Extra fees. Hidden fees. They seem to sneak into the price of most products and services, including driving school costs.
Although you may think these prices are “made up” and only serve the purpose of increasing a company’s profit margin, usually the fees are legitimate and go to outside vendors and merchants.

Driving School and Behind-the-Wheel Classes

Gasoline

Driving school prices will fluctuate depending on the state and city of the school. One of the main reasons behind the behind-the-wheel course cost is gasoline prices. If you live in a city with expensive gas prices, then it may be worth it to consider taking a driving class in a different city, which has lower gas prices. Also, some cars have better gas mileage than others. It may be beneficial to find a behind-the-wheel course that will allow you to drive your own car during the class (especially if your own car gets great gas mileage). You may also want to avoid the worst cities for traffic in the US when choosing where to go to driving school.

Instructors

Driving school instructors also charge varying prices. Their hourly rate depends on experience, and again, also city and state.
Do not be tempted to choose a driving school based solely on their price! Make sure the driving instructor is qualified and the school’s curriculum is up to date.
Driving courses could end up costing you hundreds of dollars. If your state doesn’t require taking a driving school to receive a driver’s license and will allow you to practice driving with a family member at home, then it could save you a lot of money if you’ve got the time to train with parents, or with your children.

Online Driver’s Ed

DMV Reporting Fee

Some states will allow individuals to take the written portion of the driver’s ed training online. Prices are competitive for each state, but you may see extra fees added on to these courses as well. You may notice a DMV Certificate Processing Fee tacked on to the course price. This is how much the state’s DMV charges the online school to report their completion to the DMV and to have them add it to the student’s driving record. This amount of money goes straight to the DMV. The online driving school does not get to pocket any of it.

Mailing Fee

You may also see mailing fees added to your online driver’s ed receipt. This, of course, goes to the post office for stamp costs if you choose to have your certificate mailed to you. Some schools offer free downloads, where you can print the certificate from a home computer. Check to see if your school offers this benefit.

Online Defensive Driving Courses

State Fees

Online defensive driving courses are driving courses that can either help remove points off of one’s driving record, stop points from being added to one’s driving record, or give you a reduction on your auto insurance. Because they are dealing with driving records, they are dealing with the state’s DMV or a state’s driver’s license office, and online schools may charge state reporting fees. These fees differ depending on the state. As of 2020, the NY DMV charges $8.00 per certificate, and the Michigan Department of State charges $17.50 for their reporting fee.

Postal Fee

Physically mailing a completion certificate may be mandatory in some states. For those states where it is mandatory, you will see a regular mail fee from $1.00 and up. If you are in a hurry to turn in the certificate to your court, expedited shipping along with extra shipping costs may appear on your bill.

Extra Options, Extra Fees

Online defensive driving schools also may offer various bonus options to make their courses more fun or easier to complete. They may offer an audio read-along or a video option for an additional cost. Extra sample test questions and expedited shipping have also been popular add-on items students will pay extra money to receive.

Online Traffic School Courses

Online traffic schools are driving courses for those who wish to stop the points from a traffic ticket going on their driving record. You may see additional fees for DMV reporting, mailing, audio, video, and expedited shipping on the receipt depending on the online school. Please note that some COURTS will actually charge additional fees for giving you the opportunity to take traffic school. You will pay that fee to the court when you pay your ticket; you will not pay that fee to the traffic school – with one exception:

Arizona Traffic School Exception

Arizona is the only state where you WILL pay the traffic school the court fees if you are eligible to take traffic school. In other states, you will pay the traffic ticket fine and any additional court fees to the court and the traffic school fees to the traffic school. For Arizona, you will pay ALL fees to the traffic school.

The traffic school does not KEEP the court fees, however. They are responsible for paying those fees to the court for you, from your payment.

If you recently received a traffic ticket, need a defensive driving course, or want to take a driver’s education course, click here for the prices and the lowest fees: www.MyImprov.com

The post Driving School Costs – What Are The Extra Fees? appeared first on MyImprov.

It is a fact that vehicles break down or other incidents may happen on the road causing your journey to come to a halt. If these events happen, remember to use one of the lessons learned from CA traffic school online, and use your AAA card. Fortunately, with AAA member services, you can be back on the road in no time. Here is why you should consider Triple AAA insurance for your roadside assistance needs.

