Online Traffic School

[SAR_Squid79]

So on my way to Overland Expo, the lovely CHP gave me a speeding ticket for going 60 in a 55. ...$295.00 dollars later, and I have to complete an online traffic school by August 19th.

They sent me this big long huge list of approved online traffic schools. Has anybody else had to do this lately? Can anybody recommend one of the courses that's fast & easy, or at least interesting?

[Johnnie]

The ease of the traffic school will depend on the county. I've taken both the easy and the sort of hard (time consuming) online classes from two different counties. The first one I took was super easy. I was done in less than an hour. Read each paragraph and answer questions. If you missed one you could go back and reread the paragraph to correct it. The second one I took was much more time consuming and not as forgiving. However, it was still easy enough to pass. I don't recall what county was easier. I think I got a ticket in LA county and San Bernardino county.

[ShowStop]

$295 for 5 over the speed limit? Damn ticket prices are getting crazy. I haven't been to traffic school in almost 8 years now, so I'm no help.

[Johnnie]

Originally Posted by ShowStop

I haven't been to traffic school in almost 8 years now, so I'm no help.

Good point. I haven't been in quite a while too. I'm sure it's changed. Just don't get another ticket anytime soon otherwise you'll be sitting your ass in traffic school for 12 hours. I really sucks.

[SAR_Squid79]

Well - I've had a driver's license for 16 years, now. This is the first ticket that I've ever gotten...

But yeah - the ticket fine was $245 + a $50 fee for requesting Traffic School.

I've gotten it from a good source that the CHP is operating under a new directive from their Commandant (or Superintendant or whatever his title is) that they are no longer allowed to let people go, or issue warnings. If you get pulled over by CHP, YOU WILL GET A TICKET!

[ShowStop]

Originally Posted by SAR_Squid79

I've gotten it from a good source that the CHP is operating under a new directive from their Commandant (or Superintendant or whatever his title is) that they are no longer allowed to let people go, or issue warnings. If you get pulled over by CHP, YOU WILL GET A TICKET!

I know for sure this is true with cell phone tickets and seat belt tickets. They will ticket those every time. Not sure if they are as firm on speed violations. But CA needs the cash, so I'm sure fewer warnings are being issued.

[sparky]

Originally Posted by ShowStop

I know for sure this is true with cell phone tickets and seat belt tickets. They will ticket those every time. Not sure if they are as firm on speed violations. But CA needs the cash, so I'm sure fewer warnings are being issued.

Last September I got pulled over for my tail light. . . . just a warning. Then a month ago for no mud-flaps. . . also just a warning. Guess I just got lucky. Got the mud-flaps fabbed on now, though.

The online traffic school I took, from what I remember, had me log on every night for 3 nights. It only let me complete one portion at a time every day. Not sure what else is out there. I did do the classroom one for my first ticket. Wow, what a mistake!

[SAR_Squid79]

Well here's the real deal.

I was on my way to Overland Expo in AZ. I was pulling my trailer. I was about 4 miles from the AZ border.

As you all know, my dad and I built the Trailer in North Carolina. I pulled it to San Diego to finish it myself. I got it finished right before I went to Afghanistan. I never got around to getting it registered.

I am from NC, and in NC the speed limit signs say "Speed Limit 65 - Trucks 55". The "trucks" part means 18-wheerlers...

So I'm driving to Overland Expo, on I-8. The speed limit was 70, "trucks with trailers - 55". I had my cruise set at 70, driving in the left-hand lane. I pass the CHP, and don't think twice. He pulls out, lights me up, I pull over. He proceeds to inform me:

You may drive 70 mph where posted. Unless otherwise posted, the maximum speed limit is 55 mph on two-lane undivided highways and for vehicles towing trailers.

When you tow a vehicle or trailer, or drive a bus or three or more axle truck, you must drive in the right hand lane or in a lane specially marked for slower vehicles.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/speed_limits.htm

I SWEAR TO GOD, I DID NOT KNOW THAT THIS WAS THE LAW IN CA.

