want the car behind you to slow down so there’s a three-second delay between you. Now, you can’t tell that driver how to drive. But you can let that driver pass if he insists on tailgating you, (maybe he has to get to a bathroom or something. Who knows)? Anyway, just let him go by.

Finally, you don’t want any cars next to you. How do you manage this? By adjusting your speed either up or down so that you aren’t riding along with James Dean’s style in some kind of misconceived road race on the highway.

Now that you know what a space cushion in, why it’s necessary, and how to make one, you’d best be on your way. Leave plenty of time between your departure and your arrival so you’re never the one tailgating.

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Almost every kid yearns for the day when they can be old enough to learn how to drive. Getting that driver’s license is a rite of passage that carries so much meaning. For most young drivers, learning how to drive symbolizes freedom and responsibility. It’s a giant leap away from childhood and a small step toward adulthood. Once you learn how to drive, you can go places without your parents, run errands for your parents, get a job that’s beyond walking or bicycling distance, and go on real dates. It’s an amazing time in life that happens only once.

Drivers Ed

How you learn to drive depends on where you live and what your situation is. If you go to a school where they offer Drivers Ed, you might learn how to drive with a bunch of your friends sitting in the back seat, which is simultaneously a blast and intimidating. If driving school is affordable, you might learn about defensive driving from a stranger. Your last – and sometimes preferable option – is to learn how to drive from your parents or a family friend. However, you officially learn about defensive driving, there’s probably a bunch of stuff you didn’t learn. But don’t worry. We’re here to fill in the gaps. Here’s the guide on how to drive that you’ll never hear from anyone else.

Watch Other Drivers’ Faces

When you watch driving videos, they always tell you to “look out for other cars.” But defensive driving requires more than that. You can get a whole lot of information about what a car is going to do by watching the driver’s face. Say you’re coming up on an intersection. The driver of the car at the stop sign is laughing and talking to his buddy. Every now and then his car creeps forward. He can’t wait to zip out. Does he see you coming? Keep an eye on that driver to make sure he looks at you. If he doesn’t, there’s a good chance he might pull out right in front of you. To be on the safe side, slow down or move to the next inside lane.

Don’t Double Pedal

Your right foot is for driving, and your left foot is for the clutch if you have a manual transmission. Don’t double pedal with your left foot hovering over the brake and your right foot hovering over the accelerator. This is a bad habit that can lead to a) overuse of brakes, b) an accident. Just don’t do it.

Don’t Eat in the Car

Yes, your mom’s car is full of Burger King wrappers. You grew up at the drive-thru. That’s what drive-thrus are for, right? We’ve heard it all before. But eating in the car is a bad, bad idea. First, you could choke, and trying to maneuver your car out of traffic and danger is a lot harder when you’re also trying to not choke to death. Second, if you’re eating, you’re not holding the wheel with both hands. Third, eating in the car is messy business. You’ll end up trashing your car, getting stains on your clothes and not paying attention to the task at hand, which is, ahem, driving. Eating in the car puts your life at risk. Burger King won’t tell you that, but we will.

Drive Safe!

So now that you know the real secrets to knowing how to drive, we feel confident you’re ready for adulthood. Learning how to drive is something that almost everyone hopes to accomplish one day. But do you want to know the best part of learning how to drive? It’s learning how to drive safely.

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Are you enrolled in traffic school and feeling a bit nervous about the expectations? If so, you are not alone. Most people experience some degree of anxiety. It is quite normal.

However, you should calm down. The goal of traffic school is to make you a safer driver. The curriculum is not set up for you to fail. Instead, quite the opposite is true. The institution wants you to comprehend the material as fully as possible. Your success is their success.

This all sounds well and good, but you also know that in the end you have to complete a certain amount of work with a passing score. Keep reading below to find out just where to turn for answers to your traffic school assignments.

Use this information to help get a passing score. Then, enjoy the safe driver record and dismissal of tickets. And, of course, do not forget the mandatory insurance discount.

I’m struggling with my online traffic school course, what should I do?

You would be surprised at how easy things can be when you use a little common sense. Just stop trying to make traffic school so difficult and all will be smooth sailing.

When things get tough, just sit back and relax. You have been a driver for some time now. The answer is probably the one that seems right to you. Use your intuition.

For example, the rules of the road exist to protect motorists and pedestrians. You already know this. So, use this knowledge to help you figure out the answers to your traffic school questions. If a choice does not help keep people safe on the road, then you can discard it.