24/7 Customer Service

AAA customer service is available around the clock to take care of your needs when on the road. Moreover, the company has fast response units; able to come to your rescue within a short time upon making a distress call. You are assured of assistance whenever you need it.

Get Assistance Wherever You Are

Triple A auto insurance has branches spread out across the country. If you have been wondering, ‘Is there a triple A near me? Then worry no more. You can access the roadside service wherever you are across the USA and Canada in no time. Enjoy peace of mind on the road knowing that someone has got your back covered.

In addition, you can use the Triple A service even if you are carpooling with a friend or family member. The triple A membership provides the benefits to members and not a given vehicle. It means that if you are with someone who has car problems; you can help them get roadside assistance with your card.

Towing assistance

Triple A towing offers to tow your vehicle when it is immobilized due to a mechanical, electrical failure or due to an accident. The vehicle is towed to the nearest garage for fixing. This saves you from spending lots of time on the road trying to fix a problem or waiting for a service center technician to fix your car. The service also guarantees your safety, which comes in extra handy if your vehicle breaks down near an unsafe location, woods or in foul weather. Triple A prioritizes calls made by people in dangerous and unsafe places to get them out of danger as soon as possible.

Prompt Service

All members should always have the AAA phone number with them when they are on the road. This enables them to call AAA swiftly when they run into problems on the road. There is always someone on the other side waiting to respond to their needs or answer their questions.

Enjoy Great Discounts with Your Card

In addition to roadside assistance, you can use your Triple A card to get discounts at selected retail centers, movie shops and gas stations among other areas. You can locate these AAA preferred partners by connecting to the AAA mobile app. You will just click to find a hotel near me or other service provider and you will get directions to the nearest service provider.

Keep Your Card with You Always

If you are asking, ‘Can I use AAA without my card?’ You cannot use the service without the card. However, if you have a friend traveling who has a card with him, he or she can ask for assistance using his or her number. Fortunately, you do not have to carry a physical card. There is a Triple A digital card that you can carry with your AAA app. It is easy to use and very convenient.
Consider enrolling for Triple A service as soon as you leave the traffic school. It will save you from wondering, ‘Is there road assistance near me?’ as you will get quality roadside assistance service wherever you are. As a member, you only need your card and Triple A phone number: 800-AAA-HELP (800-222-4357) and your road problems are sorted.

• For information on When To Call AAA for Road Service, click:
  Six Tips to Know When Calling AAA for Road Service

The post Get AAA Roadside Assistance Now, Call for Triple A Towing appeared first on MyImprov.

If you’re one of those unfortunate drivers to get such a ticket, there is hope. By taking CA traffic school online, you can have your ticket dismissed without having points go on your driving record. Plus, it helps you hone those skills you need to be able to stay focused when behind the wheel. That’s vital for preventing the possibility of there being a “next time” as far as your distracted driving goes.

It Could Happen To You

If all you get is a ticket and the opportunity to take traffic school online, consider yourself fortunate. It’s far too easy to get distracted when you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle. New York Times reporter Eric A. Taub can attest to that. He recently used his journalistic platform to recount how the simple act of turning to speak to his wife, who was seated in the front passenger’s seat during a supposedly average day, sent him careening down a Los Angeles highway at 80 miles per hour. He also recounts his car’s front right wheel spinning toward parts unknown with the left said metal front wheel that was now rolling down the pavement sans tire, sending sparks flying with no Fourth of July or any other cause for pyrotechnic celebration in sight.

The time it took for Taub and his family’s drive to turn into a harrowing experience was four seconds. That’s twice as long as the National Highway and Safety Administration’s two-second rule, meaning that you should never take your eyes from the road when driving for more than two seconds at a time.

Past Mistakes Reoccur

Before you roll those hopefully responsible, road-watching eyes, let’s look back on a major, yet avoidable, disaster that made national headlines in the spring. Remember in March 2018 when the first self-driving Uber car in Arizona struck and killed a pedestrian? It was at night and the pedestrian had the right of way at a crosswalk. That person likely saw the car coming but presumed it would stop while they make their way across the street. After all, they were walking with their bike, which was equipped with reflectors and they’d likely come to rely on – even trust – the fact that nothing would happen. They had probably made that same journey many times before without any problems, whatsoever, and never even gave a thought to doing so that time. Safe assumption, right?
We all know the tragic reality was that this assumption was fatal to that poor cyclist. Sure, the car was still in the testing stages and obstacle-detecting mechanisms that would signal the vehicle’s brakes wasn’t working. But there was someone behind the wheel who could have stopped the vehicle. Instead, they didn’t – because they were glued to their mobile device.

