Guides
- Effects of Cyberbullying: Complete Guide for Parents
- What is the DPPA?
- Petty Theft: Definition and Consequences
- What is a Life Sentence?
- How to Find Out if Someone Has a Warrant?
- Marriage License vs Certificate: Everything You Need to Know
- The Ten Most Popular Celebrity Mugshots
- How to Find Out if Someone is Married?
- How to Stop Phone Spoofing?
- How To Avoid Probate
- Dealing with abandoned vehicles in your neighborhood
- How to Find Someone's Cell Phone Number by Their Name
- Who Are the Worst Drivers in America?
- How To Find Unclaimed Money From Deceased Relatives
- What is a Digital License Plate?
- How to Find out if Someone Died?
- Murder vs Manslaughter: The Differences and Definitions
- How to Hire a Private Investigator?
- What Is a Number Neighbor?
- How to Find Out if Someone was Arrested
- How to Find Someone's Birthday?
- What is a Car Title
- How to Obtain a Police Report and Court Records?
- Filing a false police report
- Prison Valley: Look inside Prison Town
- How to Get Custody of a Child Without Going to Court?
- How to Find Someone’s Social Media Profiles?
- What to Do if Your Phone Is Tapped?
- What Is a Deed in Real Estate?
- Where Was The First US Federal Penitentiary Established?
- How to Find Someone's Location Using Their Cell Phone Number?
- What Is a Restricted Call?
- Who is the Most Dangerous Prisoner in the World?
- Poshmark Scams: How to Prevent and Report Them
- How to Find a Missing Person?
- How to Send Money to a Federal Inmate?
- DUI vs DWI: What're The Differences
- How Long After Buying a Car Do You Need to Register it?
- How to Find out Where Someone Lives?
- What Happens If You Get Caught Driving a Car Without Interlock
- Situational Crime Prevention: Theory, Techniques and Examples
- How Can I Find Out Who Called Me for Free?
- Gun Free Zone Statistics and Facts
- Online Threats and Digital Security: Trends, Types and Most Common Examples
- Cold Cases Guide for Police Officers and Investigators
- Court Order: Meaning, Types and Examples
- What Does a Fingerprint Background Report Show?
- How to Check Your Criminal Record?
- What is Tort Law?
- How to Calculate Child Support
- Property Rights: Definition, and Characteristics
- 12 Common Uses of Public Records
- US Antitrust Law
- Virginia Gun Confiscation Law
- How Do You Find Out Who Own a Property?
- Neighborhood Watch Program
- How to Perform a Mugshot Search?
- Crime Mapping
- Safest Colleges in Florida
- Veterans Guide to Cars and Driving
- U.S. Correctional System: Structure, Incarceration and Facts
- License Plate Laws in the US
- How to Locate Inmates and Access Jail Records?
- Email Hacking: Laws, Penalties and Protection
- Romeo and Juliet Laws
- Holiday Safety for Home and Family
- Differences between Criminal and Arrest Records
- Public Records and Property History: What is Public Information and What Isn’t
- How to Look up an Immigration Detainee?
- Famous Prisons in the USA
- How to Find Out Who Owns a Vehicle Using Reverse Lookup Tools
- How to Search for Your Family Tree?
- The Federal Judicial Center
- Mass Incarceration in the USA
- What is COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act)?
- Data Safety After The Capital One Breach
- Scholarships Guide for Students
- Complete Guide to Student Safety
- What Is a Vehicle Identification Number?
