Location and Distance Between Home and School

Where you live is a big factor in whether a hardship license will be granted.

In metropolitan areas with extensive public transportation, hardship licenses are less likely to be necessary. For example, if a teenager needs to get to school ten miles away in San Francisco, it’s not a big deal. They can just wake up a few minutes early and hop on the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit). San Francisco has mastered public transportation, so there are very few circumstances where a young teen would need to drive.

Los Angeles is less proficient, but still, between the bus system and Uber, teens can pretty much find their way wherever they need to go.

But in more rural areas, attending school ten miles away could be a real problem. Despite the old adage about people walking to school ten miles away, barefoot, in the snow, uphill both ways, that actually sounds a whole lot like child abuse by today’s standards. The hardship license is a much healthier alternative.

This requires a signed letter from the principal, explaining that there are not any other viable transportation options to reliably get the teenager to school.

Illness

Speaking of health, one valid reason to get a teen hardship license is for health concerns.

For example, there is a teenager with a need for doctor’s appointments that are only available when the teen’s parents are working. That teen may be granted a hardship license so that they can drive themselves to their appointments. Alternately, there could be a parent suffering from an illness which prevents them from driving the teen to school. That would also be a valid reason, in the eyes of the state, to obtain a hardship license.

In cases where there are medical reasons to need that license, the state will require a letter from the doctor. That letter would need to describe the condition and give an estimated date when the situation may be resolved.

Work

If a teenager is working to supplement their family’s income, that’s a solid indicator the teen is responsible enough to have a hardship license. Keep in mind, this isn’t like having a summer job for some extra cash. The job would need to be necessary to the teen’s family for their financial well-being in order to qualify for a hardship license. To get the hardship license for that reason, a parent would need to send in a written statement detailing the financial need of the teenager’s job. Of course, the teen would also need to have no other options to get to work than to drive.

Do You Need To Get A Permit First?

In short, no. You do not need a permit to apply for a hardship license. But don’t worry. They’ll have plenty of other hoops for you to jump through.

Under normal circumstances, the minimum California driver’s permit age is 15 ½ years old. Also, a permit can usually only be obtained after completing a driver’s education course. The next step would be to take and pass a permit test at the DMV. From that date, new permit holders must wait six months before becoming eligible to test for their licenses. Even if they turn 16 less than 6 months after earning their permits, they must have the permit for six months before being able to test for the license.

On the other hand, if a driver reaches the age of 18 and has never had a valid license, that driver can skip the driver’s ed course and test for a permit. That permit has a little more freedom than the standard teenage permit, but there are still limitations until the full driver’s license can be earned.

Here’s the Plan

The major players in the electric vehicle infrastructure plan consists of three familiar utilities: Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Southern California Edison. Together, these three utilities are fronting the $768 million to fund the infrastructure that will be built throughout California.

The San Francisco Chronicle stated:

The major target is large, gas guzzling vehicles. The California Public Utility Commission (PUC) declared that 40% of the state’s greenhouse gas emission was the result of transportation. Large vehicles that consume gas are now on the chopping block to get a shocking transformation. Literally!

This infrastructure is created to incentives consumers and transportation industries to switch over to electric vehicles. By building the infrastructure, the PUC hopes to spur the next great wave of electric cars on the roads. It would also be nice having less smog in the morning.

However, with all the infrastructure plan heating up, residents are still not sold on the idea.

The People’s Problem

The infrastructure upgrade is leaving EV owners to rejoice in the news. However, some residents think the funds could be allocated better. One resident expressed concerns about the success of investing in EV by stating, “A superior expenditure would be upgrading the standard rail system in California and re-building critical portions of the system for high-speed standard railroad.” While others suggest that funds could be spent on “pav[ing] a lot of streets.” This sounds like the opinions of non-electric vehicle owners.

The concerns for the EV infrastructure has some questioning whether consumers will adapt quickly enough. The International Energy Agency (IEA) states that “the numbers are all trending positively, but likely not positively enough. Policy changes are needed to spur faster electric vehicle adoption.” With the California Public Utility Commission unanimously voting to invest nearly $1 billion into their electric vehicle infrastructure, more states could follow. Especially if this incentivizes more consumers to purchase electric vehicles, causing a higher demand for the infrastructure.

Throughout the world, more and more countries are increasing their usage of electric vehicles. It’s a shocking time for the auto-industry. Slowly, but surely, electric vehicles are finding their trend among businesses and independent consumers.

• For information About How to Register a Car in California, click: How to Register a Car in California

Coda

Lithium iron phosphate batteries are this company’s specialty. When they’re not producing batteries, they’re producing car bodies that use these batteries. Coda is known as a minor car brand that produces fuel-efficient cars that run on a powerful battery.

