CarsDirect

How Much Does the Average Red Light Camera Ticket Cost? - CarsDirect

2010-12-09T19:42:23Z

The average red light camera ticket cost is very much open to interpretation, and has about as many holes in it as a piece of Swiss cheese. For example, California is supposed to be charging $500 for a left turn violations. However, in Santa Ana, a judge has put the program on hold, and in another jurisdiction, the cost is far lower. In Texas, where the cost is supposed to be about $100, judges have put their boots to the program and are charging between $1 and $72. In New York and Washington, D.C., judges are knocking down the fines until they finally make a ruling on the constitutionality of the red light system. (Some argue it amounts to a violation of the fourth and sixth amendments.)

How Much is a Red Light Ticket in California? - CarsDirect

2010-12-09T19:42:23Z

This is an in interesting question as there are some jurisdictions that may charge more or less than the standard $500, so it pays to ask, "how much is a red light ticket in California?" As noted, the typical red light ticket is $500. You will receive it because of camera systems that record your car and license plate, plus the time and date of the infraction. There is some question right now, about the future direction of the fine, but until the legislature makes up its mind, it is $500. There is also some rumor that the anti-fee forces may try to force it back with another of their petition drives.

I Lost My Traffic Ticket. Where can I Get a Copy of it? - CarsDirect

2010-12-09T19:42:23Z

If you can utter the phrase, "I lost my traffic ticket," you should next ask, "What can I do?" Some people think that if they don't get a notice from the court or a letter, then there's been no resolution and they can go on as if nothing happens until a black-and-white pulls up to the house and takes you out in cuffs. If you lose your traffic ticket and remember the jurisdiction where the incident happened, then go to the Traffic Bureau and ask for a copy. If you cannot obtain it there, try your local courthouse where it is likely to be in the computer system or your local DMV branch, as well.

How can I Check My Traffic Ticket Status? - CarsDirect

2010-12-09T19:42:23Z

You can use the Internet for the most part to check traffic ticket status. If your state's court system allows consumer access to their computer system. If you knew the Docket number of the case, you could easily find out the status of your ticket. On the other hand, if there's no Internet access, you will have to call the Clerk's office, give them the Docket number and wait for their answer on the status of your ticket. This will be the most likely route you will have to use to find the status.

What is the Average CA DMV Car Registration Fee? - CarsDirect

2010-12-09T19:42:23Z

Coming up with an average CA DMV car registration fee isn't a very simple process. The base calculation for a registration fee in the state of California is based on a percentage of the purchase price of a vehicle for new purchases. Cars that aren't new purchases are calculated based on a fair market value. The California Department of Motor Vehicles provides calculators to determine new purchase registration fees, non-resident vehicle registration, used vehicle purchase and renewal registration. All calculations are meant to be estimates, though, because other fees might be assessed based on the particular situation.

What is the Average Red Light Ticket Cost? - CarsDirect

2010-12-03T22:15:41Z

A red light ticket will cost you anywhere between $50 and $500, depending on the jurisdiction. For example, in some California jurisdictions, the fee for running a red light is $500, and that includes a refresher course at a driving school. While other cities determine the cost of running a red light in the $200-plus range. Some cities are considering cutting the red light ticket fee. Note that in some states, like Massachusetts, where the red light fine is between $50 and $100, it is also considered a moving violation. This means you will have a six-year surcharge on your car insurance, which will effectively raise the cost of the ticket considerably.

License Plate Fees to Expect for Common Vehicle Plate Issues - CarsDirect

2010-10-20T16:21:06Z

You need a new license plate but first, you need to find out the license plate fees. If you're just interested in a replacement tag, then the license plate will cost about $5. Perhaps you are interested in procuring a specialty plate, or a custom license plate.

There are a myriad of license plates to choose from and various prices to pay. You must decide whether you're interested in purchasing a vanity plate, custom license plates, a specialized license plate or a combination of the two. Your choices in specialized license plates are limited to the state where you are located. For example, if you would like to purchase a New York Yankee-themed license plate, you would be unable to do so if you live in any state other than New York. Special license plates are divided into categories and prices, and have varying fees associated with their purchase. In addition to the renewal fees, you must add the annual registration fees.