So he tells me that I was really doing 72 and MY speed limit was 55. He also asks me for the Trailer Registration - I didn't have it. He asks me for any kind of documentation whatsoever on the trailer. I had nothing.

He told me that he could ticket me for not having the trailer registered, and he was also entitled to confiscate & impound the trailer.

So I give him my (NC) driver's license, and registration, insurance, and Military ID. Maybe I'm naive, but I really think that he didn't want to give me a ticket. He completely let me slide on the trailer registration, etc. He didn't write me up for 72 in a 55, he bumped it down to 60 in a 55. AND - he was very very friendly about the whole thing...

So I think he only gave me a ticket because HE HAD TO. IDK.

[ShowStop]

Yup, I'm aware of all those things. I have a copy of my trailer registration with the trailer at all times. Speed limit is 55 when towing. Stay to the right when towing, only use left lane when passing.

My buddy didn't know these things and basically did the same thing you did years ago. He got popped for speeding as well.

[Ebruddah]

They're very strict on autos towing going over 55!

As far as the directive of them having to give you a ticket if they pull you over. I've never gotten out of a ticket with a CHP. I've gotten out of several tickets from city cops but never the CHP. I always assumed that if you're messing up that bad that you get the attention of the CHP on a road that they would always issue a ticket you deserved. The CHP has to manage a high volume of vehicles and maintain interstate commerce so I assume if the officer has to remove themselves from patrol for you you will most likely recieve a ticket. I've gotten reported speeds and offenses downgraded at the time of ticket but I've never been able to talk my way out anything with the CHP.

You just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and made yourself an easy target doing way over 55 for your trailer.

BTW: I've had my license for close 20 years in SoCal and got my first ticket in the 1st month of my license ironically from the CHP. In fact all my tickets are from the CHP with the exception of 2 of them. 1 from the LAPD for speeding and 1 from West Covina PD for a rolling stop.

[Johnnie]

One year my cousin and I were pulling two jet skis with his Expedition. He reached to the dashboard for his Chocodile and couldn't locate it. He swerved a bit and finally reached his Chocodile. We got pulled over by CHP and he explained what he was doing. CHP was cool and laughed it off but I think he let my cousin go because he has a Class A license.

When I was 19 or so I got two tickets within one week of each other on two different years. December 24th 1993 and January 2 1994. My mom was cool about the first one but pissed about the second one.

[ShowStop]

Some light reading...

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl648/dl648toc.htm
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc.htm
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vc.htm

[TacoDell]

my last ticket for speeding was near 8 years back...

I did one of those on line classes and it was convenient as heck.
and quite simple...

It could be done in a single sit down...

But I just took my time and logged back in over a period of a few days.

It's been too long for me to remember which online program I used...

But it was one, that was on the courts list.

$ 25.00 fee for that... back then.

I usually roll 60 mph or maybe a couple mph over that, when towing my trailer...
and doubt the CHP would hassle anyone for that.
70 and some would be asking for it... especially when you pass the dang chp. LoL

I stay to the right... 'cause I'm an old man...
and the fire under my ass... burned out... long ago.

[jrocks4rnr]

I used go2trafficschool.com ,,, was easy to get it all done in one day. The only hitch is w/the final test. You either have to go to a UPS store or take it at home by paying $15 for credit check to verify ID.

UPS store charges $10 notary plus fax fee. Find a UPS store that you can use your labtop at and save the faxing.

But, once you arrive at UPS store u must call the t school to let them knw your there...prepare to sit on hold for 15 min

[SAR_Squid79]

I went with www.onedaytrafficschool.com

I powered through it, and got it completely done in about 2 hours - INCLUDING THE FINAL EXAM (scored a 93%). It was pretty easy. It cost $19.95. Once you pass the final exam, they process and mail your certificate straight to the court. You don't have to do anything, no off-site testing, no notary...

Pretty good. I have never had to do this before - but I would recommend this one.

[Johnnie]

Originally Posted by SAR_Squid79

I went with
Pretty good. I have never had to do this before - but I would recommend this one.

I would just recommend not getting any tickets at all.

[SAR_Squid79]

Yeah - hopefully it will be at least another 16 years...