Fisker Automotive

Fisker Automotive doesn’t just sound like a can of tuna that you’d feed your cat. It’s a minor car brand that manufactures luxury hybrid vehicles. If the luxury wasn’t enough incentive, the yearly tax deduction will be.

Panoz

Panoz is the result of a pharmaceutical mogul who decided his financial portfolio needed its own race car manufacturing company. Their most notable car is the Panoz Esperante. This little-known car brand produces sports cars for competitive racing and road cars for competitive bragging.

Green4U

Green4U isn’t just a minor car manufacturer, but an all-around green vehicle producer. They’ve made eco-friendly vehicles for airlines, individual consumers, and even the military. Green4U is manufacturing an electronic vehicle that has substantially lower operating cost than the leading brand. It’s the Great Value brand of electric cars.

VIA Motors

If you’ve seen a GM model car without the GM branding, chances are it’s a VIA motors vehicle. This manufacturer purchases GM cars and refurbishes them to be electric. They pull a quick switcheroo to sell a greener vehicle.

Zimmer

Known as the Golden Spirit of vehicles, Zimmer pushes the production of neoclassical cars. Whenever there’s an old car showcase, you might find a Zimmer model. They make them aesthetically pleasing without the utility of a standard car.

Lucid Motors

Lucid Motors specializes in electric vehicles. Coincidentally, close to 300 employees from Tesla Motors jumped ship to work at Lucid, so you know their cars are electrifying. The reason why there’s so many electric car companies in the state is because they all graduated from a traffic school California.

Faraday Future

Faraday Future isn’t just the name of the next great sci-fi novel. It’s an electric automotive startup that’s taking over the south. This company makes electric sports cars that aren’t just used for sport. They’re used for leisurely driving… at high speeds.

Local Motors

Local Motors makes their cars available to the public in more ways than consumer distribution. All their vehicles are open sourced and available to the public. Some of their vehicles include the autonomous bus or the completely 3D printed car.

Elio Motors

Elio Motors is pushing the boundaries with their innovation. Those boundaries being the line between car and motorcycle. This minor car brand recently released the three-wheeled autocycle. It’s an automobile containing everything you would find in your standard sedan, but without the unnecessary fourth wheel.

Vehicle Production Group

No – Vehicle Production Group isn’t the generic placeholder for a flashy name in the works. It’s the legitimate name of the company. They’re responsible for the design of most mobility vehicles. They’re highly accessible vans and cars are built with a large door and ramp.

Dust the interior of your car

If you have an autonomous car, make sure you dust the interior of it. Dust slows down computers. When it builds up, it can ruin systems no matter how well they’re built. Your autonomous vehicle might be different, but any reason to clean up the filthy interior of your car is a good one. Grab that duster, buster.

Write a “thank you” card in binary

It’s your autonomous car’s day. Therefore, you should tell it how you REALLY feel, with a handwritten card in binary. Your autonomous car can only understand numbers, so use the nearest binary translator to let your heart ooze with feelings.

Take your autonomous vehicle out for dinner

Tonight, treat your self-driving car well with a delicious dinner. For you, a salivating, seared steak dinner with a side of asparagus and fine potatoes. For your car, a quick oil change. That’s the autonomous vehicle equivalent to sautéed salmon.

Buy it a gift

Autonomous vehicles may be computers, but they still like to receive gifts. One present you can provide your car, this year, is something digital to go along with its computations. Since self-driving cars are computers that drive, it might make use of online traffic school.

Learn how to program the concept of love

A task that has plagued scientist, programmers, and ethics theorists is the process of computers comprehending the idea of love. Moreover, you might have expressed your love for your self-driving car without any reciprocal feelings. Learning how to program the concept of love will finally show your autonomous car how you feel.

Print off pictures of autonomous cars to longingly stare at

There’s other ways to celebrate Autonomous Vehicle Day, if you don’t have access to a self-driving car. One way of doing this is to print off pictures of autonomous cars, then daydream which one is your favorite. You can even line your walls with the photos, in case you want people to think you lost your mind.

Buy a Roomba

If you don’t have the funds to purchase one, then buy the next best thing: a Roomba. It’s like a self-driving car, except it’s a small circular computer that cleans your floor. In fact, the best way to celebrate is to do yourself the favor of never cleaning your home again. Your Roomba will also help keep you company!

Spread the word

The easiest way to celebrate Autonomous Vehicle Day is to snap a photo of a self-driving car, then post it to your social media accounts with #AutonomousVehicleDay. That’s the official hashtag being used to celebrate. You should join in with the thousands of people who are partaking in the day. Let everyone know how much you enjoy autonomous vehicles.