It Doesn’t Have to Happen to You

This is an extreme case that shed light on the fact that today’s drivers are way too easily distracted. It doesn’t have to be a mobile device or even a severe error in judgment. The National Highway and Safety Administration simply describes distracted driving as anything that takes your attention away from driving. So, if this is an issue for you, traffic school online can help you become a focused driver.

The post 2-Second Rule Saves Lives appeared first on MyImprov.

Everyone who drives in California knows that there are rules of the road. However, most people do not know where these rules come from, how they are put into place, or much else about the California vehicle code.

Knowing the traffic laws and the vehicle code in California can help keep you out of trouble with the law. If this is something that you need to brush up on or you need to learn it better to avoid any more trouble, you can consider taking an online traffic school course. This will help you to not only understand the laws better in the state but can help you get your license back if it has been suspended, and more. CA traffic school may be the solution you are looking for so contact us today.

The post Who Writes Traffic Laws in California? appeared first on MyImprov.

But, what would taking an initiative look like?

The bystander effect is when someone assumes another person will handle a situation that is unfolding in front of them. In this case, an AMBER alert. Instead of being a bystander, you can do your part in helping prevent AMBER alerts. It may not be as easy as enrolling in an online traffic school and learning how to drive safely, but it could help to keep our state’s children safe from abductors driving on our highways.

How to Handle an AMBER Alert

During an AMBER alert, a notification is broadcasted out to everyone across the state through media coverage, phone notifications, and – even – email notifications. When you receive an AMBER alert, you will be prompted with a quick identification of a missing child and, potentially, the culprit. Along with this, you will receive information on where they were last seen or where the alert was reported.

Using this information, the AMBER alert system encourages willing bodies to be aware of the description of the people involved with the abduction. This is where the bystander effect comes into play. Most people swipe away the notification and shove the information in the back of their mind.

In the event of an AMBER alert, being aware and willing to respond to suspicious activity is important for everyone. Instead of expecting someone else to handle it, be empowered to speak up when you see someone act out.

If You Spot an Abduction

If you’ve ever wondered what you would do if you spotted an abduction, the first thing you should do is call 911. Reporting the incident is detrimental to the success of returning the victim. However, if you have a child or believe a child to be missing, there is a specialty hotline just for you. Calling 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678) is the national number for guardians who believe their child has gone missing.

When a child is reported missing, their profile is vetted through a quick reporting process to escalate the issue, if need be. Not all AMBER alerts are requested. Some instances of a missing child result in a quick recovery by an individual thwarting the attempt, police intervention, or the child was not missing the entire time.

The important thing to do, when you spot an abduction, is to report it immediately. Falling victim to the inner monologue of “this is someone else’ problem” or “maybe it’s not a kidnapping” doesn’t help the situation. Unfortunately, there are kidnappings that go unreported because of these thought patterns.

AMBER Alert Statistics

In most AMBER alert reports, the perpetrator often turns out to be someone the abductee knows. Usually it’s the parent. In 2017, 13 of the 21 abductions reported involved a parent or guardian related to the victim.

Over the last 3 years, there has been 32 AMBER alerts sent out to California residents to encourage the awareness of vehicles. What’s more impressive is out of those 32 AMBER alerts, all 32 of the victims were recovered. So far, in 2018 there has been 2 AMBER alerts, which is the lowest in the past decade.

The effectiveness of AMBER alerts is phenomenal. Across the country, there has been about 800 children rescued because of the alert system. You can do your part to keep it up!

The post What to do during a CA AMBER Alert appeared first on MyImprov.

If you’ve tried updating your driver’s license in the past year, you may have noticed a few signs that were promoting a new Real ID Driver’s License. This latest issued documentation has been the hottest gossip among DMVs everywhere. Aside from having a flashy title, the Real ID promises to bring some change in how people present their identification.

The only problem is the Real ID Driver’s License is a bit of a mystery to most people.