- Determining Divorce: 5 Types of Divorce You Must Know
- Sex Offenders: Complete Guide to be Protected
- New Privacy Laws and Public Records
- Motor Vehicle Registration in the US
- Digital Token Age: Security Laws and Regulations
- Copyright Law and Facial Recognition Technology
- What Shows up in a Background Report
- Car Repossession Laws: Dealing with Car Dealers and Auto Fraud
- How to Protect Yourself from Phone Scams
- Human Rights in the Prison
- Business Competition: Laws and Policies
- Hate Crimes: Reasons, Stats and Facts
- Starting a Business and Business Licenses
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Guidance
- Criminal Justice Reform
- Tax Reform Impact and Changes To Know
- Self-Driving Cars: Laws and Regulations
- White-Collar Crime: Statistics and Facts
- Have You Been Arrested? Cases You'll Need a Lawyer
- Getting a driver's license in the US: What to Know
- Car Theft in the US: Prevention and Facts
- Identity Theft Passport Program
- Changing your Name after Marriage: What You Need to Know
- Finding the Perfect Roommate: Dos and Donts
- What if You Get Into a Car Accident? A Complete Checklist
- Property Crimes: How to Burglar Proof Your Home
- Consumer Laws in the US: What Do They Mean for a Customer and a Business Owner
- Child Trafficking: The Scope, Understanding, and Prevention
- Business Assets: A Guide to the Financial Health of your Business
- Guide To The College Application: How, When and Where to Apply
- Which States Have “Stand Your Ground” Laws?
- Adolescent Depression Symptoms and Causes
- Things to Know About the U.S. State Department Travel Advisory System
- Inheritance in the US: With & Without a Will
- Online Dating Safety Guide for Men and Women
- Sexual Abuse in the U.S.: Laws and Statistics
- Supporting Children After Divorce: Child Custody Options
- Halloween Horrors Come to Life: Holidays Crimes in the U.S.
- Charity Scams in the U.S.: Be Aware and Protected
- Webcam Hacking & Spying in the US
- Sex Offender Search
- Freedom of Religion in the U.S.
- Senior Financial Scams: How are the Elderly Targeted and How to Avoid It
- Catcalling: Is it illegal? How to Deal With It
- A Complete Guide To Insurance Fraud: Common Types and Prevention
- Sextortion: What to Do if You Became a Victim of Blackmailing
- Concealed Carry: How to Protect Yourself on Campus
- Debt Collection Laws | Fair Debt Collection Act: What You Need To Know
- How Much Is My House Worth? Ultimate Guide to Home Buying and Selling
- What are the Traits of a Sociopath?
- Do You Know Who Your Neighbors Are?
- Learn How to Find Your Birth Parents
- The Importance of Public Records in Law
- Do You Know What's the Difference Between Jail and Prison?
- Homeowner’s Insurance, Is it a Public Record?
- The Disturbing Facts of Gun Violence in America
- How to Use Public Records in Marketing
- Best & Worst Cities for Driving
- LGBT Bullying
- What You Need to Know When Buying or Selling a Used Car?
- School Safety and Security Standards
- Guide to Making Your DMV Experience Hassle Free
- How to Prepare For an Active Shooter Incident
- How to Report a Crime?
- How to Protect Yourself Against Cyber Attacks
- 50 Things to Know When Filing for Divorce
- What to Do When You Are Stopped By the Police
- Tips for Back-to-School Safety and Security
- Guide to Filing for Bankruptcy
- How to Appeal the Court's Decision
- A User's Guide to Warrants
- How to Fight a Traffic Ticket?
- Keeping Your Neighborhood Safe For Your Family
- A Parent's Guide to Keeping Your Child Drug-Free
Veterans Guide to Cars and Driving
Veterans returning from active duty overseas face a variety of challenges when integrating into civilian society: nobody will kick your bunk to get you up in the morning, your uniform will be different, and transportation to work is unlikely to be a halftrack.
Getting a vehicle, a place to live (other than mom’s basement), and a job are first steps. Ensuring that you’re signed up for any necessary Veteran’s Administration (VA) services can be a time-consuming effort but is essential to long-term health.
Getting Back on The Road
There are plenty of places that offer military discounts for those with money in the bank and a need for transportation, but you need to do more than a VIN number lookup before you drive off the lot. Here are some tips:
- Read the fine print regarding the interest rate on any loan involved to avoid getting taken for a ride.