Leave The Event Early

This choice may be the least fun of the five, but the results are spectacular! This option works best when you leave during the peak moment of the event. Perhaps the game went into overtime, or the play is only in part 2 of 5 – whatever you do, try to calculate your departure to be between 35-55 minutes earlier than the rest of the crowd. This will guarantee the smoothest of sailings out of the lot.

Block The South Gate

This option does not reflect the opinions and thoughts of the IMPROV® Online Traffic School, however, it has received good ratings of those who currently belong to a fraternity or pro-league dodgeball team. What you do is block off the south gate, also known as the least conspicuous gate, with signs that say, “Not In Service.” This will deter future drivers from using the gate, and will leave a wide opening for you and your crew to make a quick and clean departure from your event since cars heading for exits will be going in the opposite direction.

Park Right Next To the Exit

Seems like an easy solution, right? This tactic usually works, especially when the exit is a walking distance of 1.3 miles or more from the venue. So as long as you and your cohorts are up for a little exercise before the sunrise, this is the option for you.

Create A Diversion

This preference is often performed by ex-detectives and bandits. If it works for them, it can work for you too! This option requires a bit of planning. You have to think about the type of crowd that travels to your specific event, then act upon their inner-most wants and desires. For example: a classic rock concert goer has a special attraction to free T-shirts; therefore, you can create a diversion by giving away free merchandise on one side of the parking lot, while your buddies hightail it to the opposite side of the lot. Be creative.

Rent A Tractor

This selection may be a bit pricey, but will do the job right. All you have to do is get behind the wheel, move the front shovel up and down a couple of times, and the cars will get out of your way! You and your friends can drive that puppy all across the lot without a sense of congestion. If you are thinking about taking the machine to the streets however, you may want to read your state’s traffic laws regarding correct speed and driver license type.

What Is A Car Subscription?

Car subscriptions have made themselves stand out in a few different ways. The most impressive is that they bundle everything together. Leasing or buying a car means also needing to have insurance and taking care of any maintenance issues. These new car subscriptions bundle all those things together. For a monthly fee, drivers get a car and insurance. Many subscriptions also take care of the maintenance.

The more expensive subscription options, such as those offered by Cadillac and Porsche, allow drivers to switch between cars. For example, subscribers can have one car to get around during the week, then switch to something else for the weekend. This can’t be done every weekend, as the most generous policy so far is 18 switches per year. Still, for those with lots of money and a love of cars, this service sounds great.

The less expensive options are more like leasing a car. They still bundle insurance and maintenance (in some cases), but the cars won’t be luxury vehicles. The cars will instead be gently used, and they can only be switched if something goes wrong with them.

Car Subscriptions Reasonable Limitations

Despite how good these deals may sound, most of these services are provided by companies that need to protect themselves. That means many of these subscriptions come with understandable limitations that nonetheless may make them less appealing to potential subscribers.

There are several of these that subscribers may see. Each company may use any or all of them. Some companies will impose mileage restrictions, only allowing a certain number of miles per month or year. Other companies will not allow their cars beyond the borders of the United States. Most cars are equipped with technology that allows the owners to track how and where the cars are used. People who defy the rules set by the company will probably face hefty fees, and the car will be revoked.

All the companies will definitely also check a potential subscriber’s driving and credit history before handing over the keys. They want their cars back in good condition, so that means only allowing responsible drivers behind the wheel. If you got a ticket, hopefully you took some traffic school online so you can be eligible for these services. As for the credit checks, these companies do not want to have to fight for the money they’re owed. Without decent credit, these companies won’t allow the cars out of the lot.

Are Car Subscriptions Better?

Ultimately, it’s up to personal taste, but there are a few situations in which car subscriptions are truly superior. If someone needs a car for three months, this service is better than just renting a car from the airport. If a driver is swimming in cash, the luxury car subscriptions can certainly be appealing.

However, for mere mortals, the cost difference isn’t that impressive. The price of the bundle is rarely less expensive than a car payment plus insurance. At least when a car payment is finished, the driver is left with a car. At the end of a subscription period, a driver is left minus thousands of dollars and with nothing to show for it.

Sam Darnold

The USC quarterback now turned New York Jets can drive only one car. That is the 2018 Toyota Prius Eco. As the #1 draft pick, of course he would choose the #1 fuel-economy car.

Josh Allen

Josh Allen is no stranger to enrolling in traffic school online. Therefore, as the Buffalo Bills’ new quarterback, he drives a blue Kia Forte, which is a top safety pick for defensive drivers.

Baker Mayfield

The Cleveland Browns chose Baker Mayfield as their new quarterback member. It may be because of his career statistics, but it also could be because of his brown Chevy Bolt.

Josh Rosen

The next quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals is Josh Rosen, who will be arriving to his games in his 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser. The best car to beat the desert climate.