This latest identification card has people questioning what it is and how it’s important. That’s why we’re putting together everything you need to know about the new Real ID. If there’s one thing your favorite online traffic school knows, it’s everything about licenses.

The Real ID is Real Important

Getting a Real ID is not required by any means. However, the DMV strongly recommends applying for this brand-new identification card. Without a Real ID, you may be restricted from taking domestic flights in the United States.

Starting October 1, 2020, the government will require your driver’s license, permit, or ID card to be Real ID compliant. Below are a few other perks of having a Real ID card. Note, some of these are also built into owning a standard ID.

● Being licensed to drive
● Voting or being registered to vote
● Entering federal facilities
● Receiving federal benefits
● Gaining health services
● Participating in law enforcement proceedings or investigations
● Flying domestically in the United States

The Real ID is a new standardization of minimum security surrounding your identification. Essentially, the federal government is changing the information and details associated with identification. The amount of information is different on the card than your standard ID.

In 2005, the congress passed the Real ID Act, which (you can tell by the name) was the inception of encouraging a new identification card to citizens of the United States. The Real ID Act was passed to combat terrorism and identity theft. Issuing this new government ID will secure people’s identity on a whole new level.

How to get your Real ID Driver’s License

Getting your Real ID is as easy as spending the day at the DMV. In other words, no matter how prepared you will be, you’ll still have to experience going to the DMV. The Real ID cannot be issued over the phone or through mail.

To get your Real ID, you will be required to have the correct documentation. This includes:
● Proof of identity, such as a license, birth certificate, or passport. (Must include first, middle, and last name)
● Proof of social security card
● Proof of your date of birth
● Proof of U.S. citizenship
● Proof of New York residence (or any state that you currently live in,) such as a utility bill, bank statement, or mortgage payment
● If your name does not match the name on the identification due to a governmental approved name change, you must bring in documentation recording that process.

Once you have all these documentations gathered together, you must pay the DMV a visit. Present these documents and request a Real New York ID, to begin the process of updating that bland standard ID into something a little more exciting.

The Real ID will come with a golden star on the top right of your New York issued ID. The gold star is a clear sign that the ID is Real, but it’s also the federal government’s way of saying “good job!”

• For information About California ID Cards click:
  California ID Cards
• Learn all about the ins and outs of obtaining and renewing a California Driver’s License in our comprehensive guide.

The post All About New Real ID Driver’s License appeared first on MyImprov.

When you draw a mental image of what the American court system looks like, it’s easy to conjure a romanticized view. The mental gymnastics of legality; Shouting lawyers arguing, objecting, witnesses struggling to remember or ardently denying truisms—it’s a thrill.

But this is Los Angeles traffic court.

The land of the most grueling, forcefully expedited, bite-size cases shoveled onto a graveyard of failed appeals. It’s not ideal.

The best way to avoid a citation or ticket is to equip yourself with the necessary skills and knowledge through online traffic school. But, to err is human—and sooner or later, something will probably happen; you’ll misread a sign or be forced to make an illegal last-second maneuver that will land you a citation. So, here’s what to do, and what to expect.

It’s Incredibly Difficult to Appeal a Citation

If a citation is thrown out, it’s typically done so because the accusing officer fails to show up in court to defend his or her citation. Otherwise, it’s you defending yourself against the world and/or evidence of a police officer. Your word against theirs. If your citation is an unreasonably hefty or serious one, you might consider finding a lawyer to appeal for you, but that can end up costing you quite a bit as well. Which leads us to the next point:

Balance Your Priorities

Appealing your case in court takes time and energy and involves a slight bit of risk. And as said above, if you involve a lawyer, it may then involve a monetary investment. In some cases, unfortunately, it may be in your best interest to swallow your pride and simply pay off the citation to get rid of it, rather than draw it out in a longer legal battle that doesn’t guarantee a better outcome.

Provide Evidence

The strongest force in your favor is evidence and/or witnesses. If you can provide proof that your citation was unwarranted within the context of the situation, especially when confirmed by evidence or a disinterested third party, the case can swing heavily in your favor.

Stay True to Your Story

Know the details of the incident. Even small details that help paint a picture and demonstrate an acute memory to the judge. Stay consistent, be ready to answer any question regarding what happened. And remember, you are under oath. Lying is perjury—a felony in the state of California.

