Attending a traffic school probably isn’t something you ever plan to do.
But if you want to reduce traffic citation, dismiss a traffic ticket, or lower insurance rates, you might just have to take the plunge.
You can make the most out of the situation while making it as quick and painless as possible through online traffic schools. I mean, online traffic schools are the fastest, easiest, and cheapest way to finish a driver improvement course.
In this article, I’ll go through the best online traffic schools in St. Petersburg, Florida. I’ll also give a few recommendations for traditional traffic schools in the area.
So buckle up and let’s get going!
The 5 Best Online Traffic Schools in St. Petersburg, Florida
Here are the 5 best online traffic schools in St. Petersburg, Florida:
Let’s take a look at what each school offers.
Note: make sure to ask permission from your court handler or insurance provider if a driver improvement course will permit citation reduction, ticket dismissal, or auto insurance discounts.
GoToTraffic School
GoToTrafficSchool is a well-trusted online traffic school that’s been around since 1999.
Don’t let its history deceive you. It’s a pretty modern school that’s 100% online and 100% mobile-friendly.
The course materials include images, animated videos, audio lessons, and 3D driving simulations. This will keep you interested and help you better retain information.
And, there are quizzes in between lessons to gear you up for the exam. You can finish the course in a minimum of 4 hours.
As for the exam, it’s as easy as they come. And, if you fail, you’re allowed to retake it for free.
Overall, GoToTrafficSchool is quick, effective, and has everything you need from an online traffic school.
Accredited with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), you can expect a high-quality course from iDriveSafely.
You can take their course either through text or a video format.
One of the biggest perks of iDriveSafely is that they can pass your certificate to the Florida DHSMV as soon as you complete it without additional costs.
If you give it a try and realize that iDriveSafely may not be the school for you, they provide a full refund which you can claim before taking the exam.
Who says online traffic school has to be boring? MyImprov is here to prove otherwise.
Established by professional comedians, MyImprov commits to its tagline “Learning with a Smile.” They sneak in hilarious jokes and skits, as well as fun ideas, into their lessons to keep students engaged.
Jokes aside, MyImprov is a reliable online traffic school with a competitive course. The BBB also gave them an A+ rating.
Once you finish your exam, they will immediately inform the Florida DHSMV or the court without extra fees. They also provide 24/7 online support and a money-back guarantee.
Aceable is considered the most modern and up-to-date online traffic school today. I mean, they offer an exclusive mobile app!
As for the course content, it comes with bite-sized lessons with high-quality images and videos. There are also built-in progress trackers that allow you to pick up right where you left off.
You can finish the course in just 4 hours!
Note: Since Aceable is only approved in the Miami-Dade county, you will have to ask special permission from your court handler or insurance provider if they will accept this online traffic school.
DefensiveDriving offers a simple, self-paced, and straightforward online driver improvement course. Like others on this list, they also hold an A+ rating from the BBB.
Tablet and smartphone-optimized, you can take their course anytime, anywhere, and finish it in just 4 hours. You can choose to read through their lessons or sit back and stream their educational videos.
There’s also a feature to save your progress so you can get back to your previous class in a snap.
When you finish the course and pass the exam, DefensiveDriving will immediately send over your certificate via email, mail, or FedEx delivery.
The 2 Best In-Person Traffic Schools in St. Petersburg, Florida
If you prefer the more traditional setup, we’ve also listed down some in-person traffic schools. Here are the 2 best ones:
Flex Traffic and Driving School
Address: 5048 66th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33709, United States
Contact number: +17272563404
With “Flex” in its name, you can probably guess that one of this traffic school’s unique selling points is flexibility. Flex Traffic and Driving School offer flexible schedules that will let you finish your course in your own time.
All Florida Safety Institute
Address: 6479 102nd Ave N, Pinellas Park, FL 33782, United States
Contact number: +17273000282
Another conveniently located school is the All Florida Safety Institute. This traffic school ensures you keep your Safe Driver status with classroom and private courses. They provide the usual educational materials that you need to pass the test and get your certificate as fast as possible.
Now, I know this isn’t located in St. Petersburg per se. But Pinellas Park is only 10 miles away. It will only take around 14 minutes to get there.
Online Traffic Schools in St. Petersburg, Florida FAQs
Can you take an online traffic school in St. Petersburg, Florida?
Definitely. There are many state-approved online traffic schools to choose from, such as the schools we’ve cited in this list. In fact, because of the covid-19 pandemic, even in-person traffic schools have started offering online classes.
Are you eligible for online traffic school in St. Petersburg, Florida?
It’s always best to confirm with the St. Petersburg, Florida courts whether you’re eligible or not.
Normally, in Florida, you’re allowed 5 opportunities to take a driver improvement course before a violation affects your license points. But you can only take a defensive driving course once every 12 months.
So, if you haven’t maxed out your 5 chances and haven’t completed the driver improvement program in the past 12 months, then you’re all good. But again, make sure first from your court handler.
Is traffic school better online or in-person?
Attending traffic school is already a hassle in itself, so why add the extra fuss of commuting and spending your time in a classroom?
Online traffic schools can be done quickly and from the comfort of your home. They’re also much cheaper compared to in-person traffic schools.
What’s more, most of the time, online programs are more engaging because there are lots of visual aids like animations and videos.
And as we’ve said before, many in-person traffic schools are also going online because of the pandemic. While some areas are easing up on covid-19 restrictions, it’s still safer to stay at home and avoid mass gatherings like attending classes.
Between the two options, it’s wiser to go for an online traffic school. But hey, the decision is totally up to you.
If you prefer traditional classrooms, then go ahead and attend one.
How long does online traffic school take in St. Petersburg, Florida?
4 hours. Or, if it was ordered by the court, 8 hours.
The great thing about online courses is that it’s self-paced. That means you can spread out your lessons across multiple days or just finish them in one sitting.
How much does online traffic school cost in St. Petersburg, Florida?
On average, the prices range from $20 to $50. Some schools add extra services and features, which is why the prices may spike up a bit. However, most of the time online traffic schools are cheaper than in-person traffic schools.
Conclusion
Having to take a driver improvement course may not be ideal, but opting for an online traffic school can lessen the hassle. You can take the course according to your schedule, on whichever device you choose.
A majority of online traffic schools also automatically report your certificate of completion to the Florida DHSMV or court handler, saving you the time and effort of filing it yourself.
Overall, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. An online traffic school may not have been in the plan, but it will help you become a better, more responsible driver.