Lamar Jackson

From cardinals to ravens, Lamar Jackson is the new Baltimore quarterback. Similarly, the 2018 Toyota Corolla iM is the newest hatchback, which is what Jackson drives.

Mason Rudolph

Rudolph will now be playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Also, a major stealer is the great deal Rudolph got on his new Hyundai Elantra.

Luke Falk

Falk was an obvious choice for the Tennessee Titans, but the Toyota 4Runner was an obvious choice for Falk. With 1st, 2nd, and 3rd row seating, who would pass this pick?

Kyle Lauletta

Giants fans are rejoicing with the choice of Kyle Lauletta. Also rejoicing is Lauletta in his fuel-efficient GMC Canyon compact pickup truck.

Chase Litton

Litton was chosen by the Kansas City Chiefs as their new quarterback. The Honda Accord is known as the Chiefs of all cars, which is what Litton drives.

Mike White

The Cowboys picked up Mike White as their new quarterback. What’s also white is the cargo van that Mike drives around town.

Nic Shimonek

The Los Angeles Chargers are bringing Shimonek onto their team. Which means, Shimonek’s Ford Focus will be right at home in the city with it’s great fuel range.

Tanner Lee

Tanner Lee is creating a bit of spur when he was picked by the Jaguars. We can only assume the buzz has to do with his 2017 Ford Mustang Convertible.

Kurt Benkert

Falcons received Benkert from the draft, which means they also get to see him arrive to practice in his Chrysler Pacifica minivan.

Logan Woodside

Woodside will be playing with the Bengals. This is probably why he was seen placing their logo on the side of his Honda Civic.

Danny Etling

Etling signed to play with the Patriots this season. This may be because of his amazing college track record, but it could have something to do with the fact he drives a 2017 Jeep Patriot.

Alex McGough

Finally, McGough will be playing for the Seahawks come this season. That’s why McGough invested in a rain-resistant Lexus RX 450h to survive the Seattle weather.

Use a Harness

The first time you put a harness on your dog, your dog may object. However, if you make it a habit, your pets will quickly adjust to the new system, especially as the proper harness for your dog will fit comfortably and will still provide some room to move around.

Properly securing your dogs will also help protect them in the event of an accident, much in the way your seatbelt protects you. It will also prevent your dogs from jumping into your lap while you’re driving, which would cause an immediate distraction that could endanger both you and your fur babies.

The Window: Up or Down?

Everyone knows dogs love sticking their heads out the windows of moving cars, and they just look so cute and happy when they do. However, what your dog wants and what is best for your dog are not always the same thing. First, breathing in all that rushing air can be bad for your dog’s lungs. There is also the danger of debris kicked up by wind or other vehicles. Driving at 65 miles an hour, a tiny rock can make a crack in your windshield, which is made of glass meant to withstand the impact.

Your dog is not meant to withstand that impact, so the debris of the road can be a definite health hazard. Many dogs would enjoy a compromise instead. Keep the windows down an inch or two so they’ve got the fresh air coming in, but don’t roll the windows down so far they can stick their heads out.

Driving with Cats

The absolute best advice I’ve ever heard for driving with cats is DON’T. But if you absolutely must drive with your cat to somewhere farther than the vet’s office, you’ll want to take some precautions. Your cat probably hates the cat carrier, but it’s still the best tool to protect him or her while driving. Even if the inevitable ear-piercing meowing drives you crazy, the cat carrier is necessary to keep your feline friend in good health.

If you’re driving a long distance, you should also keep a small litter box in the car and allow your cat access to it whenever you stop, which should be frequently. You’ll also want to make sure your kitty has water available. Finally, be patient with your cat when the trip is over. He or she might not like you very much for a few days.

DON’T LEAVE YOUR ANIMALS IN A HOT CAR

This is fairly common knowledge at this point, but it still happens, so it still bears repeating. A car that is not running air conditioning and has the windows up on a hot day can be twenty degrees hotter than the outside temperature within 10 minutes. As a human, you wouldn’t want to be trapped in a small space at 120 degrees. Now imagine doing that in a fur coat. Every year, thousands of pets (and children) die in hot cars. This can even happen with the windows cracked if the day is hot enough.

Several states have even taken action about this issue by enacting “Good Samaritan” laws that will allow passerby to break the windows of unattended cars with dogs inside. So keep both your dog and your car safe by taking your dog with you when you leave the car, or leaving your dog at home, where it’s cool and safe.

Sanibel Island

You have a chance to live out your deserted island fantasy while having all the perks of a nearby town if you move to Sanibel Island. White sand beaches without a person in sight and beautiful sunsets await you on this secluded island. It even has a lighthouse!