Keep It Quick

When appealing in traffic court, you’ll typically be lined up with everyone else appealing their citation slated for a certain date. If you’re lucky, your case could be among the first called forward. But even if you’re last, you’ll notice how quickly the hearings fly by. The sheer number of them forces the judge to speed things right along the conveyor belt.

So, you won’t have all the time in the world to state your case and make your claim. Nor will the judge have too much patience for you to do so. Give your best case to prove your innocence in as little time as possible. The longer the hearing goes on, the more likely the judge will grow frustrated and annoyed.

Be Polite

Some of the most successful lawyers and defendants know how to charm a jury. In your case, it will likely just be a judge you have to convince, but it never hurts to go the extra mile to show respect and civility toward both the judge and your accuser. The ability to which you handle yourself emotionally and rhetorically reflects on the character the judge will ultimately find guilty or innocent—so stand firm and defend yourself vehemently but do so with courtesy and respect.

The post LA Traffic Court – What to Know appeared first on MyImprov.

If everyone decided to enroll in traffic school, we might see a lot less traffic on the roads. But, alas, that day may never come. In the meantime, we can all take pleasure in convincing our friends, coworkers and family members that our traffic tales are the tallest. Everyone has a unique traffic story, and, today we’re compiling a list of the most compelling stories that happen while gridlocked. Here are our top 5 traffic stories.

Baby Birth on Board

In 2013, Atlanta, Georgia experienced a horrific snow storm that brought all cars on its major highway to a halt. People were livid at the sight of mother nature’s white fury covering the roads. They had places to be and people to visit. One couple in particular had somewhere to be – and it was the hospital.

The couple was pregnant with a child and they were on their way to the hospital to give birth. The traffic created a road block for them, but not the baby. “Alice” was there to witness the couple give birth to a baby, with the help of others, in a snowstorm… in traffic. Afterwards, there was a soiree at the nearby Taco Bell to party.

Highway Horsepower

It was just another day for “Bill and Diane.” They were commuting to work in Houston, Texas, the sky was clear, and there was an unusual amount of traffic on the road. In the corners of their eyes, something caught their attention.

As they turned around, they saw a long line of horses walking through the gridlock traffic being manned by their riders. The rodeo was in town, and the horse riders were caravanning to town via horseback. It was a great time for rodeo fans, but a bad time for the 9 to 5’ers.

Changing Perspective

Writer “Antonio” was sitting in traffic one day – as he did every day. Relatable, we know. To the right of his car, a person began honking sporadically. “Antonio” noticed their car was rear ending the vehicle in front of them.

“Antonio” rolled down his window to give the reckless driver a piece of his mind, but, before he could say anything, the driver snapped back at him. They weren’t rear ending the car in front of them, because the car in front of them was backing into them. Just then, “Antonio’s” perspective of the road completely changed.

Needle Through the Thread of Traffic

Seattle is known for its coffee and rain. However, what people often forget is the amount of traffic located in the seaport city. “Will Sanders” was retired and vacationed to the city once a year. From his hotel room, he could see the famous Space Needle in the distance. Then, as every curious tourist decides to do, he got in his car to check out the tower.

What was hoped to be a curious trip through the city turned out to be a horrific experience in stand-still traffic. It took Sanders two and a half hours to finally give up on his journey and head back to his hotel room. After parking, he walked to the Space Needle… in 10 minutes.

Typhoon Season

A lot can happen in 12 hours. For 14-year old Patricia Lontoc, it was getting to know her mom and dad a little bit more while they were in standstill traffic. The reason for the traffic jam was because a typhoon was striking their area.

Where Lontoc is from, Typhoons are a natural part of the season. However, what wasn’t a natural part of the season, was the irreplaceable experience she gained from getting to know her family a bit closer.

The post Top 5 Traffic Stories appeared first on MyImprov.

So, what should you do if you hit an animal in California?

The roads are teeming with wildlife. They might not know the California traffic school rules for animal, which is to look both ways before crossing the road. Therefore, the chances of you eventually hitting an animal is high. That’s why it’s important to know how to handle the situation when you hit a large animal that could leave destructive damage. Here’s what to do if you hit an animal in California.

