California requires traffic school providers to be approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles, and you can take the entire course online from home
If you received a traffic ticket in California and want to keep it off your driving record, you can attend traffic school instead of paying the fine or contesting the ticket in court. The DMV maintains a list of approved traffic school providers, and most of them offer online courses you can complete on your own schedule. You do not have to attend a classroom.
The course itself is straightforward: you watch videos or read material about traffic laws and safe driving, answer questions to show you understood the content, and receive a certificate of completion. You then send that certificate to the court that issued your ticket. The court removes the ticket from your record if you meet the important date — usually 30 days from the ticket date.
Not every ticket qualifies for traffic school. Serious violations like reckless driving, driving under the influence, or driving with a suspended license do not. You also cannot use traffic school more than once every 18 months. If you are unsure whether your ticket qualifies, call the court listed on the ticket itself.
Key Takeaways
- The DMV publishes a searchable list of approved online traffic school providers on its website; any provider not on that list will not satisfy your court order.
- Most online courses take four to eight hours to complete and cost between $20 and $50, though prices vary by provider.
- You must complete the course and receive your certificate before the important date set by the court, which is usually 30 days from your ticket date.
- The court, not the traffic school, decides whether to remove the ticket from your record, so you must submit your certificate to the correct court location.
- You can only use traffic school once every 18 months, so if you have used it recently, you may not be able to use it again for this ticket.
How to Find an Approved Traffic School Provider
Go to the California DMV website and look for the "Approved Traffic School Providers" list. This list is updated regularly and shows every provider the DMV has approved to offer traffic school in California. You can search by county or by provider name. Do not use a provider that is not on this list — the court will not accept a certificate from an unapproved school, and you will still owe the fine.
When you choose a provider, check whether they offer online courses in your county. Some providers operate statewide; others serve only certain regions. The provider's website will tell you which counties they serve. Most online providers let you start when ready and work at your own pace, though some have time limits on how long you can take to finish (usually 30 to 90 days).
Read the provider's pricing and course length before you enroll. Prices range from about $20 to $50 depending on the provider. Course length varies too — some take four hours, others take eight or more. The DMV does not set a standard price or length; each approved provider sets their own.
What Information You Need Before You Enroll
Have your traffic ticket in front of you when you sign up. You will need the ticket number, the court location, and the violation date. The provider uses this information to report your completion to the court. If you enter the wrong court or ticket number, your certificate may not reach the right place, and you could miss the important date.
You will also need to confirm the important date for completing traffic school. This important date is set by the court, not by the traffic school provider. It is usually 30 days from the date on your ticket, but some courts set longer or shorter periods. Check your ticket or call the court to confirm the exact date. If you miss this important date, the ticket stays on your record and you owe the fine.
Some providers ask for your driver's license number and date of birth to verify your identity. Have that information ready. You do not need to bring anything to an online course — no documents, no ID card to show in person.
How Online Traffic School Works Step by Step
After you enroll and pay, you will receive a login to access the course material. Log in and begin the course at any time. Most online courses are broken into sections or modules, each covering a different topic like speed limits, right-of-way, or distracted driving. You read or watch the material, then answer questions about what you learned.
You must pass the quizzes or tests at the end of each section. If you do not pass, you can retake the quiz. There is no time pressure — you can take as long as you need to answer the questions correctly. Some providers let you review the material before retaking a quiz; others do not. Check the provider's rules before you start.
Once you finish all sections and pass all quizzes, the provider generates your certificate of completion. This certificate shows your name, the course completion date, and the ticket number. read or print this certificate when ready. You will need to send it to the court.
Sending Your Certificate to the Court
Do not send your certificate to the DMV. Send it to the court listed on your ticket. The court address is printed on the ticket itself. Some courts accept certificates by mail, email, or in person; others use an online portal. Call the court's traffic division to ask how they prefer to receive certificates. Many courts now have a website where you can upload your certificate directly.
Send or submit your certificate before the important date. If the important date is 30 days from your ticket date and you finish the course on day 28, you still have time. If you finish on day 31, you have missed the important date and the court will not remove the ticket. Keep a copy of your certificate for your records, and if you mail it, consider using certified mail so you have proof of delivery.
After the court receives your certificate, they will update your record. This usually takes one to two weeks. You can call the court to confirm that your certificate was received and processed. Once the ticket is removed from your record, it will not appear on your driving history.
Tickets That Do Not may have access to for Traffic School
California law prohibits traffic school for certain violations. These include driving under the influence (DUI), driving with a suspended or revoked license, reckless driving, hit-and-run, driving without a valid license, and speeding more than 25 miles per hour over the limit. If your ticket is for one of these violations, you cannot use traffic school to remove it.
You also cannot use traffic school if you have used it within the last 18 months. This is a hard rule — even if you are may be able to access for traffic school based on the violation, the court will deny your request if you have already used it once in the past 18 months. Some courts allow you to use traffic school a second time if 18 months have passed; others have stricter limits. Call the court to ask about their policy.
If you are unsure whether your ticket qualifies, call the court listed on the ticket and ask. The court clerk can tell you in one call whether traffic school is an option for your violation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is using a provider that is not on the DMV's approved list. Some websites advertise traffic school courses that sound official but are not DMV-approved. The court will reject a certificate from an unapproved provider, and you will have wasted time and money. Always check the DMV's official list before you enroll.
Another mistake is missing the court important date. The traffic school provider does not set this important date — the court does. If you finish the course on day 35 and the important date was day 30, the court will not accept your certificate. Check the important date on your ticket or call the court before you enroll, and plan to finish well before that date.
A third mistake is sending your certificate to the wrong court. If your ticket was issued in Los Angeles Superior Court, send your certificate to that court, not to the DMV or to a different court. The address is on your ticket. If you are unsure, call the court's traffic division and ask for the correct mailing address or online submission portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take traffic school online if I live outside California?
Yes, as long as your ticket was issued in California. The course is online, so you can take it from anywhere. You must still send your certificate to the California court that issued your ticket before the important date.
How long does it take to complete an online traffic school course?
Most courses take four to eight hours to complete, depending on the provider and how quickly you work through the material. Some providers let you finish in one sitting; others spread it over several days. Check the provider's website for their typical completion time.
What if I fail a quiz in traffic school?
You can retake the quiz. There is no limit on how many times you can retake it. You must pass all quizzes to receive your certificate of completion.
Does traffic school remove the ticket from my driving record permanently?
Yes, if you complete the course and submit your certificate before the important date, the court will remove the ticket from your record. It will no longer appear on your driving history.
Can I use traffic school for a speeding ticket?
Yes, unless you were speeding more than 25 miles per hour over the limit. For speeding 25 mph or less over the limit, traffic school is usually an option. For speeding more than 25 mph over the limit, you cannot use traffic school.