Question about speeding tickets

[Jessica4Bama]

So I decided to get my first ever speeding ticket today. I have been pulled over before, but I have never received a ticket. The sheet he gave me said that if I had never had a citation in my lifetime that I could call the court, and request defensive driving school then the ticket would be dismissed. I got the ticket in Vestavia Hills, which is a good little drive for me. Would I have to go to driving school down there or am I allowed to go somewhere closer as long as it falls in line with what the courts require? Anyone know how this works? I will never have the opportunity again to get it dismissed so I'm thinking about using this opportunity instead of paying the $185 that I figure it would cost me.

The sheet said I could call, but their website states I have to appear in court on my court date. Anyone familiar with all this? What is driving school like?

 

[TideMom2Boys]

Of course you got one in Vestavia. I grew up there and those cops are the worst.


I am not sure about where to take the driving course. My husband has done that about 3-4 times..lol. But it is usually in Shelby County.

 

[TideMom2Boys]

And I think you still have to pay it. The course just keeps it off your record.

 

[CoachJeff]

Where'd you get caught?

My wife got a ticket last year in VH. She did driving school. It cost as much as the ticket and wasted an entire day.

Pay the ticket.

 

[ValuJet]

Call the court and explain your situation and they should let you take it closer to home. You may want to use lots of yes ma'ams or yes sirs when you are talking to them. Mom is right there - you'll have to pay for the course but it's worth it to keep it off your insurance and will be cheaper than paying the fine.

Good Luck

 

[ValuJet]

Where'd you get caught?

My wife got a ticket last year in VH. She did driving school. It cost as much as the ticket and wasted an entire day.

Pay the ticket.

I wouldn't pay the ticket. As for the classes, I got sentenced to driving school for a ticket in Florida and signed up for a one night Comedy Driving School. That's right - a standup comedian entirely sanctioned by Broward County to teach a driving course told sex jokes for three hours. It was better than having a monotone 20 year cop standing there giving everyone the evil eye. (It was Florida after all, BTW)

 

[CrimsonForce]

Where'd you get caught?

My wife got a ticket last year in VH. She did driving school. It cost as much as the ticket and wasted an entire day.

Pay the ticket.

Driving school keeps the ticket from showing up on your insurance and driving your premiums ^^^^

 

[Bazza]

You can do these classes now online - that's what I would do, Jessica.

I've had my share of tickets over the years. Finally learned to just slow down and avoid all the law enforcement hassles!

Good luck!

 

[Jessica4Bama]

Where'd you get caught?

My wife got a ticket last year in VH. She did driving school. It cost as much as the ticket and wasted an entire day.

Pay the ticket.

I was on I-65 where it goes down to 60 mph. Let's just say I was going a little faster than that so I don't blame anyone but myself. I always said if I ever got pulled over that I wouldn't lie, and I didn't. He asked me did I know how fast I was going. I said 80. He said I clocked you at 85 then you slowed to 82. He could have given me a reckless driving ticket. It's weird though he didn't write my speed or the speed limit on my ticket.

 

[Jessica4Bama]

You can do these classes now online - that's what I would do, Jessica.

I've had my share of tickets over the years. Finally learned to just slow down and avoid all the law enforcement hassles!

Good luck!

What is funny is I slowed down on the way home where I had saw cops camped out on the way down to the beach. I didn't expect a dude on a motorcycle to pull me over. Haha. When I finally pulled back on the interstate, he had already pulled another person over. Not 5 minutes after he wrote me one. The months almost up. Haha.

 

[Jessica4Bama]

So will I still have to pay the ticket and school cost or just school cost if I choose that route?

 

[TideMom2Boys]

So will I still have to pay the ticket and school cost or just school cost if I choose that route?

I just asked my husband. Last ticket he had was about 5-7 years ago. He said he paid the ticket plus the course. The course was about $60.