Can I ask friends & family for help with my online traffic school?

The people around you, such as family and friends, are excellent sources of information on traffic laws. Many of them have been driving for decades and know all the rules in your state. Be sure to ask them for help when trying to complete your course.

It may be best to rely on more than one person for the answers. You will want a variety of opinions. Listen to what everyone has to say, check your course material again and then choose the best answer.

How can I use the internet as a source for answers with my traffic school online?

You should search the internet for relevant driving websites. Your state motor vehicle department will have the current rules of the road available online. Likewise, the state insurance department can provide you with information on auto insurance requirements.

Last, the state court website can explain what will happen if you break the laws while behind the wheel.

What about the instructor of the online traffic school course, can I ask them for help?

If truly stuck with nowhere to turn, then ask your instructor for help. Now, you should always be sure to have attempted to find the answer yourself first. Quite often, wayward students will skip the reading material or fail to follow instructions and then expect the instructor to bail them out.

Truly attempt the assignment before asking for the instructor to explain it to you. Doing so will make their explanation that much more comprehensible.

Traffic school success is right around the corner!

You are now prepared to complete your traffic school with flying colors. Just take things easy and you will succeed in becoming an acknowledged safe driver in your state.

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Where would we be without the test drive?

Probably more unsatisfied customers – new owners may discover that a vehicle that looked great and had good reviews didn’t “feel right” once he or she got behind the wheel. This could lead to more buyer’s remorse and owners either changing their minds right away, or hanging onto it unhappily for years, vowing never to return to that dealer again.

Good for Sales

Either way is bad news for the salesperson, since it’s their job to find the right car for the right owner and hopefully build strong relationships that last for multiple vehicles. Making prospective buyers comfortable by letting them try before they buy goes a long way in making purchases happen.

Certainly some enjoy driving several types of vehicles before finding something that appeals to them, or spend the weekend just doing test drives – and that’s OK with most dealership employees, especially if they eventually end up making a purchase.

Good for You

Some people may even visit a dealership or dealerships with the intent of test driving only, not buying. That’s OK too. The biggest challenge for a dealership is getting people to the lot, and once they’re there, it’s potentially much easier to talk them into a super deal.

Though some lot visitors are obvious browsers, they still should be given the same attention as any other shopper even if the pay-off may come later rather than sooner. Most salespeople need to always be focusing on their numbers, and taking time for a ride with another looky-loo can sometimes cut into time helping more serious customers. But from a customer service point of view, you never know which drive will switch a tester into a buyer.

Here’s why test drives are important to the buyer and seller:

1. Buyers remain educated.

Want to learn more about a particular make or model? The best way is to give one a spin and see how it performs. It’s one thing to read the specs online, but more satisfying to feel it, and then remember the experience when it’s time for shopping.

2. One drive may not be enough.

If you’re serious about a particular auto but don’t need to rush, you can test drive multiple occasions. Try it on rainy and sunny days, in daylight or night, or even on daily errands or heavy traffic so more defensive driving skills are required. This gives you more time to learn about other costs, such as different insurance premiums or discounts.

3. It can be fun.

Even if the dealership can offer nice financing and your budget could stretch a little, you might prefer to not take on new debt right now. But testing different cars and doing your homework can still be entertaining, even if the gratification is delayed. You can also try something outside of your price range, just for the experience.

4. It encourages the salesperson to try harder.

As a consumer, you’re likely to want to work with a salesman or saleswoman who you know and trust. And someone who has been patient with your browsing habits is definitely appealing. The better salespeople can even keep an eye out for certain vehicles that may interest you.

5. You can win things.

As a way to get more people visiting, some dealerships offer no-obligation incentives for people who test drive, such as event tickets, gift cards or small appliances. The sales staff is encouraged to work their magic to convert all test drivers into buyers, but legally the promised prize is yours if you satisfy certain conditions like join a mailing list.

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The Benefits of a Manual Transmission

One of the primary benefits of a stick shift is improved fuel economy. Most vehicles equipped with a manual transmission achieve higher mpg than vehicles with an automatic transmission. Furthermore, vehicles equipped with a stick shift tend to cost less than vehicles with an automatic. Another key advantage to owning or leasing a vehicle with a manual transmission is that it is comparably secure. If your vehicle is broken into, the odds of the thief knowing how to drive a stick shift are fairly low. A manual transmission really is an anti-theft device in and of itself.

