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Driving in and around San Francisco's diverse roads can be exciting, but it's not always easy. Drivers must know how to navigate Highway 101 and jammed city streets. So, taking a defensive driving course might help you manage an emergency and other challenges you might face. Even if you are confident in your driving skills, a course can offer you added benefits. Learn how a defensive driving course can help you.
The Top 3 Benefits of a San Francisco Defensive Driving Course
1. Reduce Points on Your License
You worked hard to earn your license, but the privilege can be taken away. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) may give you negligent operator points for each traffic violation. You will be given up to three points per infraction.
When those points add up, then you could lose your license. Taking a defensive driving course gives you the chance to remove those points.
You can get points for common driving infractions such as:
Speeding (one point)
Driving an unsafe vehicle (one point)
Driving under the influence (two points)
Hit and run (two points)
You can get points even if you have a traffic violation outside San Francisco or the state of California. That means your points follow you wherever you go.
If you are a new driver, you are especially at risk of losing your license. That is because you are still learning as you drive. For example, let's say you are pulled over on I-280 and the police officer cites you for speeding and having a broken tail light. You could get two points in a day! Also, you will be halfway to having your license suspended. The California DMV says they'll suspend your license if you get:
Four points in one year (12 months)
Six points in two years (24 months)
Ten points in three years (36 months)
A defensive driving course for California — also known as traffic school — is the fastest and surest way to remove points on your license. As an added benefit, you learn to be a better driver, so you avoid traffic violations in the future.
2. Get a Discount on Car Insurance
As you probably know, San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the U.S. in terms of cost of living. Unfortunately, auto insurance in San Francisco is also expensive. Defensive driving courses can help you keep costs down.
It is also the law to have auto insurance in San Francisco. Fortunately, you do have choices of the type of insurance to buy. The California Department of Insurance can give you ideas onrates, so you can shop around.
Having a clean driving record is important in maintaining your current auto insurance rate. In some cases, taking a defensive driving course can prove to your insurer that you are a safe and reliable driver.
Sometimes accidents happen, especially in San Francisco where trucks and cars are moving fast. Even a minor fender-bender can cause your auto insurance premiums to go sky high.
If you do get a minor traffic violation, the best strategy is to remove those points from your record quickly. It may be possible for you to take a defensive driving course right after an incident. Possibly, you won't get any points on your record.
3. Become a Safer Driver
When you are a more skilled driver, getting around becomes easier. Also, driving is more fun when you have the confidence to handle any tricky situation that comes your way. One of the best ways to gain confidence is to hone your skills through traffic school.
Many defensive driving skills are more advanced than knowing how to stop, brake, or turn. It is more about being alert and seeing possible dangers ahead. Once you learn defensive driving, you will know how to respond to different kinds of traffic conditions.
Defensive driving courses teach drivers safe ways to anticipate and react to a variety of scenarios. These situations can include responding to careless acts by other drivers. Also, a course tailored to San Francisco will help you deal with poor visibility in foggy and rainy weather.
Sign Up for a Defensive Driving Course in San Francisco
Get all the benefits from taking a San Francisco, California defensive driving course.