 

[Jessica4Bama]

I just asked my husband. Last ticket he had was about 5-7 years ago. He said he paid the ticket plus the course. The course was about $60.

That is interesting. I wonder if it was because he had prior tickets?

This is what their website states:

Driving School Option

If this is the first ticket you have received in your lifetime, anywhere, you are eligible to come to court on your court date and request driving school and community service from the Judge. You will be given complete instructions and details in court. No money is required that evening. DO NOT PAY TICKET IF YOU WISH TO HAVE THE DRIVING SCHOOL OPTION.​

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[TideMom2Boys]

That is interesting. I wonder if it was because he had prior tickets?

This is what their website states:

Driving School Option

If this is the first ticket you have received in your lifetime, anywhere, you are eligible to come to court on your court date and request driving school and community service from the Judge. You will be given complete instructions and details in court. No money is required that evening. DO NOT PAY TICKET IF YOU WISH TO HAVE THE DRIVING SCHOOL OPTION.​

Hmm...that is interesting. Good, I hope you don't have to pay both. Things could have changed over the years too.

 

[Crimson1967]

How did you get a ticket? I thought you were hawt.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

How did you get a ticket? I thought you were hawt.

that was my thought too. maybe she should have showed a little leg or chesticles.


by the way Jessica, I did driving school a long time ago, but was told by the judge I would not save any money that day. Driving school plus court costs were just as much as the ticket. My offense was really bad because I was going 80 in a 35. i got sentenced to driving school for a Saturday (my instructor was an elementary school teacher and smoking hawt but i digress). I was also sentenced to attend the childrens hospital trauma ward. I saw small children with head injuries due to bad careless drivers, bad parents, and just accidents. It was very humbling and slowed me down since that day.

 

[Tide1986]

I was on I-65 where it goes down to 60 mph. Let's just say I was going a little faster than that so I don't blame anyone but myself. I always said if I ever got pulled over that I wouldn't lie, and I didn't. He asked me did I know how fast I was going. I said 80. He said I clocked you at 85 then you slowed to 82. He could have given me a reckless driving ticket. It's weird though he didn't write my speed or the speed limit on my ticket.

They were trolling the I-65/31 interchange area this morning. I thought, "This little area really has no meaningful impact on traffic safety in VH or Hoover -- it's just an opportunity to fill the coffers."

 

[Jessica4Bama]

that was my thought too. maybe she should have showed a little leg or chesticles.


by the way Jessica, I did driving school a long time ago, but was told by the judge I would not save any money that day. Driving school plus court costs were just as much as the ticket. My offense was really bad because I was going 80 in a 35. i got sentenced to driving school for a Saturday (my instructor was an elementary school teacher and smoking hawt but i digress). I was also sentenced to attend the childrens hospital trauma ward. I saw small children with head injuries due to bad careless drivers, bad parents, and just accidents. It was very humbling and slowed me down since that day.

Oh he didn't give me much of a chance to do anything. He didn't ask me any questions until after I received the ticket. Usually they talk to you beforehand (or in my experience anyway) then write the ticket but not this time. This should have been my third ticket, but somehow I got out of the other two. My good looks didn't win this time.

 

[Jessica4Bama]

They were trolling the I-65/31 interchange area this morning. I thought, "This little area really has no meaningful impact on traffic safety in VH or Hoover -- it's just an opportunity to fill the coffers."

Exactly where I got pulled over. The ticket says 65 north at US 31. I would have still been speeding if the limit was 70, but I didn't pay attention to it going to 60. Lesson learned.

Now why didn't he write the speed limit and how fast I was speeding on the ticket?

 

[RammerJammer14]

I think it depends on the county/judge in the jurisdiction. Some will let you take care of whatever you have to take care of near your home. Some require you to physically show up at their courthouse. I had an issue earlier this year where I had to show proof of a boating license. Had to miss work and drive all the way across Alabama to show them my license because the judge wouldn't allow me to present it at a local courthouse. Driving course may be different tough.