Got a Need for Speed? What to Look for in a Defensive Driving Course

If you own a state-of-the-art vehicle with a lot of get-up-and-go, it can be challenging to resist the temptation stirred by your lead foot. Should you decide to take the risk and test your vehicle’s limits, you may find yourself pulled over to the curb with a police officer looming over you, ticket book in hand. 

Does this situation sound familiar to you? If you’re a notorious speed demon, odds are, you’ll eventually end up with a speeding ticket, even after a series of warnings. It doesn’t matter if you’re late to work or taking your new sports car for a test drive. If you break the law and get caught, you have to pay the price. Or do you?

In most states, drivers caught violating the speed limit will receive a ticket that would include a fine, plus a few points that count against your previously spotless driving record. However, you might also get an opportunity to reduce those penalties by taking part in a defensive driving course offered by companies like DriveSafe Online. If you get that chance, you need to take advantage of it. 

While the speeding ticket cost will vary depending on the number of miles-per-hour you exceeded the speed limit by, a $150 fee won’t be a substantial loss for some drivers, especially those drivers who own luxury vehicles. However, the points against your driving record could eventually cost you your license—a consequence you can’t buy your way out of. 

As for driving schools, you’ll be happy to learn you have options. Realizing that a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t practical, the best schools offer a variety of schooling options. To learn more about your options, you can read the information below.

Factors to consider when choosing a defensive driving school

So, you took your expensive sports car with the big mags and fancy rims out for a drive. In the process, you had an encounter with a police officer, which resulted in a ticket. If you want to reduce the adverse effects of a speeding ticket, you’ll need to keep an eye out for a defensive driving school that’s compatible with your schedule. 

At times, finding a solution to fit your unique needs can pose a challenge for those traffic violators. Luckily, with the wide variety of defensive driving courses available online and in-person, every driver can enroll in a course best suited to their learning style and schedule limitations. 

Note that the state where you got your ticket will likely set specific requirements you must fulfill. Using those requirements as your guide, you can start your search for the right defensive driving school and weigh your class options.

Online vs. in-person defensive driving schools and classes

In recent years, online defensive driving schools have gained popularity. The option to complete the coursework from the comfort of your own home appeals to drivers with time constraints and jam-packed work schedules, as you can move at your own pace and watch these video tutorials on-the-go. 

As an additional benefit, the enrolling process is very straightforward. You sign up, pay your fee, and get a login account. From there, you log in and watch the assigned videos whenever you have free time. When you have fulfilled your time and content requirements, you take the applicable test and, eventually, earn your certification.

Unfortunately, some states require students to commute to a classroom and partake in an in-person course with a live instructor. These states mandate in-person defensive driving courses to ensure the traffic violator suffers the consequences for the infraction that landed them in school in the first place. Compared to online driving schools, in-person classes are much more inconvenient for students.

If a school offers live classes, you might have to plan on spending a full day in class to get your certificate. You should opt for a weekend defensive driving course if you’re unable to take time off work. 

Online class time

If you pay close attention, you’ll notice that some schools offer classes of varying lengths. Depending on the state in which you got the speeding ticket, you might have to record a certain amount of “seat time.” 

Remember, it’s your responsibility to make sure you know and understand the applicable state’s guidelines and select the school and classes that will fulfill your obligations. Failure to do so could result in other penalties. 

Certification

If you need a “Certificate of Completion” (CoC), you’ll need to select a defensive driving course meticulously. Note that some schools are geared towards helping drivers learn to drive or improve their driving skills. For those drivers in need of a COC, you’ll need a course that specifically issues a CoC in order to fulfill state/city/insurance company requirements.

Pricing

It’s reasonable to expect you’ll be somewhat sensitive to the pricing of classes, which can vary for various reasons. While there’s nothing wrong with shopping for the most affordable options, caution is warranted. The cheaper options might not offer the CoC you need.

In conclusion 

Remember, defensive driving schools are for your benefit. If you drive like a street racer, you might have to pay the price. Of course, there are much worse consequences than taking a refresher course on being an excellent defensive driver. With accident-free techniques at your disposal, you can save your money and protect your loved ones from potentially-fatal collisions.