Custom or Vanity Plates

Cost range is between $25 and $30
Renewal fee is between $25 and $30

College and University License Plates

Cost range is between $25 and $50
Renewal fee is between $25 and $30
A percentage of the renewal fee goes to the school

Organization License Plates, Sports Teams and Professional Plates

Cost range is between $25 and $50
Renewal fee is between $25 and $30
A percentage of the renewal fee goes to the organization or Team Charities

Military Related Plates

Cost range is between $5 and $25
Renewal fee is between $5 and $20
There are usually applications to be submitted and requirements that have to be met.

Special Interest Plates

Cost range is between $10 and $30
Renewal fee is between $10 and $20
Depending on the tag, there could be special applications that must be submitted, and requirements that need to be met.

Breaking Down Fatal Accident Statistics for Better Safe Driving - CarsDirect

2010-10-14T16:49:16Z

State and municipal police departments are putting fatal accident statistics under a microscope of intense study. By putting together after-accident reconstruction teams, they hope to make driving safer for everyone. For example, when accident reconstruction teams looked closely at many of the Toyota fatalities caused by gas-pedal problems last year, the automaker, working with the police and federal authorities, put out a voluntary recall for more than 4 million vehicles.

It took the combined resources of state and federal authorities to look closely at the accidents and break them down so they could get an idea of what happened. As an example of a recent accident, a car ended upside-down in a culvert after having left only the faintest of skid marks. It was as if the driver didn't have time to react, and it turns out that the driver didn't. It was just a piece of equipment that failed at the wrong time and place. Still, it might have been blamed on excessive speed or alcohol had it not been for the forensic reconstruction team.

Such teams across the nation are looking over accident stats in an effort to find the causes of fatalities and to cut them even further. To date, fatal accidents are down to about 30,000 per year on the nation's roads. This is due to a crackdown, not only on drunk driving, but also aggressive driving and "road rage." The research has taken these drivers off the road and has made them better drivers by requiring that they take a refresher driving course (it's not voluntary) where they confront themselves and their anger management issues.

Not only are they studying accidents after they happen, but they are also as proactive as possible in preventing accidental deaths by summoning life-flight helicopters as quickly as possible. Investigators know that the sooner a person gets to a treatment facility, the better his or her chances are for a compete recovery.

The number one cause of motor vehicle fatalities is still alcohol. Investigators are trying to put their collective arms around this problem, as well as the problems faced by the distractions posed by cell phones. So far, cell phone use behind the wheel is banned in six states, and 30 states have banned texting altogether.

In the final analysis, accidents still occur because systems fail or tires pick up nails and blow out. No matter how it happens, you can be sure that forensic accident review teams will be going over crash sites very closely. It's their job to find any mechanical or driver problems as they try to raise our level of driving ability and awareness of the world around us.

The Most Popular DMV Study Guide Resources - CarsDirect

2010-10-14T16:49:16Z

You're about to take a drivers license test, and you need a DMV study guide. There are many of them available, some better than others. The best source for information on what's covered in DMV tests is your state's driver's manual or handbook.

Online Sources
There are a number of places you can visit online to take practice DMV tests and study a DMV study guide. One of these sites is known as the unofficial DMV Guide site. Other sites also specialize in manuals and study guides.

State Specific Driver's Handbooks
The best source for a DMV study guide is the driver's manual or handbook provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state. The manuals provided by your state are going to be more up to date than those from a third party source.

Behind the Wheel Tests
You may not have problems with written tests, but have problems with practical tests. Because of this, you need to take a practice driving test before you go to the DMV and take the actual test. If you've been enrolled in a driver education course, one of the features of this course should be the offering of practice driving tests, both written and practical, until you feel comfortable enough to go take the actual test administered by your state.

How to Get a DMV Driver's Manual
In the DMV driver's manual, pavement marking, road signs, speed limits, and laws specific to your state are reviewed so you can know how to drive safely. The Department of Motor Vehicles is one place you can find a driver's manual, but it can also be found in other locations.