Tampa

Tampa is Florida’s favorite midsize city. With comfortable neighborhoods, a sprawling business district, and a diverse art culture, Tampa is a fantastic place to live for people of all ages. Who could say no to the home of a Busch Garden’s theme park?

Destin

Destin, Florida is a popular vacation spot for most American families. This large town offers wildlife centers, luscious golf courses, and scenic leisure trails. You won’t have to wait for your spring break getaway every year, because you can just vacation here forever.

Dogtown

Dogtown is known for its old mines, a few dinosaur fossils, and having the name of “Dogtown.” This small town offers a change of pace from what you’re used to in Florida. A major benefit here is the bragging right you’ll have from living in a town named after man’s best friend. Despite the name, it’s apparently NOT a town ran entirely by dogs.

Key West

Located in a grouping of small islands, Key West stands out as a major destination for vacationers. There’s good reason for it, too. The relaxing atmosphere makes living conditions stress-free no matter what the circumstances. Be careful thought, you may get a traffic ticket for being anxious here.

Jacksonville

Forbes has ranked Jacksonville as the fifth fastest growing city in the U.S, making it a perfect location for young, business-minded people. At night, you’ll find electrifying nightlife, vibrant arts & culture, and the best restaurants in Florida. During the day, the city-wide hobby includes “watersports.”

Naples

Naples is a retirement trap destination. Residents must cautiously avoid blowing their retirement savings on the high-end shopping centers and golf courses. However, residents over 55 can save on a mature driver traffic school Florida course for a lovely car insurance discount.

South Palm Beach

One quaint town that stands out among the rest is South Palm Beach, Florida. The entire town’s district is less than one mile long. The best thing about working in South Palm Beach is not using your car – ever. You can walk or bike anywhere you go. If you need to drive, you can take the single road that travels through the whole, entire town.

Cassadaga

If what you’re missing from life are ghosts, then this is the town for you. Cassadaga is the unofficial psychic capital of the world. The town’s entire economy is built on the backs of psychics and ghost hunters. Instead of going out for brunch, you can indulge in a late morning palm reading.

Osprey

Osprey, Florida is a town district off the Gulf of Mexico. It’s located south of Sarasota and has just about everything you need in a town. With high-grade educational systems, parks, and recreational areas, Osprey is a lovely town that will be great for everyone. The most challenging part about Osprey is starting a family.

Car

Commute by car is the most common mode of transportation in Florida. However, if everyone drives their own car to work, it could have negative impact on the environment, traffic conditions, and your bank account. Given the opportunity, choose to carpool to reduce the number of cars on the road and to split travel costs.

Ride Sharing App

Ride sharing apps, like Lyft and Uber, are a comfortable way to get around. The biggest problem is trusting a stranger to drive, and the price of the commute itself. The other downside is not having a reason to enroll in traffic school.

Alligator

Alligators are Florida’s most underutilized mode of transportation. They run on biodegradable fuel and can be lined up to mush, like a pack of Alaskan Huskies. Society doesn’t bat an eye at the sight of man’s best friend pulling a sleigh through the snow, but apparently, they think it’s “unnecessarily bizarre” when man’s best reptilian friend is used to pull your airboat to the office.

Bicycle

Bicycling is great for toning those quads and glutes. It’s also a cost-effective way to commute in Florida. With green advocates on the rise, more bikers than ever are commuting to work. Dust off that old bike and roll up those pant legs, because you’re going to want to show off those defined calf muscles.

Skateboard/Scooter

Skateboarding or taking your scooter is a great way to get around if your next stop is nearby and you have a rad personality. Taking your skateboard or scooter means you won’t spend money on gas or a ride sharing app. You might even have a chance of wall riding yourself through a montage of sick ollies.

Motorcycle

Commuting on your motorcycle won’t only show people how tough you are, but it’s also a great way to reduce costs on gas. The downside of commuting on a motorcycle is the dangers of rush hour traffic and reckless drivers. However, if you’re riding a motorcycle, you might be too tough to even notice you wrecked.

Bus

Buses are a great way to relive those precious memories of going to grade school. But, what people don’t realize, they’re also an effective way to get around the city. If you pretend all the sick, angry people are lifelong friends you met in grade school, the commute doesn’t seem that bad.

Vanpool

A vanpool is similar to a carpool, but, instead of 3-4 people, you have around 6-8 people in a van. This commuting method is popular for people who work in the same office. Vanpools are like taking a small bus, but you know the sick, angry people.

Airboat

Thick, overgrown waters aren’t very conducive for driving a car. But, airboats have no issue gliding across those Floridian bayous and swamps. Swamp people can get to and from their bustling nine to five in the city while coasting over murky, alligator infested waters in a compact airboat.

Train/Subway

Commuting by train or the subway is a smart choice if you live in a metropolitan area. If you don’t mind close quarters with strangers, and the risk of getting sick from slimy surfaces, then the train is a great economic commute.

