DMV-Approved Traffic School Courses Meet State Standards, Not a National List
There is no national DMV-approved traffic school list. Each state's Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent agency) sets its own rules about which traffic schools can operate within that state. A course approved in California is not automatically approved in Texas. When you search for "DMV approved traffic school," you are really looking for courses that meet your specific state's requirements — and those requirements vary significantly by state.
The code "E0138" you may have seen refers to a course identifier used by some states' DMV systems, but it is not a universal certification. It is a tracking number that helps a state's DMV know which course you completed and whether that course meets the state's standards for point reduction, insurance discount, or license reinstatement. If you are looking at a course with an E0138 code, check whether that code is valid in your state by contacting your state's DMV directly or visiting its official website.
Online traffic school courses are legal in most states, but not all. Some states require you to attend in person. Others allow online courses only for certain violations or only if you meet specific conditions — for example, some states let you take online traffic school only once every few years, or only if you have a clean driving record otherwise. Before you enroll in any course, verify that online instruction is permitted for your situation in your state.
Key Takeaways
- Traffic school approval is set by your state's DMV or transportation agency, not by a national body, so you must check your state's specific rules before enrolling.
- Course codes like E0138 are state-specific identifiers and do not transfer between states or may provide approval outside the state that issued them.
- Online traffic school is legal in most states but prohibited in some, and many states limit how often you can take it or what violations it covers.
- Completing an approved traffic school course may reduce points on your record, lower your insurance rates, or help you avoid license suspension, depending on your state and violation.
- You must verify that a specific course is approved in your state before paying for it, because completing an unapproved course will not give you any of the benefits you are seeking.
How State DMV Approval Works for Traffic Schools
Each state's DMV or Department of Transportation maintains a list of traffic schools that meet that state's standards. These standards typically cover course content (what topics must be taught), instructor qualifications, testing procedures, and how the school reports completion to the DMV. A traffic school must explore for approval in each state where it wants to operate, and approval is not automatic.
When a traffic school is approved, it receives a provider number or course code. This code tells the DMV that the school has met the state's requirements. When you complete the course, the school reports your completion to the DMV using that code. The DMV then updates your driving record. If the code is invalid or the school is not actually approved, the DMV will not recognize the completion, and you will not receive any benefit — and you will have paid for a course that does not help you.
Some states publish their approved traffic school list online on the DMV website. Others require you to call or visit in person to confirm. A few states use a third-party vendor to manage the list. The safest approach is to ask your state's DMV directly: "Is [school name] approved in [your state]?" and ask for the provider number or course code. If the DMV cannot confirm it, do not enroll.
What Happens When You Complete an Approved Course
The specific benefits of completing traffic school depend on your state and the reason you are taking the course. In most states, completing an approved traffic school course allows you to reduce or remove points from your driving record for a single traffic violation. This is sometimes called "point reduction" or "traffic school dismissal." The number of points removed varies by state — some remove all points for the violation, others remove a set number (like 3 or 4 points).
In some states, you can use traffic school to keep a violation off your record entirely, which means your insurance company will not see it. In others, the violation stays on your record but the points are reduced. A few states allow traffic school only for certain types of violations — for example, speeding or unsafe lane changes — and not for others like reckless driving or DUI.
Insurance companies often offer a discount (usually 5 to 10 percent, though this varies) if you complete a state-approved defensive driving or traffic school course. This discount is separate from the DMV point reduction. You must ask your insurance company whether they offer this discount and whether they require proof of completion. Some insurers accept the DMV's record; others want a certificate directly from the school.
Differences Between Online and In-Person Traffic School
Online traffic school courses cover the same material as in-person classes but allow you to complete them on your own schedule. You typically log in, watch videos or read lessons, answer questions, and take a final exam — all from home. The course usually takes 4 to 8 hours to complete, depending on the state's requirements, and you can spread it over several days or weeks.
In-person traffic school requires you to attend a classroom session, usually lasting 4 to 8 hours in a single day or split across two evenings. You listen to an instructor, take notes, and take a test at the end. Some people prefer in-person because they learn better in a classroom; others prefer online because they can work at their own pace and do not have to travel.
The key difference for your record and insurance is not the format — it is whether the course is approved in your state. An approved online course gives you the same DMV point reduction and insurance discount as an approved in-person course. An unapproved online course gives you nothing, no matter how thorough it is. Format does not matter; approval does.