Online.If you don't have time to stop by the DMV or somewhere else for a driver's manual, go online and download it. Every state has a copy of their driver's manual on their DMV website
The library.Many libraries have DMV driver's manuals you can take home and keep. The manuals are often found in their community resources area or by the books for teens. If you aren't sure where to find them at your library, ask a librarian to point you in the right direction
Local high schools.Young people often obtain a copy of the DMV manual at their schools, which is often found in the counseling office's resource area, driver's education classroom, or school library. If you're a student and aren't sure where to find a copy of the DMV manual, ask the front office or your counselor
Police stations or public safety buildings. Most police stations and public safety buildings have copies of the DMV manual for automobile drivers and motorcycle riders. If you can't easily find a copy of the manual in the resource area, ask the clerk at the desk where they are or if they can give you one

DMV CDL Test Requirements and Tips - CarsDirect

2010-10-14T16:49:15Z

For the best chance of getting a passing grade on the Commercial drivers license test, study smarter and not harder. Here are some tips for getting a passing grade on the test.

You are able to mark the test, so make notes along the margins whenever you need to
Beware of absolutes, such as "always," "never," "greatest" and "must," which are usually not the best answer and are traps set up by the test designers
All the information contained in the questions is included for a valid reason. Do not ignore anything in the question because you need it to find the best answer
Don't let trick questions throw you off track. Though more than one possible answer may be technically correct, they're looking for the best answer

Commercial Drivers License Requirements

Drivers of buses, big trucks or those that drive company vehicles across state lines require a commercial license. There are both state and federal requirements that have to be met before any state will issue a commercial drivers license. Pick up your state's commercial drivers license handbook or commercial drivers license manual.

State Requirements

Minimum age.Federal law mandates that you be at least 21 years of age to be able to drive commercially across state lines. Some states require you to be at least eighteen, while others let you drive commercially at sixteen. For your specific state's age requirements for a commercial drivers license, refer to your commercial drivers license handbook or manual
Verification of identification.All states require that you positively verify your identity prior to the issuance of a commercial drivers license. This may take the form of presenting a current state drivers license or may require a birth certificate, social security card and some type of picture identification
Medical examination.Some states require you to obtain a medical clearance to obtain a commercial drivers license. In order to drive commercially inter-state, you need a federal certification, which requires a medical examination
Commercial driver's training class.Some states require you take a commercial driver's training class to learn the laws that pertain to commercial drivers. A competent authority must affirm you're ready to take the commercial drivers license test required in your state
Licensing tests.Every state has some sort of licensing test. In most states, this test will be two-fold. The first part is a written test on the rules of the road and laws as well as etiquette. The second part of the test requires you to demonstrate proficiency in handling a commercial vehicle. Commercial drivers license practice tests for your state can be found online by searching your state's motor vehicles department website
Ten-year history check. Federal law requires every state to require a ten year driver's history check if you check "yes" in the box asking if you have ever been licensed to drive in another state

Federal Requirements
New anti-terrorist laws have instituted new requirements at the federal level. If you're applying for a commercial drivers license and you are either a holder of a current HazMat endorsement, or you're applying for a renewal, you are required to undergo a TSA security threat assessment. This threat assessment includes a criminal background check. The TSA requires the following from you:

Current state drivers license or identification card
Commercial learner's permit
Federal fee of $94
Any other information or documents requested by the TSA agent

How to Look Up the Latest Auto Laws for Your State - CarsDirect

2010-10-14T16:47:35Z

States across the country have passed auto laws that crack down on texting behind the wheel, while others have seriously restricted the use of cell phones by teenage drivers.

30 States Ban Texting
Some 30 states have passed bans against any form of texting or computer use in the front seat while the car is in motion. That motion can include when the vehicle is stopped at a traffic light. This push has been part of a car laws reform package agenda of the American Automobile Association, which claims that texting is the equivalent of driving under the influence with a 0.8 blood alcohol level.

The texting ban also covers laptop computer use and email reception.

Teen Cellphone Use Banned
Auto regulations have been tightened across the country as teen drivers have been banned from any use of their cell phones while driving. Tickets are a chargeable offense, and will result in loss of license and an increasing scale of fines for each time a teen is found using a cell phone.

Senior Drivers Tested
Elders haven't escaped either, as more states have moved toward mandatory vision tests and other health tests when they hit 75. Although seniors may resent it, eyesight does begin to fail after age 75 or so.