Be wary of road conditions

You don’t want to be caught off guard when you encounter strange and unusual road conditions. Whether it’s ice on a bridge or construction detours, always be cautious of the roads you drive on. Also, never underestimate the relentless, destructive power of a single pot hole.

Check your brakes

Brakes are – arguably – one of the most important features of an SUV. They can prevent you from driving through your garage or plunging off the side of a cliff. Routinely check your brakes and replace them if they’re bad. Knowing your SUV is safe will give your conscious a much-needed break.

Know the weather forecast

You don’t need to be a meteorologist to drive your SUV. But, it couldn’t hurt! Checking the forecast for storms, snow, acid rain, or fog, before you leave your home can mentally prepare you to drive in extreme weather conditions. The last thing you want is to be caught outside in acid rain without an umbrella!

Keep a spare tire

Always keep a spare tire in your SUV. In the instance you blow out a tire on the road, you will always have a back-up to keep you from being stranded. Also, something you should add to your repertoire: learn how to change a tire!

Lock your SUV

Locking your SUV is a quick and simple way to ensure its safety when parked. Just like your front door, keeping it locked-up will keep people locked-out. It’s hard to steal an SUV from the outside.

Use a turn signal

You may know this from acing your online traffic school course, but using turn signals is the best means of communication with fellow drivers. However, turn signals often are the car’s most underutilized feature. They’re the most important way two drivers can communicate – outside of giving each other the middle finger.

Don’t Rage

While driving, never let yourself fall into a fury that makes Mad Max jealous. Staying cool behind the wheel is just as important to your SUV’s safety as it is to other’s safety. It could feel cathartic to rear-end the person who just cut you off, but the ones that suffer will be your SUV and your driving record.

Know where you’re going

Always know where you’re going. You can drive the same route to work every day or map your road trip in advance with a GPS. When you know where you’re going, you will have a better idea of what to expect. This is also helpful advice for living your life.

Headlights and brake lights are important

Double check those headlights and brake lights with a friend before long road trips. Broken lights make it difficult for other drivers to see you. More importantly, it’s a reason to get pulled over by the police. Driving without lights isn’t a bright decision.

Keep an emergency kit

First aid kit, flashlight, road flares, blanket, and a gallon of water is a recommendation of what to include in your emergency kit. Being prepared for the worst is always the smart decision. Accidents are unpredictable and can happen anytime and anywhere, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared for them.

Remain Calm

A trapped car can launch you into panic mode. Even more of a panic than trying to pass your online traffic school course. Keeping calm helps you make smart, rational decisions without the frenzy of being in panic mode. You want to stay cool, like the snow you might be trapped in.

Keep the Tires Straight

When you’re stuck in mud or snow, you can make your escape easier by keeping your tires straight. Twisting your wheels back and forth will cause your car to sink deeper, which will make it a challenge to become unstuck. The more you move, the worst it gets. Yes, we’re getting all our advice from watching movies about quicksand.

Clear the Exhaust Pipe of Debris

By clearing the exhaust pipe of debris, you can prevent engine fumes from filling up your car. We don’t need to tell you the repercussion of a car full of exhaust. But, it’s your death. The repercussion is your death, because there is too much carbon monoxide.

Light Your Car on Fire

If your car is trapped, one quick way to get it unstuck is lighting it on fire. The billowing smoke from your car’s raging fire should alert nearby emergency personnel, which will lead them to aid you. When they see the scorched remains of your car, they will assist with calling a tow-truck. It’s the perfect plan.

Life Hack: Use Your Floor Mats as Leverage

One quick and simple life hack tool, to help you escape the perils of being trapped in mud or snow, are the floor mats in your car. When your wheels are spinning, but you’re not going anywhere, you need more friction. Placing a floor mat under your wheels can supply enough friction to leave your trap.

Accelerate Slowly

Accelerating slowly helps you gain some much-needed traction. Your first reaction to becoming trapped is to peel your way out. However, that’s one of the worst things you can do in this situation. Calmly place your foot on the gas and let your car build up traction to escape. Bonus points if you get your friend to push the car while you do it.

Get a Chain and Big Truck

If you got a friend with a big truck, a chain, and, potentially, a red neck, then give them a call. Getting help from someone else is extremely beneficial, such as a tow truck, an emergency personnel, or your friend who just installed semi-truck wheels on their pickup. We’re not yanking your chain, but your buddy might, because they want to help you get unstuck.

Be Prepared for the Worst

Always be prepared for the worst situation possible. Keep snacks, bottled water, first aid kits, and blankets in your car in case you are ever trapped and can’t get out. Whether you’re caught in an avalanche, stuck in a bayou, or slowly sinking in a quicksand, having a preparation kit can help make the situation better. You don’t want to be stranded in a quicksand without a granola bar!