Yet the primary motivation for selecting a vehicle with a stick is feel. Controlling the shifts between gears makes one feel as though he is a race car driver. It is a ton of fun to upshift and downshift while traversing the roads. If you get a vehicle with a manual transmission, you will likely be tempted to get to fourth or fifth gear as quickly as possible and drive at a high rate of speed. It could result in a speeding ticket. If you are nabbed speeding, enroll in defensive driving for an auto insurance discount. You can also enroll in traffic school to have your ticket dismissed or reduced.

The Drawbacks of a Manual Transmission

The main drawback of a stick shift is the learning curve. Most people do not want to invest the time and effort required to learn this style of driving. Furthermore, constantly shifting between gears is somewhat tedious. If you aren’t particularly skilled at operating a stick, you might make a mistake that leads to an accident or a traffic ticket. Those who lack coordination might find it difficult to use both arms and legs in unison on the steering wheel, stick shift, gas and clutch pedals. Another problem with the manual transmission is that few people know how to operate it. If you have one too many drinks, feel sick or are injured, the odds of someone in your group being able to operate a stick shift are low.

The Benefits of an Automatic Transmission

The beauty of an automatic transmission is that the vehicle shifts through the gears on your behalf. There is no need to divert your attention to a clutch pedal or stick shift. You can keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times and consequently, reduce the odds of an accident. Also, consider a situation in which you can’t drive your vehicle due to an injury or sickness. If you have a friend or family member with you, this individual can drive your vehicle on your behalf. Another advantage of the automatic transmission is that it makes stop-and-go traffic tolerable. The same cannot be said of a vehicle with a manual transmission that requires a constant pressing of the clutch and shifting between gears to go from a complete stop to forward movement repeatedly during heavy traffic.

The Negatives of an Automatic Transmission

Automatic transmissions cost more than the manual variety. Automatic transmissions also provide less miles per gallon than manuals as they use a torque converter to alternate between gears. Automatic transmissions typically require more maintenance than manuals due to their comparably complex engineering. Thieves are much more likely to steal a vehicle with an automatic transmission as it does not require any sort of specialized knowledge or skill to operate.

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Type

There are hemispherical shaped helmets that are designed to protect the head from the ears up and helmets that cover the entire head from just below the chin line. There are also helmets that look like football helmets.

Outer Shell

The outer shell is designed to absorb most of the impact in an accident, lessening the amount of force that will reach your skull. When considering the geometry of the helmet (sphere-like) any impact will be distributed throughout the helmet. In a perfect sphere, an impact (a force) will be evenly distributed. This is the case in a motorcycle helmet, except we ought to understand that the helmet is not a perfect sphere.

Liner

The next level of protection is found in the liner of the helmet. This unit of protective layer is an impact-absorbing liner. This liner will absorb residual forces not absorbed by the outer shell. While the liner is also shaped like a sphere, forces will be, ideally, distributed evenly. The material of the inner liner is usually made of Styrofoam, a material not as hard and impact resistance as the outer-liner.

Padding

The third section of a helmet is called the comfort padding. It functions as what its name indicates. It provides comfort, mainly. The comfort padding also ensures that the helmet fits snuggly on the head. A loose, or ill fitting helmet will not absorb as much of the forces as a well-fitting, snug helmet.

Retention System

The fourth component of the called the retention system, more commonly referred to as the chin strap. Obvious to many, the chin strap helps to ensure that the helmet stays on your head in the event of a crash. The other elements of the retention system are the devices that attach the chin strap to the helmet. A loose chin strip reduces the effective safety designs of the entire helmet.

DOT

Regardless of the type chosen, make sure that they are rated by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Of the four basic components, the most important element is the outer section of the helmet, called the outer shell. Modern technologies have found plastics and fiber reinforced composites that allow for high strength, light weight outer shells.

The DOT sticker and the Snell Memorial Foundation run thorough tests on motorcycle helmets for:

Impact—The helmet’s shock absorbing capacity
Penetration—The helmet’s ability to withstand the penetration a sharp object
Retention—The ability of the retention system to fastened to the helmet
Peripheral vision—The helmet’s ability to allow side vision of no less than 105 degrees on each side.

Regardless or the style of helmet or how seasoned you are as a motorcyclist (okay, biker) it is important to check your helmet for the safety features designed to protect you from breaking your head.

SAFETY

No doubt, wearing a helmet while operating or riding on a motorcycle is necessary to reduce the probability of death or life-long debilitating injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) studies have determined that deadly accidents are a higher probability when helmets are not worn.

No matter how macho you want to be, wearing a helmet is the thing to do.

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