Do You Take Traffic School in the State You Got Your Ticket In?

If you receive a ticket for speeding, for running a red ligh, or for another offense that can be classified as a "moving violation," you have the option in most states to enroll in a traffic school or defensive driving course. This is a way to erase your ticket from your driving record, keep your insurance rates from increasing and remove points against you on your driver's license. Keep in mind, however, that enrolling in a traffic school does not mean that you do not have to pay the fines associated with your traffic ticket.

If you are driving in a state other than the one that you reside in and you receive a traffic ticket, you will usually not be required to take traffic school in the state that you got your ticket in, if you can prove your residency in a different state and as long as you choose a traffic school that meets the requirements of the state where you received the ticket. If you have received an out-of-state traffic ticket, and would like to find out if traffic school is an option, contact the DMV in that state.

Another traffic school option that has grown increasingly popular in the last few years, particularly for drivers who gotten tickets in states that they do not live in, is online traffic school. The majority of states that allow drivers to take traffic school in order to clear points off of their driving record also allow drivers the option of enrolling in an online class. Remember, it is important to make sure that the traffic school (online or in-person) that you are enrolling in is approved by the state before you sign up.

Traffic school policies and regulations vary by state. While most states offer drivers the option of traffic school, a few states do not. Additionally, each state that allows drivers to repair their driving record by completing a traffic school course also has its own regulations about the type of traffic school that you can take, and how much time you are allowed to enroll in and complete a state-approved course.

The best way to learn more about traffic school and about your options for out of state tickets is to contact the applicable branch of the DMV or traffic court. Make sure that you are fully informed of the cost of all of the fees involved, and whether or not local or online traffic school is an option for you.