Rush Hour

Rush Hour traffic is a plague on the idea of a timely arrival. For several hours in a day, the roads of Beaumont fill up with anxious drivers leaving for work or speeding home. Between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM, Beaumont experiences high volumes of traffic, because, apparently, a lot of people work the ol’ 9 to 5 grind.

Traffic Accidents

Traffic Accidents can cause major congestion and worsen peak busy hours. In 2014, Beaumont experienced nearly 642 traffic accidents. It could have been less, but people didn’t enroll in their Texas online defensive driving course. With statistics like this, the biggest accident is choosing to drive in the city.

Road Conditions

Road Conditions can bring traffic to a screeching halt. Whether there’s hindering construction, or you drive over a camouflaged pothole that destroys your tires, the condition of the road contributes greatly to the flow of traffic. Beaumont receives countless complaints of the poor road conditions and not enough on the lack of Whataburgers.

Speed Traps

Speed Traps will ruin anyone’s day. Getting slapped with a speeding ticket will force you to cough up hundreds of dollars. It will also make getting through traffic worse. Littered along I-10 are traps set to catch anyone exceeding the speed limit. Drive the speed limit or break your wallet’s limit.

Rush Hour

Rush Hour is expected in large cities. What isn’t expected is how much longer it lasts in Houston than it does in smaller cities, like Beaumont. From 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the city of Houston experiences massive delays in traffic, because of car congestion from busy commuters. Rush hour is longer in the evening, because Houston has a great selection of Whataburgers.

Downtown Traffic

Downtown Traffic is a whole other story. When rush hour stops everywhere else, downtown traffic continues to persevere. Instead of calling it “rush hour,” in downtown Houston, they just call it “rush forever.”

Road Conditions

Road Conditions in Houston are… not the worst. Despite the massive number of commuters, the infrastructure around Space City is in pretty good condition. However, that doesn’t account for road construction, which adds time to anyone’s commute.

Speed Traps

Speed Traps are set up around the city. Except trapping season is all year long. Specifically, police like to target highways when setting up a speed trap. This is to catch people running late for work or trying to get home in a hurry. If you have a honey butter chicken biscuit from Whataburger in your passenger seat, who wouldn’t be in a hurry.

It’s hard to compare the two cities. However, when it comes to traffic, they both have a notorious reputation. The only true way to discover which city has the worst traffic is by visiting the areas. Except we’ve been checking the traffic radar for downtown Houston all day and it’s STILL considered rush hour.

Rate Your Driver

There are a lot of things Uber doesn’t tell passengers, including what their rating really means to a driver. Most riders assume that a five-star rating system is like a school grading system. So five stars is like an A, four stars is like a B, and so on. And a B is above average, right? So, four stars means the ride was good but not the best, but the driver is still pretty decent. Better than most, right?

Wrong. Drivers get de-activated and kicked off the system if their rating falls below 4.7. This means that any rating other than five stars is actually a vote to have a driver fired. Now, if your ride was an absolute nightmare that had you fearing for your life, then your rating should definitely reflect that. Give that driver the one-star rating he or she deserves so we can get the bad drivers off the streets, send them back to drivers ed, and give more business to the drivers that won’t traumatize you.

However, if your driver was good and your only complaint is that there was no free water available (which comes out of drivers’ meager paychecks, by the way), or your driver was just a little more talkative than you would have liked, then maybe reconsider that four-star rating you were thinking of giving and make it a five. True, one bad rating won’t matter to a driver that’s been with Uber for a while, but it could devastate a new driver’s overall rating.

The 5.0 Dilemma

As a rider, you want to get five stars on every ride so that your rating remains a shiny 5.0, right? Well, mostly…

Personally, as a female driver on the streets of Los Angeles during what I lovingly refer to as the “Drunk Shift,” I would not pick up anyone with a rating lower than 4.6, ever, under any circumstances. In areas where I didn’t feel completely comfortable, either because I was less familiar with the neighborhood or because it felt unsafe in some way, the required rating would jump to 4.8. In those areas, I also wouldn’t pick up anyone rated 5.0.

That sounds crazy, right? But the way the Uber system works, people taking their very first ride are rated 5.0. This means drivers can’t tell whether the person calling for a ride is an amazing paragon of humanity who tips $20 on every ride and has used the system dozens of times, or if accepting that ride is the first step in being murdered. Some drivers just aren’t willing to take that risk.

The best advice I can offer on this one is to wait for a great ride where you are really clicking with your driver. Tell them you’re curious about your rating, and they’ll probably tell you what it is. If your rating is 5.0 and you’ve been using Uber for quite a while, congratulations! You’re probably a wonderful person.

