What DMV-approved traffic school means and where to find it
Traffic school in California is a course you take online or in person to dismiss a traffic ticket or reduce points on your driving record. The California Department of Motor Vehicles does not run traffic school itself — instead, it approves private companies to offer courses that meet state standards. When you complete an approved course, you send proof to the court that issued your ticket, and the court decides whether to dismiss the charge.
You can find DMV-approved traffic schools through the California DMV website, which maintains a searchable list of licensed providers. The list shows which schools are approved for different types of violations and whether they offer online, classroom, or both formats. Not every approved school handles every type of ticket, so you need to check whether your specific violation is covered before you enroll.
The course itself costs money — typically between $20 and $50 depending on the provider — and you pay the school directly, not the court. You will also owe court fees, which are separate. The school sends you a certificate of completion, which you then submit to the court along with any required court paperwork.
Key Takeaways
- The California DMV maintains a list of approved traffic schools on its website, searchable by county and violation type.
- You must check whether the school you choose is approved for your specific violation before enrolling, because not all approved schools handle all ticket types.
- Online traffic school courses in California typically take two to four hours to complete and can be finished in one sitting.
- After you complete the course, you receive a certificate of completion that you submit to the court, not to the DMV.
- Traffic school does not remove the ticket from your record — it prevents points from being added to your driving record if the court approves dismissal.
How to search the DMV's approved traffic school list
Start at the California DMV website and look for the traffic school provider search tool. You will need to enter your county and the type of violation on your ticket. The search returns a list of schools licensed to teach that violation in your area, along with their website addresses and whether they offer online courses.
Read the school's description carefully. Some schools specialize in certain violations — for example, a school might be approved for speeding but not for reckless driving. If you are unsure what violation is on your ticket, check the ticket itself or call the court that issued it. The court clerk can tell you the exact charge and confirm whether traffic school is an option for your case.
Once you have narrowed down schools that handle your violation, visit their websites to compare course length, price, and how long they take to issue your certificate. Some schools issue certificates when ready after you pass a final quiz; others mail them. If your court has a important date for submitting the certificate, choose a school that can deliver it in time.
What to expect from an online traffic school course
An approved online traffic school course in California covers California traffic laws, safe driving practices, and the consequences of traffic violations. The course is self-paced, meaning you control how fast you move through the material. Most courses take two to four hours to complete, though you can spread this over multiple days if the school allows it.
You will watch videos or read text lessons, then answer questions to show you understood the material. At the end, you take a final exam. You typically need to score at least 70 or 80 percent to pass, depending on the school. If you fail, most schools let you retake the exam at no extra cost.
The school will ask you to confirm your identity during the course — usually by entering your driver's license number and the ticket number. This prevents someone else from taking the course on your behalf. Once you pass, the school generates a certificate of completion with a confirmation number. Save this number and the certificate; you will need both when you submit proof to the court.
Scams and things to avoid
Do not use a traffic school that is not on the California DMV's approved list. Scammers advertise cheap or "may provide" traffic school courses online, but if the school is not licensed by the DMV, the court will not accept the certificate. Your ticket will not be dismissed, and you may face additional penalties for submitting false proof.
Be suspicious of any school that promises to dismiss your ticket without you taking a course, or that claims it can remove the ticket from your record entirely. Traffic school does not erase tickets — it only prevents points from being added if the court approves. The court makes the final decision on dismissal, not the school.
Do not pay anyone to enroll in traffic school for you. You must take the course yourself and confirm your identity during it. If someone offers to do it for you, that is fraud, and you could face criminal charges in addition to your original ticket.
Watch out for schools that charge significantly more than others on the approved list. While price varies, a course that costs $200 when others cost $30 is a red flag. Compare prices on the DMV's list before you choose.
What happens after you complete the course
After you pass the final exam, the school issues your certificate of completion. read and print it, or request a paper copy if the school mails certificates. The certificate will have a confirmation number and the date you completed the course.
Next, contact the court that issued your ticket. Ask the court clerk what documents you need to submit along with your certificate. Most courts want the certificate, your ticket number, and a form requesting dismissal or point reduction. Some courts have you submit these by mail; others accept online submission through their website.
Submit your certificate and any required forms before the important date on your ticket. If you miss the important date, the court may not accept the certificate, and your ticket will stand. Keep a copy of everything you submit and note the date you sent it.
The court will review your submission and decide whether to dismiss the ticket or reduce the points. This usually takes two to four weeks. You will receive a notice in the mail confirming the court's decision. If the ticket is dismissed, no points are added to your driving record.
When traffic school is not an option
Traffic school is not available for all violations. You cannot use it for serious offenses like reckless driving causing injury, driving under the influence, or hit-and-run. You also cannot use traffic school if you have taken a traffic school course in the past 18 months, or if you were driving a commercial vehicle when you received the ticket.
Some courts limit traffic school to first-time offenders or to violations below a certain speed threshold. Call the court that issued your ticket to ask whether traffic school is an option for your specific case. The court clerk can tell you whether you are may be able to access and what your other options are.
If traffic school is not available, you can still contest the ticket in court, pay the fine, or ask the court about traffic violator school, which is different from traffic school and has its own rules.
Cost and timeline
Traffic school course fees range from about $20 to $50, depending on the provider. You pay the school directly when you enroll. This is separate from any court fees or fines associated with your ticket.
The course itself takes two to four hours to complete. Most schools issue your certificate when ready after you pass the final exam, though some mail certificates, which can take five to ten business days. Check the school's timeline before you enroll, especially if your court has a important date for submitting the certificate.
The entire process — from enrolling in traffic school to the court's decision — typically takes three to six weeks. Start as soon as possible after your ticket to leave time for the school to issue your certificate and for the court to process it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take traffic school if I already paid my ticket?
Yes, but you should contact the court first. Some courts will refund your payment if you complete traffic school and the ticket is dismissed. Others will not. Ask the court clerk before you enroll in traffic school so you know whether you will get your money back.
What if I fail the final exam?
Most approved traffic schools let you retake the final exam at no extra cost. You can usually retake it when ready or within a few days. If you fail multiple times, contact the school's customer service — they may offer additional study materials or let you restart the course.
Do I have to take the course all at once?
Most online traffic schools allow you to pause and resume the course over several days, though some require you to finish within a certain timeframe, like 30 days. Check the school's rules before you enroll. You cannot take breaks longer than the school allows, or your progress may be erased.
What if the court rejects my certificate?
Contact the court when ready to ask why the certificate was rejected. Common reasons include submitting it after the important date, the school not being approved for your violation type, or missing required paperwork. The court clerk can tell you what went wrong and whether you can resubmit or take a different course.
Will traffic school affect my insurance rates?
If the court dismisses your ticket, no points are added to your driving record, so your insurance company should not see the violation. However, some insurance companies may still find out about the ticket through other means. Contact your insurance company to ask how they handle dismissed tickets and whether your rates will change.