Student Resources

Everything you need before, during and after your CSD class.

You do not need a Zoom account. You just need the app.

Already familiar with Zoom? You may want to read our Live Zoom Rules & Participation Standards before your class.

1. Install Zoom before your class

Download and install the Zoom app before your class day. The app is free.

Desktop or laptop (Windows or Mac)

1. Go to zoom.us/download.
2. Under "Zoom Desktop Client," click the Download button.
3. Open the file that downloads and follow the on-screen steps.
4. When it asks you to sign in, you can skip that step. You do not need a Zoom account to join a class.

Phone or tablet (iOS or Android)

1. Open the App Store (iPhone or iPad) or the Google Play Store (Android phone or tablet).
2. Search for "Zoom - One Platform to Connect".
3. Tap Install (iOS) or Get (Android) and wait for the download to finish.
4. You do not need to create an account.

Important: A laptop, desktop computer, or tablet is required for class. Phones are not allowed as your primary device.

2. Join your class

Your class link is sent in the reminder emails you receive one week and one hour before class. Look for the email from California Safe Driver in your inbox (and check your spam folder if you don't see it).

1. Click the Zoom link in your email. Your web browser will open.
2. A message may appear asking "Open Zoom?" or "Open in Zoom Meetings?" Click the button to open Zoom.
3. If nothing happens when you click the link, open the Zoom app on your device and click "Join a Meeting." Type in the Meeting ID from your email.
4. When you enter the meeting, you may be placed in a waiting room. The instructor will let you in when it is time.

Check in 45 minutes early. Your instructor needs time to check in all students before class starts.

You can also join from the student portal on this website. Your Zoom link becomes active 7 days before class. Go to My Account

3. Test your camera and microphone

Do this the day before your class, not five minutes before. That gives you time to fix any problems.

1. Go to zoom.us/test.
2. Click "Join." Zoom will open and walk you through a speaker test, microphone test, and camera test.
3. You should see your own face in the video preview and hear audio playing from your speakers. Both should work before you join class.

4. Audio and video troubleshooting

My microphone is not working

1. Check the microphone button at the bottom left of the Zoom window. If it shows a red line through it, click it to unmute yourself.
2. In Zoom, click the small arrow next to the microphone button and choose a different microphone from the list.
3. Check that your device's operating system has given Zoom permission to use the microphone. On a Mac: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. On Windows: Settings > Privacy > Microphone.
4. Restart the Zoom app and try again.

My camera is not working

1. Check the camera button at the bottom left of the Zoom window. If it shows a red line through it, click it to start your video.
2. In Zoom, click the small arrow next to the camera button and choose a different camera from the list.
3. Check that your device has given Zoom permission to use the camera. On a Mac: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera. On Windows: Settings > Privacy > Camera.
4. Make sure no other app is using the camera at the same time (FaceTime, Teams, another browser tab).
5. Restart the Zoom app.

I cannot hear other people

1. Check the volume on your device. Make sure it is not muted.
2. In Zoom, click the small arrow next to the microphone button and choose a different speaker from the list.
3. If you are using headphones or earbuds, try unplugging them and using your device's built-in speakers.
4. Restart Zoom.

5. Turning on closed captions

Captions (subtitles) will be on in English during class. They show what the instructor is saying. Zoom can also change captions to other languages, depending on your settings.

Five steps to get captions ready before class

1. Use a computer or tablet. Join class on a computer or tablet, not a phone.
2. Open the Zoom app.
3. Update Zoom. Click your name, then "Check for Updates."
4. Test Zoom. Go to https://zoom.us/test. Join the test meeting and click "Show Captions."
5. Check your language. Click the small arrow (^) next to the captions button. Choose "Translate" or "Caption Language" and pick your language.

If translation does not work in your language: You can still use English captions. Try updating Zoom again. Contact us before class if you need help. You may bring a support person to help you.

Zoom can display real-time captions of everything being said in the meeting. This is called Live Transcription.