Stop the car and access the damage

After hitting an animal, the first thing you should do is stop the car and assess the situation. It will also provide you with a moment to calm down from taking a life and see if you have developed a thirst for more blood. When your nerves are calm, you can now exit the vehicle to check for damages on your car.

Don’t approach the animal if it’s injured

If the animal is still alive, approaching it could be dangerous. You should always err on the side of caution in these situations. That means do not approach the animal. Unless you can confirm its condition, you could risk being injured by a very angry deer, coyote, or domestic house cat. Animals are known to lash out when they’re injured… or worse, when they’re hungry.

Shower the body with roses

As part of every traditional act of hitting an animal, you must shower the body with roses. This is to ensure that the corpse will smell nice until someone else comes by to remove it. Moreover, you will feel a little bit better about having slayed a beast with your car after dousing the body with roses. Alternatively, you could use lilies, tulips, or sunflowers. Doing so is the only way you can ensure good karma for the future.

Call the police

The best thing to do when you hit an animal is to call the police. Getting a hold of the authorities will allow them to use their expertise to assist you and the animal. They will also help move the animal if it’s obstructing the roads. When in doubt, call the police out.

Partake in a ritual burial

Partaking in the ritual of burying the animal is a great way to wrap up the horrific event. Doing so will allow the beast to enter through the gates of Valhalla and find eternal peace… and clear it from the road so others won’t have to swerve around it. You will also get in a nice workout digging a six-foot hole. Everybody wins… sort of.

Remove the corpse from the road, if it’s obstructive

When it comes to large bodies obstructing the road, you should seek to move the body. The body can become a hazard for oncoming traffic and will risk creating more accidents. This can be done by calling the local authorities and informing them about the decision. Technically, the local council is responsible for moving the body of the animal. However, if you feel so inclined to move it yourself, go ahead, weirdo.

The post What to Do If You Hit an Animal in CA appeared first on MyImprov.

Skkrrch… crash! That’s what the sound of a car wreck looks like written out. Car wrecks are bad. What makes them worse is when the other driver flees the scene of the accident. Whether you were T-boned, rear-ended, or fender bended, it’s never a fun sight when you are involved in a CA hint and run and the culprit speeds off leaving you stuck on the side of the road.

So, what do you do after a hit and run?

Your blood could be boiling, but that doesn’t mean your brain has to. Remain calm and follow our guide. Leave it to the best online traffic school CA has to offer to provide you with the information needed to turn a hit and run into a hit and file a police report. Below is what you should do when you’ve been involved in a CA hit and run.

Pull over on the side of the road

Seeing the culprit speed off is not a good feeling. But despite the rage building in your gut, chasing after them is impulsive and dangerous. The last thing you want to do is enter a high-speed car chase in a damaged vehicle. Any situation you find yourself driving recklessly is never a good situation. Even if it is chasing down the person who just bent your back bumper. Prioritize safety over all.

Pulling off on the side of the road will give you the chance to assess the damage done on your car. Additionally, you will be able to remove all obstruction from the road. Being cooperative is the best way to offset a vicious hit and run.

Call the police and stay at the scene

The next step is to call the police. After you have assessed the situation, call the police to begin your police report. This will also help you track down the driver who struck your car by providing any information you may have gotten from the collision. Any police officers will help you collect all the information you need to provide proof of the accident to your insurance company. Such as a report, photos, and testimonials.

Find witnesses who saw the incident

If the accident happened in a public location, try and find a witness who will speak on your behalf. Witnesses can also help you identify the vehicle that hit your car. This will help with providing an accurate report of the accident when the police arrive. That kind Samaritan might also help you pick up your fender!

Keep a notepad and pen on you

It is imperative to keep your story straight and accurate. When it comes to dealing with law enforcement, and perhaps even the court system, your credibility to a judge and/or jury will depend heavily on your consistent ability to provide information and accurately recall the events that took place. Don’t shy away from taking details that might seem unimportant to the actual hit and run, like where you were headed, where you were coming from, traffic conditions, etc. Demonstrating a solid memory of the event will only help your case.

Make sure you’re insured and covered

In California, it is illegal to drive a vehicle without financial responsibility (typically auto insurance). While it might not affect the hit and run case, it will definitely get you into trouble, not only with the law, but financially speaking, as you might end up personally liable for damages.

The post Were You Involved in a CA Hit and Run? appeared first on MyImprov.