Unfortunately, this "Get Out of Jail Free Card" is not available to everyone. If any of the following conditions apply to you, you will not be able to get your ticket dismissed by taking an Illinois defensive driving class:

• You have already had two tickets dismissed within the last year by taking traffic school. Unfortunately, if you keep committing traffic offenses after taking defensive driving, the courts will begin to believe that you are either not teachable or not willing to take the course material seriously. Either way, three strikes and you're out!

• You have a commercial driver's license. People who drive for a living are held to a higher standard, and that means you can't keep a conviction off of your record.

• You have already attended both the 4 hour and the 8 hour defensive driving courses in the past year.

• You are under 21 and have been charged with any of the following violations: illegally transporting alcohol; passing or driving on the left side in a no passing zone improperly backing on a controlled access highway; failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian at a crosswalk or on a sidewalk; leaving the scene of a property damage accident; leaving the scene of an accident without giving aid or information; speeding more than 30 mph in excess of the speed limit; passing a school bus unloading children; reckless driving; failing to stop for an approaching train; or not having a valid driver’s license.