Your instructor must enable Live Transcription for your class. Once they do, here is how to turn on captions on your side:

1. At the bottom of the Zoom window, find the CC button (it may say "CC" or "Live Transcript"). If you do not see it, click the three dots ("More") button at the bottom of the screen to find it.
2. Click the CC button and choose "Enable Auto-Transcription" or "Show Subtitles."
3. Captions will appear at the bottom of your screen while people are speaking.

If you do not see a CC button, the instructor has not yet enabled transcription. You can send them a message in the chat (see Section 7) to ask them to turn on captions.

Live Transcription shows English captions. To switch to one of 36 supported languages, see Section 6 below.

6. Captions in Español and other languages

Zoom has two different caption features. It helps to understand both:

Live Transcription (English)

Shows what everyone is saying in English, in real time. Many students who speak another language at home find it helpful because reading English captions is often easier than following fast spoken English.

Translated Captions (36 languages)

Our instructors pay for Zoom Translated Captions, so this feature IS available for our live classes. Zoom takes the live English audio and shows you captions in the language you pick. See the supported language list below.

How to set your caption language

1. Click the CC button at the bottom of the Zoom window.
2. Click the small arrow (^) next to the CC button and choose "Translate" or "Caption Language."
3. Select your language from the list.
4. The captions switch to your chosen language right away.

Honest caveat: Translation quality is best for English to a major language (Español, French, German, Mandarin). Some smaller languages have lower accuracy. If captions look wrong, switch back to English Live Transcription as a backup.

Tutorial de Zoom en Español

This Spanish-language tutorial walks you through joining your Zoom class and using the basic features. Featured for our Spanish-speaking students and Alive at 25^® Español enrollees.

7. Using the chat

The chat lets you send text messages during class without interrupting the speaker.

1. At the bottom of the Zoom window, click the Chat button (it looks like a speech bubble).
2. A panel opens on the right side of your screen. Type your message in the box at the bottom of that panel.
3. Use the "To:" dropdown to choose who receives your message. "Everyone" sends it to the whole class. "Host" sends it only to the instructor.
4. Use chat for questions during class. Use it also if you have a technical problem and cannot speak. Type your problem so the instructor knows what is happening.

8. Class rules - please review before joining

These rules apply to every live Zoom class. You agreed to them when you enrolled. They are summarized here so you have them in one place.

• Use a desktop, laptop, or tablet. A cell phone may not be your primary attendance device. Camera and microphone must work.
• Check in 45 minutes before class. Show your government-issued photo ID and your student book to the instructor at check-in.
• Stay on camera the entire class. Your camera must remain on for the full instructional time. Cameras off may result in removal.
• Stay awake, attentive and engaged. Return from breaks on time. Follow the instructor's directions.
• Only the registered student may attend. No other people on camera.
• Maintain a quiet, non-distracting environment. Dress appropriately for a professional educational setting.
• No alcohol, drugs, or impairment. You may not attend class while using or impaired by any substance that affects your ability to participate.
• No driving or riding as a passenger. You may not drive or operate machinery during class.
• No disruptive, threatening, harassing, obscene, or discriminatory conduct. Foul language is not acceptable.
• Internet loss longer than 5 minutes may result in removal. A stable connection is required for the full class.
• Noncompliance may result in removal and re-enrollment at full tuition. No refund or credit is issued for removal due to rule violations.

For the full policy, read the Live Zoom Class Rules.

9. If you get disconnected

1. Click the same Zoom link from your reminder email. You will rejoin the same meeting.
2. Your attendance record is not lost. Once you rejoin, the instructor will see you are back.
3. If you are disconnected for more than 5 minutes, you may not be able to complete the class. You may need to re-enroll and pay again. A stable internet connection is required for the full class.
4. If the Zoom link does not work after reconnecting, email our office immediately. info@californiasafedriver.com

10. Still stuck? Contact us

If you have worked through these steps and still have a problem, we are here to help.

Email: info@californiasafedriver.com
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time

For after-hours issues the night before your class, send an email with your name and the problem you are having. We will reply first thing in the morning.