How to Find and Verify an Approved Traffic School in Your State
Start by visiting your state's official DMV or Department of Transportation website. Look for a section labeled "Traffic School," "Defensive Driving," "Point Reduction," or "Approved Providers." Some states have a searchable database where you can type in a school's name and see if it is approved. Others publish a PDF list that you can read and search.
If your state's website does not have a list, call the DMV directly and ask: "Is [school name] approved for traffic school in [your state]?" Have the school's name and website ready. Ask the DMV for the provider number or course code. Write it down. If the DMV cannot find the school or says it is not approved, do not enroll, even if the school's website says it is approved in your state.
Be cautious of schools that claim to be "DMV approved" without specifying which state's DMV. Be cautious of schools that advertise heavily on social media or search ads with promises like "may provide point reduction" or "insurance discount." Legitimate approved schools do not need to make guarantees — the state's approval is the may provide. If a school's marketing sounds too good to be true, verify it with your state's DMV before paying.
What Happens If You Complete an Unapproved Course
If you complete a traffic school course that is not approved in your state, the school may issue you a certificate, but your state's DMV will not recognize it. Your driving record will not change. You will not receive point reduction. Your insurance company will not see proof of completion (or will not accept it as proof of an approved course). You will have spent money and time with no benefit.
In some cases, you may not realize the course was unapproved until after you have completed it and the DMV rejects the school's report. At that point, you have already paid. Some unapproved schools operate knowing they are not approved and count on customers not checking. Others are newly approved or newly unapproved and have not updated their websites. Either way, the burden is on you to verify before you enroll.
If you discover after completion that your course was not approved, contact your state's DMV and ask what your options are. Some states allow you to take an approved course later and have it count retroactively for the same violation. Others require you to take the approved course within a certain time frame. Do not assume you can straightforward take another course — ask the DMV what the rules are in your state.
Cost and Timeline for Approved Traffic School
The cost of an approved traffic school course varies by state and provider, typically ranging from $20 to $100 for an online course. Some states cap the price that schools can charge; others do not. In-person courses are often more expensive because they require an instructor and a physical location. Before you enroll, ask the school for the total cost and what is included — some schools charge extra for a certificate or for expedited reporting to the DMV.
The timeline depends on whether you are taking the course online or in person. An online course can be completed in one day if you have the time, or spread over several weeks. An in-person course is usually a single 8-hour session or two 4-hour sessions. After you complete the course, the school reports your completion to the DMV. This reporting usually takes 1 to 2 weeks, though some states are faster. Ask the school how long reporting takes in your state.
If you are trying to avoid a license suspension or meet a court important date, check the important date before you enroll. Some courts require proof of completion by a specific date. If the school's reporting time is longer than the time you have left, you may not meet the important date. Ask the school whether they can expedite reporting, and ask the court whether they accept a completion certificate from the school as proof while you wait for the DMV's official record to update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take traffic school online in every state?
No. Some states require in-person attendance, and others allow online only for certain violations or only if you meet specific conditions. A few states limit how often you can take online traffic school — for example, once every three years. Check your state's DMV website or call to confirm that online traffic school is permitted for your situation before you enroll.
Will traffic school remove the violation from my driving record?
It depends on your state. Some states remove the violation entirely if you complete traffic school. Others keep the violation on your record but remove the points. A few states do neither — they straightforward allow you to take the course for an insurance discount. Ask your state's DMV what happens to your specific violation if you complete an approved course.
How much will my insurance rates go down if I take traffic school?
Insurance discounts for traffic school vary by company and state, typically 5 to 10 percent. Some insurers offer the discount automatically once they see the course completion on your DMV record. Others require you to ask for it or provide a certificate. Contact your insurance company and ask whether they offer a traffic school discount and how to claim it.
What if the school I want to take is not on my state's approved list?
Do not enroll. Completing an unapproved course will not reduce points, will not help your record, and will not may have access to you for an insurance discount. Your state's DMV will not recognize it. If you cannot find an approved school in your area, contact your state's DMV and ask for a list of approved providers or ask whether any schools offer online courses that are approved in your state.
Can I take traffic school more than once?
Most states allow you to take traffic school once per violation, but many limit how often you can take it overall — for example, once every three years or once every five years. Some states have no limit. Check your state's rules before you enroll, especially if you have had multiple violations recently.