The "10 and 2" rule is a hand position on the steering wheel, not a traffic school program
When you search for "10 and 2 traffic school," you are likely looking for information about either the hand position taught in driver's education or a specific traffic school course. The "10 and 2" hand position — where your hands rest at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions on the steering wheel — is a foundational driving technique. However, this positioning is not a traffic school program itself, and it does not appear as a named course you can take to reduce a ticket or clear points from your record.
If you received a traffic citation and are looking for a course to take, you need to understand what traffic school actually is: a defensive driving course that a court may allow you to take instead of paying a fine or accepting points on your license. The course content varies by state and provider, but the "10 and 2" hand position is straightforward one element of safe driving instruction that may appear in any defensive driving course.
Key Takeaways
- The "10 and 2" hand position is a steering wheel grip taught in driver's education and defensive driving courses, not the name of a traffic school program.
- Traffic school courses are court-ordered or court-approved options that may reduce fines or prevent points from being added to your driving record.
- To find the right traffic school for your situation, you need to contact the court that issued your ticket and ask what providers they accept in your state.
- Completing an approved traffic school course typically takes four to eight hours, depending on whether you take it online or in person.
- The "10 and 2" grip has been updated in some modern driver training to "9 and 3" for safety reasons related to airbag deployment.
How traffic school works after you receive a ticket
When you get a traffic ticket, the court that issued it may give you the option to take a defensive driving course instead of paying the full fine or accepting points on your license. This option is not automatic — you must ask the court whether it is available for your violation. Some violations, like reckless driving or driving under the influence, typically do not may have access to.
The court will tell you which traffic school providers it accepts. You then register with one of those providers, complete the course (usually online or in a classroom), and submit proof of completion to the court. The court then dismisses the ticket or reduces the points, depending on your state's rules. This process usually takes two to four weeks from start to finish.
What "10 and 2" actually teaches you
The "10 and 2" hand position means placing your left hand at the 10 o'clock position and your right hand at the 2 o'clock position on the steering wheel. This grip has been standard in driver's education for decades because it gives you good control of the wheel and keeps your hands out of the way of the steering wheel hub.
However, modern defensive driving courses increasingly teach "9 and 3" instead — hands at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. This shift happened because airbags deploy from the center of the steering wheel, and hands positioned at 10 and 2 can be struck by the airbag during a collision, potentially causing wrist or arm injuries. Your traffic school course will teach whichever position is current in your state.
Finding the right traffic school for your ticket
Start by contacting the court that issued your ticket. You can usually find the court's phone number on the ticket itself or by searching online for your city or county court. Ask the clerk whether you can take a defensive driving course to reduce your fine or points, and request a list of approved providers.
Once you have the list of approved providers, compare them on cost, format (online or in-person), and how quickly they can issue your completion certificate. Most online courses can be completed in one sitting, while classroom courses may require attendance on a specific date. Make sure the provider you choose is on your court's approved list — taking a course from an unapproved provider will not help your case.
Online versus in-person traffic school
Online traffic school is faster and more flexible. You can start and stop the course as needed, and you can usually complete it in four to six hours spread across one or two days. You will answer questions throughout the course, and you must pass a final exam to receive your completion certificate. Online courses are available in most states.
In-person classroom traffic school requires you to attend a session at a specific time and location, usually lasting four to eight hours in a single day. The instructor teaches defensive driving techniques, and you take a written exam at the end. Some people prefer the classroom format because an instructor can answer questions in real time, but it requires you to be available at a set time.
What happens after you complete traffic school
Once you finish the course and pass the final exam, the provider will issue a completion certificate. You must submit this certificate to the court within the important date they gave you — usually 30 to 60 days from when you took the course. You can submit it by mail, in person, or sometimes online through the court's website.
After the court receives your certificate, they will dismiss the ticket or reduce the points on your record, depending on your state's rules. Some states dismiss the ticket entirely, meaning it will not appear on your driving record. Other states reduce the points but keep the ticket on file. Ask the court clerk what the outcome will be in your case before you register for traffic school.
Cost and time commitment
Traffic school courses typically cost between $20 and $100, depending on your state and the provider. This is usually much less than paying the full fine for the ticket. The time commitment is usually four to eight hours for the course itself, plus the time it takes to submit your certificate to the court.
Some courts allow you to take traffic school only once every 12 or 18 months, so if you have received multiple tickets, you may only be able to use traffic school for one of them. Ask the court about this restriction before you register.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take traffic school online if I live in a state that does not allow it?
No. Traffic school rules are set by each state, and some states do not allow online courses. Your court will tell you what formats are available in your area. If only in-person classes are allowed, you must attend one to get credit for the course.
Does traffic school remove the ticket from my driving record?
It depends on your state. Some states dismiss the ticket entirely, so it never appears on your record. Others keep the ticket on file but remove the points. Ask your court clerk what will happen in your case before you take the course.
What if I fail the final exam in traffic school?
Most providers allow you to retake the exam at no extra cost. If you fail again, you may need to retake the entire course or pay the original fine. Check your provider's retake policy before you start.
Does traffic school work for all types of traffic violations?
No. Serious violations like reckless driving, driving under the influence, or driving with a suspended license usually do not may have access to. Your court will tell you whether your specific violation is may be able to access for traffic school.
How long does it take for the court to process my completion certificate?
Most courts process certificates within two to four weeks of receiving them. During this time, your ticket status may still show as pending. Once processed, you should receive written confirmation that the ticket has been dismissed or points have been reduced.