California DMV maintains an official list of approved online traffic schools
The California Department of Motor Vehicles does not publish a single master list of approved online traffic schools on its website. Instead, the DMV approves individual schools that meet state standards, and those schools are responsible for reporting their approval status to you. When you search for an online traffic school in California, you are looking for schools that hold current DMV approval — not a list you check first.
The fastest way to find an approved school is to search the internet for "California DMV approved online traffic school" and verify the school's approval directly on its website or by calling the school before you enroll. Every legitimate California traffic school displays its DMV approval number prominently on its homepage. If a school does not show this number, it is not approved.
You can also contact the DMV directly at 1-800-777-0133 to ask whether a specific school is approved, though this takes longer than checking the school's own website. The DMV's phone line can confirm approval but cannot recommend schools.
Key Takeaways
- The DMV approves individual traffic schools but does not maintain a public searchable list; you verify approval by checking each school's website for its DMV approval number.
- Every DMV-approved online traffic school must display its approval number on its homepage, and you should never enroll in a school that cannot show you this number.
- California requires the school to report your completion directly to the DMV, so you do not submit the certificate yourself.
- Approved schools charge between $20 and $50 for the course, and the price does not indicate quality or approval status.
- The course takes four to eight hours to complete depending on the school, but you can log in and out as many times as you need.
What makes a California traffic school DMV-approved
The DMV approves traffic schools that meet specific requirements set out in California Vehicle Code Section 1808.7. The school must use a curriculum that covers safe driving practices, the effects of drugs and alcohol, and California traffic laws. The course must be interactive — not just a video you watch passively — and the school must use a proctored final exam or some method to verify that you actually completed the course.
The school must also have a physical address in California and maintain records of every student who completes the course. The DMV does not approve schools based on how straightforward they are or how fast you can finish; it approves them based on whether they meet these structural requirements.
Once approved, a school receives a DMV approval number. This number is the only reliable way to confirm that the school is legitimate. Scams and unapproved schools often claim to be "DMV-approved" without showing a real approval number, so always ask to see it before you pay.
How to verify a school's DMV approval status
Visit the school's website and look for the DMV approval number in the footer, on the homepage, or in a section labeled "About Us" or "Approval." The number looks like this: DMV Approval #XXXX. Write down the number or take a screenshot.
If the school does not display an approval number anywhere on its website, do not enroll. Call the school's customer service line and ask them directly for the approval number. If they cannot provide one or give you a vague answer, the school is not approved.
You can also call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 and give them the school's name and approval number. The DMV can confirm whether that number is real and currently active. This step is optional but useful if you are unsure.
What to expect during enrollment and course completion
Once you choose an approved school, you will create an account on its website and enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the violation or accident you are taking the course for. The school will ask you to confirm that you are taking the course for traffic school purposes, not just for general knowledge.
You will then log in to the course and work through the material at your own pace. Most schools allow you to pause and resume the course over several days. You cannot skip ahead or fast-forward through videos; the course is designed to take a minimum amount of time, usually four to eight hours depending on the school.
At the end, you will take a final exam. Most schools require you to pass with a score of 70 percent or higher. If you fail, you can retake the exam, usually for free. Once you pass, the school will submit your completion record directly to the DMV using your driver's license number. You do not need to print anything or mail anything to the DMV.
Cost and payment options for online traffic school
Approved California online traffic schools charge between $20 and $50 for the full course. The price varies by school but does not reflect the quality of the course or the likelihood that the DMV will accept your completion. A $20 course and a $50 course are equally valid to the DMV as long as both schools are approved.
Most schools accept credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. Some accept bank transfers. You pay when you enroll, before you start the course. If you do not complete the course within a certain time frame — usually 60 days — you may need to pay again to re-enroll, so check the school's refund and re-enrollment policy before you pay.
Be cautious of schools that advertise prices significantly lower than $20 or significantly higher than $50. Extremely cheap schools may not be legitimate, and extremely expensive schools may be charging you for services the DMV does not require.
Common mistakes when choosing an online traffic school
The most common mistake is enrolling in a school without verifying its DMV approval number. Many websites rank or review traffic schools, but these rankings do not mean the school is approved by the DMV. A highly-rated school on Google or Yelp may still be unapproved. Always check the school's own website for the approval number.
Another mistake is assuming that the fastest or cheapest school is the best choice. The DMV does not care how quickly you finish or how little you paid. All approved schools meet the same legal standard. Choose based on whether the school's interface works on your device and whether the course schedule fits your time.
A third mistake is not reading the school's policy on what happens if you do not complete the course within the allowed time. Some schools will refund your money; others will not. Some will let you re-enroll for free; others will charge you again. Read this before you pay.
What happens after you complete the course
Once the school submits your completion record to the DMV, the DMV will update your driving record to show that you completed traffic school. This process usually takes three to five business days. You do not need to do anything else.
The DMV will not send you a confirmation email or letter. You can check your driving record online through the DMV website using your driver's license number and date of birth. If the course completion appears on your record, you are done.
If you were ordered to take traffic school by a court, you may also need to provide proof of completion to the court. The school will give you a certificate of completion when you finish. Print this and keep it in case the court asks for it. Do not assume the school will send it to the court automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take online traffic school if I got a ticket out of state?
No. California traffic schools are only for violations that occurred in California. If you received a ticket in another state, you must take traffic school in that state or handle the ticket through that state's court system. California schools cannot report your completion to other states.
What if the school I chose is no longer approved by the DMV?
If you discover after enrolling that the school is not approved, contact the school when ready and ask for a refund. If the school refuses, you can file a complaint with the California Attorney General's office. Do not complete the course with an unapproved school; the DMV will not accept it, and you will have wasted your time and money.
Do I have to take the course all at once or can I spread it over several days?
You can spread it over several days. Most schools allow you to log in and out as many times as you need within a 60-day window. However, you cannot skip ahead or pause a video and come back to it later; you must watch each section in order without fast-forwarding.
What if I fail the final exam?
You can retake the exam, usually for free. Most schools allow you to retake it when ready or after a short waiting period. You must pass with a score of 70 percent or higher for the school to report your completion to the DMV.
Will taking traffic school keep points off my driving record?
Traffic school does not remove points from your record. It prevents the DMV from adding points in the first place. If you complete the course, the violation will still appear on your record, but the DMV will not assess the point value. This is why you must take the course within a certain time frame after receiving the ticket — the sooner you complete it, the sooner the points are prevented.