- Look past the slogans and shop around. Just because a company advertises special treatment for veterans doesn’t mean you’ll get a better deal. High fees can be hidden in the transaction that appears to give veterans a break.
- Experts suggest getting financing from your bank or credit union before car shopping, and avoiding dealer financing.
- Look beyond the monthly payment for a lease or purchase and figure out how much the financing will cost you ov cer time, then compare that to the future value of the vehicle.
- Buy a vehicle according to your needs, not your imagination. Sure, you may be used to driving two-ton trucks, but that’s not what you’re likely to need on a daily commute. Think of fuel costs for your new life, not the one in which Uncle Sam filled the tank.
Veterans and PTSD on the Road
If you have documented PTSD or your loved ones suggest that you may suffer from it, it’s best to get evaluated and learn about your triggers so you’re not putting yourself or your family at risk. Those with PTSD may react unexpectedly to loud noises, flashes of light, or other stimuli. If operating in a convoy was part of your deployment, you may find yourself hyper-aware of driving situations that include a feeling of claustrophobia brought on my heavy traffic, panic when there’s construction on the road or an unexpected detour, and vigilance about potential road-side dangers.
Studies show that veterans are at higher than average risk for accidents in the first six months after deployment, so letting someone else take the wheel during that re-integration phase is wise. Also, consider tailoring your driving to your issues, such as not driving at night or planning to take frequent breaks to relieve the tension of hyper-vigilance.
What to Do if You Are in a Car Accident?
If you have an accident, take a few moments to collect your thoughts. Follow these steps to ensure proper documentation of the incident for your insurance company, then get checked by a doctor, and be sure to mention your recent deployment or any PTSD issues so that you’re adequately examined for every potential issue:
- call police and tell them if an ambulance is necessary to handle any injuries;
- move the vehicles out of travel lanes and get yourself and your passengers away from the road to reduce the possibility of a chain reaction or secondary crash;
- get the other driver’s license plate number through license plate lookup and insurance information;
- get names and contact information from witnesses;
- if police do not come to the scene, take photos with your phone or sketch the scene, including direction of travel and presence of any stop signs or traffic lights;
- file a police report within the state’s time requirement (in the absence of a responding officer), and
- contact your insurance agency to alert them about the accident.
If you suffer from PTSD and have experienced a car accident, be aware that the two could be related. Deployments affect one’s ability to function in society, but that doesn’t mean you’re to blame. If you feel intense guilt about an accident or lose your drive to do everyday things like go to work or interact with family it could be a sign of depression, which affects many veterans.
VA Services: Driver’s Rehab
Getting checked out for a civilian life in which driving is an important factor is possible through the VA. Special services are available through the VA for those with cognitive or physical disabilities include adaptive driving mechanisms and programs. These may include steering wheel-mounted controls for acceleration and braking for those who have amputations or limited use of their legs as well as instructions for those with PTSD-related driving issues. Those who need a handicap-accessible vehicle or components, such as a wheelchair ramp, may find resources and suggestions through the VA as well.
Whether or not your disability is related to your service you may be eligible for an adaptive driving grant, which can pay most or all of the costs to retrofit your personal vehicle, allowing you to maintain your independence. This grant is limited to those with hand, foot, or eye disabilities. Check with the VA for more information.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Military Driver Programs
Many industries and state or regional governments offer preferential hiring to veterans. One that has offered a particularly beneficial program to those returning from deployment is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which offers a fast-track to a commercial driver’s license for those with experience in military vehicle use or driving, including:
- two years of safe driving on a military driver’s license;
- medical clearance, and
- meeting specific requirements set by your state of residence.
Even those veterans who are under age 21 but qualify for the program may be accepted into a pilot program for skipping the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) skills test and proceeding directly to a license, but theirs may limit interstate travel and does not allow the transport of hazardous materials.