Virginia's online traffic school courses must be approved by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, and you can find the full list on the DMV website under "Approved Traffic Schools."
The Virginia DMV maintains a roster of traffic schools that meet state standards for online instruction. These courses are designed to help you reduce points on your driving record or lower your insurance rates after a traffic violation. To take an online course, you must first check the official DMV list to confirm the school is approved — taking a course from an unapproved provider will not count toward your record.
The process is straightforward: find an approved school, enroll in the course, complete the lessons at your own pace (usually within 30 days), pass the final exam, and the school reports your completion to the DMV. Your driving record is updated within one to two weeks after the school submits the paperwork.
Key Takeaways
- The Virginia DMV publishes a list of approved online traffic schools on its official website, and you should verify any school is on that list before enrolling.
- Most approved online courses in Virginia take four to eight hours to complete and can be done on your own schedule, though you must finish within a set timeframe (usually 30 days).
- You will need to pass a final exam to receive a completion certificate, which the school then sends to the DMV on your behalf.
- Completing an approved course can reduce points on your record and may lower your insurance premium, but the exact benefit depends on your violation and your insurer.
How to Locate an Approved Virginia Traffic School Online
Start by visiting the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles website and navigating to the "Approved Traffic Schools" section. The DMV lists all schools that meet state requirements for curriculum, instruction, and testing. The list includes the school name, contact information, and the course format (online, in-person, or both).
When you find a school that offers online instruction, check whether it covers your specific violation type. Some schools specialize in certain violations — for example, speeding versus reckless driving — and not all approved schools offer every course. The school's website or a phone call to their office will tell you whether they have a course for your situation.
Do not enroll in a traffic school that is not on the DMV's approved list. Completing an unapproved course will not reduce your points or satisfy any court order, and you will have wasted time and money.
What to Expect During an Online Traffic School Course
Approved Virginia online traffic schools follow a standard format. You log into the course portal, work through video lessons and reading materials at your own pace, and answer questions as you go. Most courses take four to eight hours to complete, though the time varies depending on the school and how quickly you move through the material.
You will be required to stay logged in and cannot skip ahead or fast-forward through videos — the course software tracks your progress to may support you actually complete the material. Some schools require you to answer a certain percentage of questions correctly before you can move to the next section.
At the end of the course, you take a final exam. The exam is usually multiple-choice and covers the material from the lessons. You must pass the exam (typically with a score of 70 percent or higher) to receive your completion certificate. If you do not pass on your first attempt, most schools allow you to retake the exam.
Timeline for Completion and DMV Reporting
Once you enroll in an approved course, you usually have 30 days to complete it, though some schools allow up to 60 days. Check your enrollment confirmation or the school's website for your specific important date. If you do not finish within the allowed time, you may have to re-enroll and pay the course fee again.
After you pass the final exam, the school generates your completion certificate and submits it to the Virginia DMV electronically. This submission usually happens within one to three business days. The DMV then updates your driving record, which typically takes one to two weeks from the date the school submits the paperwork.
You do not need to do anything after you pass the exam — the school handles the reporting. However, if you need proof of completion before the DMV updates your record, the school can provide you with a copy of your certificate when ready.
How an Online Course Affects Your Driving Record and Insurance
Completing an approved traffic school course in Virginia removes points from your driving record for the violation you were cited for. The number of points removed depends on the violation type, but most traffic violations carry three to six points, and a completed course removes all of them.
A lower point total can prevent your license from being suspended and may lower your car insurance premium. However, insurance companies set their own policies about how much they discount for traffic school completion, and not all insurers offer the same reduction. Some insurers may not reduce your rate at all if the violation was serious (such as reckless driving or driving under the influence).
Contact your insurance company before you enroll to ask whether they offer a discount for traffic school completion and how much the discount is. This information can help you decide whether the course fee is worth the potential savings.
Cost and Payment for Approved Virginia Online Traffic Schools
The cost of an approved online traffic school course in Virginia varies by school, but most charge between $25 and $50 for a standard course. Some schools offer discounts if you pay upfront, and a few offer payment plans. The fee covers instruction, the final exam, and the certificate that is sent to the DMV.
When you enroll, you will pay the course fee directly to the school, usually by credit card or debit card through their website. The school will not charge you again if you need to retake the final exam, though some schools may charge a small fee if you need to re-enroll after your important date passes.
When You Cannot Use Online Traffic School in Virginia
Not every traffic violation can be resolved through traffic school. Virginia law prohibits traffic school for certain violations, including driving under the influence, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and hit-and-run. If you were cited for one of these offenses, you will need to handle the citation through the court system instead.
Additionally, you can only use traffic school once every 12 months in Virginia. If you completed a course within the past year, you cannot enroll in another one until 12 months have passed from your previous completion date. This rule applies even if you have a new violation.
If you are unsure whether your violation is may be able to access for traffic school, contact the Virginia DMV or the court that issued your citation. The court clerk can tell you whether traffic school is an option for your specific case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take an online traffic school course if I got a ticket out of state?
No. Virginia traffic school courses are only for violations that occurred in Virginia. If you received a citation in another state, you must handle it through that state's court system or traffic school program. However, if you live in Virginia and received a ticket in another state, some states allow you to take their traffic school course online.
What happens if I do not pass the final exam?
Most approved Virginia traffic schools allow you to retake the final exam at no additional 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 allow you to restart the course.
Do I need to tell the court or the DMV that I am taking traffic school?
It depends on your situation. If the court ordered you to take traffic school as part of your citation resolution, you should confirm with the court that the school you chose is approved. If you are taking traffic school voluntarily to reduce points, you do not need to notify anyone — the school reports your completion to the DMV automatically.
How long does it take for the points to be removed from my record?
The school submits your completion certificate to the DMV within one to three business days after you pass the exam. The DMV then updates your driving record within one to two weeks. In total, you should see the points removed from your record within two to three weeks of passing the final exam.
Can I use traffic school if I have a commercial driver's license?
No. Virginia does not allow traffic school for violations committed while driving a commercial vehicle. If you hold a CDL and received a citation while driving a commercial vehicle, you must resolve it through the court system.