But if you notice that it takes a while for your rides to get accepted despite your stellar rating, ask that driver that you’ve bonded with to give you four stars so that your rating will drop to a 4.9. Despite what you may think, from a driver’s perspective, a 4.9 rating is light years better than a 5.0. Remember, only do this if you’ve already taken many rides with Uber. A four-star rating on one of your first rides will not make drivers accept you more frequently.

Check out last week’s blog for the tips and tricks to increase your rating. Hopefully this information will help foster understanding and patience between riders and drivers. As always, be safe out there!

New Jersey

Also known as the “mecca of full service gas retailers,” New Jersey is most notably recognized for having gas station pump attendants. In 1949, congress passed a statute titled the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act, which prohibited gas retail customers from pumping their own gas. To this day, New Jersey is the lone state that maintains this law, and requires a professional to pump your car’s gasoline.

When you’re caught violating this law, you could experience some pricey consequences. People who break the 1949 statute will be fined $50 to $250, and up to $500 for any proceeding offenses. If you thought gas prices were expensive, then you haven’t been caught pumping your own gas in New Jersey. There is good news for New Jersey drivers! You can save a lot of money, hundreds each year, on car insurance by taking a NJ Defensive Driving course!

Oregon

An honorable mention should be given to the ex-lazy state of Oregon. Recently, Oregon passed a law that gives customers the right to pump their own gas. This is bad news for the state’s professionally exhausted people. If you wanted to do actual work, you wouldn’t have taken online traffic school courses, or bought that text to speech converter so you could listen instead of reading this article.

Despite these challenging times, there’s an apathetic light at the end of the tunnel. The law only takes effect on counties with population less than 40,000 residents. In other words, densely populated regions of the state will still have their full-service pumps. This means Portland will become the west coast home for all lazy drivers. For the un-lazy, you can take a quick and easy OR Auto Insurance discount course.

Huntington, New York

Just like a pond of freshwater in a scathing desert wasteland, Huntington, New York is a lazy oasis in the bustling state of New York. Huntington escaped the thwarting grasps of responsibility and allows full-service gas retailers in the city. The reason why this old law is still around is a bit foggy, but we know the real reason. The city is just a proponent of putting in the least amount of effort as possible.

During the 1980’s, fire safety became a major concern for the Huntington Fire Department. Pumping your own gasoline was believed to be a fire hazard. Therefore, not long after, Huntington passed a city-wide regulation that would require gas retailers to offer full-service pumps. Any driver who is caught fueling their own vehicle would experience the repercussions of heavy fine payments. It doesn’t matter what NY city you live in to take advantage of the mandated 3-year savings you’ll receive when completing a NY Defensive Driving Course. Check it out now.

Whether you’re living in the west coast or the east coast, there’s plenty of opportunity to exert your laziness. If these states or cities aren’t nearby, then consider hiring your own personal gas station attendant, because being lazy is an often-overlooked bliss.

California to Arizona on the I-10

This desolated badland will take you from Los Angeles, California to Phoenix, Arizona within 7 hours. Signs of civilization are few and far between on this journey. The dryness and heat level will threaten your car’s performance and your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The only thing more dangerous than the poisonous reptiles are those pesky UV-rays from the sun, so pack some SPF 30 sunscreen.

Central Alaska to Northern Alaska on The Dalton Highway

Not even the world’s best defensive driving course can help you escape the wintry wrath of The Dalton Highway. Most notable for its appearance in the reality show Ice Road Truckers, this 414-mile long road will take you through the beating heart of Alaska. It’s a breathtaking and isolated road trip, so pack extra supplies and a few friends to talk to.

Colorado to New Mexico on US-550

This mountain expedition will give you carpal tunnel from gripping your steering wheel so tight. Known as the “Million Dollar Highway,” this stretch of road gets its name from how much money you will spend on medical bills. You might have to receive surgery on your broken bones, from all the rock slides, or an air mask from the beautiful mountain scape views, which will take your breath away.

Southern California to Northern California on the Pacific Coast Highway

The Pacific Coast Highway has tight, cliff hugging roads. You’ll be constantly reminded how the slightest wheel jerk will impale you into a cliff-side or drop you 500-feet into the Pacific Ocean. Around Big Sur, you can also catch sights of cute dolphins and funny sea lions!

Driving through New Jersey

The roads themselves aren’t treacherous at all in New Jersey. You won’t experience your normal dangers, instead you’ll only experience the paranormal dangers. The Jersey Devil is boogeyman folklore. The stories paint the creature to be a hoofed beast with wings and a goat head. This deadly creature may be myth, or it could be real, like the real joy you’ll experience walking down the boardwalk in Atlantic City.