3 Auto Laws Everyone Should Know
Generally, auto regulations help to ensure drivers maintain functional and safe vehicles, and are less likely to cause harm to themselves or others on the road. Additionally, auto rights organizations help to set up rules like the lemon law that serve to protect car owners when they make the substantial investment of a car purchase.

Lemon Law
One of the most important car laws is the so-called lemon law, referring to cars that come from the dealership with unanticipated maintenance issues or functionality problems. Every car owner should expect to have to maintain their vehicle over the course of the car's lifetime, but lemon laws are designed to keep auto manufacturers and dealers from selling new cars that have deficiencies of some kind.

Each state has a lemon law, and the law is somewhat different according to your location. Generally, these laws entitle the consumer to free maintenance work over a variety of potential car problems within a certain period of time or number of miles driven after the car has been purchased. Many dealers and manufacturers offer warranty protection against damage and other malfunctions, but lemon laws may be applicable even after those warranties have expired. In order to make use of the lemon law in your state, take note of the proper reporting procedure and the time or mileage limitations.

Modification Laws
In order to keep cars safe on the road, many states have enacted laws to regulate the decorations or augmentations that can be made to cars. Among the most common of these laws is the tinted windows law, which regulates the darkness of the car window. Other laws may prohibit modifying a car by adding lights to it, adjusting the engine power, tampering with the muffler or other non-functional and optional alterations as well. Before beginning any custom work on your car, ensure your automobile will not be in violation of one or more of these regulations in your state or area.

Auto Insurance Laws
Every driver in the United States is required by law to possess auto insurance in case of accident or damage. There are a variety of laws related to insurance, but the most crucial thing for any driver to keep in mind is that auto insurance helps to protect all participants in an accident or crash. If you are pulled over for a separate violation and are found to not have auto insurance, you will face severe consequences.

Do Classic Cars Qualify for a Smog Exemption in California? - CarsDirect

2010-10-07T20:52:31Z

Classic cars do qualify for a smog exemption in California. By definition, a classic or antique car is any vehicle that is 25 years or more old. Since cars built before 1975 are exempt from the California smog certification program, owners are not required to have their vehicles checked for smog-producing emissions. This include oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbon emissions and carbon monoxide emissions. Pre-1975 cars have rudimentary emission control systems that usually consist of exhaust gas recirculation valves, as well as early manifold air pressure sensors. However, this is about the limit of any emissions add-on hardware. The other cure used was leaning out the fuel-air mixture as much as possible.

Which States Require a Front License Plate? - CarsDirect

2010-10-04T20:36:53Z

The United States have been requiring license plates to identify vehicles for over a century now, but not all are front license plate states. More states are requiring vehicles to have license plates on the front and rear of their vehicle for easier identification and to ease the use of red light traffic cameras. The states that require a front license plate are the following:

Alaska
California
Colorado
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Iowa
Maine
Maryland
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming

* Massachusetts requires at least one license plate, and it can be on the front or the rear of the vehicle, leaving it up to the driver.

Can I Pay My Vehicle Registration Online? - CarsDirect

2010-10-04T20:36:51Z

Yes, paying vehicle registration online is possible in California. Here is how to do it. You might have received a vehicle registration renewal notice in your mail which will tell you about the paperwork required and the fee that has to be paid. Payment options will also be listed. Log on to the California DMV site here to read more about the process and begin payment. Enter your vehicle number at the website. Select your payment option. Read the E-check payment options that are available and authorize payments. Inform your bank about the transaction and your vehicle registration number.

How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Lost Michigan Drivers License? - CarsDirect

2010-09-21T23:24:44Z

You've lost your driver's license from Michigan and you need a new one. You will need to go in to the local Michigan Secretary of State office and fill out the required form (Application for Driver's License Reinstatement), and bring proof of your identity. Acceptable forms of identity are a state issued ID, certified original birth certificate, valid and unexpired passport or military ID. For lost or stolen driver's licenses issued by the state of Michigan, the replacement fee is currently $9. This fee can be paid by cash, check or money order. Some offices may be equipped to take credit or debit cards.