What California's DMV-approved online traffic schools are and how they work
California's Department of Motor Vehicles does not directly approve or operate online traffic schools. Instead, the Superior Court in your county approves traffic school providers if you have been ordered to attend as part of a traffic ticket resolution. When you receive a ticket and the court offers traffic school as an option, you can choose from a list of court-approved providers in your area — many of which offer online courses you can complete from home.
The key difference: the court approves the school, not the DMV. Your ticket came from a specific county court, and that court maintains its own list of vendors. If you were ticketed in Los Angeles County, you use Los Angeles County's approved list. If you were ticketed in San Francisco County, you use that county's list. The online course itself is self-paced, usually takes four to eight hours to complete, and ends with a test you must pass.
Once you finish and pass, the provider sends a certificate of completion to the court. The court then dismisses the ticket from your driving record — meaning it will not show up on your DMV record or affect your insurance rates. This is the main reason people choose traffic school: to keep the ticket off their record.
Key Takeaways
- Your county Superior Court, not the DMV, approves traffic school providers, and each county maintains its own list of vendors.
- You can only use traffic school if the court offered it as an option when you received your ticket.
- Online courses are self-paced and typically take four to eight hours, with a final test you must pass to receive a certificate.
- The provider sends your completion certificate directly to the court, which then dismisses the ticket from your driving record.
- You must complete traffic school within the important date set by the court, or the ticket will not be dismissed.
How to find your county's approved traffic school list
Start by identifying which county issued your ticket — this is printed on the ticket itself. Then go to that county's Superior Court website and search for "traffic school providers" or "approved traffic schools." Most counties post the full list of approved vendors on their court's public website, usually under a section for traffic or traffic violations.
If you cannot find the list online, call the traffic division of your county Superior Court directly. The court clerk can tell you which providers are currently approved and whether they offer online courses. Some smaller counties have fewer providers, so your options may be limited — but most urban and suburban counties have multiple online options to choose from.
When you find a provider, check that it is listed for your specific county. A school approved in Kern County may not be approved in Fresno County, even though they are neighboring counties. The provider's website should clearly state which counties it serves.
What to expect when you enroll in an online course
Once you choose a provider and enroll, you will receive login credentials to access the course when ready or within one business day. The course is broken into modules or chapters that you can complete in any order, and you can log in and out as many times as you need before the important date. Most providers allow you to pause mid-lesson and return later.
The content covers California traffic laws, safe driving practices, and the consequences of traffic violations. You will watch videos, read text, and answer questions as you go. Some providers include interactive elements like scenario-based questions where you choose the safest action in a given situation.
At the end, you take a final test — usually 10 to 20 multiple-choice questions — and must score at least 70 or 80 percent to pass, depending on the provider. If you fail, you can retake it, usually at no extra cost. Once you pass, the provider generates your certificate of completion and sends it to the court on your behalf or gives you a copy to submit yourself.
The cost and timeline for completing traffic school
Online traffic school in California typically costs between $20 and $50, depending on the provider and county. This is much less than the fine amount on your ticket, but it is a separate fee you pay to the school — the court fine itself is usually waived or reduced if you complete traffic school. Some providers offer discounts if you sign up early or use a promo code.
The timeline depends on your court's important date. When you received your ticket, the court should have told you the important date to complete traffic school — often 30 to 90 days from the ticket date. You must finish the course and have the certificate reach the court before that important date, or the ticket will not be dismissed. If you are unsure of your important date, call the court or check your ticket.
Most people complete an online course in one or two sittings, but you can spread it over several days or weeks as long as you finish before the important date. Plan to start at least one week before the important date to give yourself time to complete the course and allow the certificate to reach the court.
What happens after you complete the course
After you pass the final test, the provider will either email you a certificate of completion or give you the option to print one. Some providers automatically send the certificate to the court on file; others require you to submit it yourself. Check with your provider about their process — if they do not automatically submit it, you will need to mail or deliver a copy to the court's traffic division before the important date.
Once the court receives the certificate, a clerk will verify that you completed an approved course and dismiss the ticket. This usually takes one to three weeks. You can call the court's traffic division to confirm the ticket has been dismissed, or check your driving record through the DMV website a few weeks later.
The dismissed ticket will not appear on your DMV driving record and will not be reported to your insurance company. This means your insurance rates should not increase because of this ticket, and the violation will not count toward a license suspension.
When you cannot use traffic school or when it is not an option
Not every ticket is may be able to access for traffic school. California law excludes certain violations, including speeding more than 15 miles per hour over the limit, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and accidents involving injury. If your ticket is for one of these violations, the court will not offer traffic school as an option, and you will have to pay the fine or contest the ticket in court.
You also cannot use traffic school more than once every 18 months. If you completed traffic school within the past 18 months, you are not may be able to access to use it again, even if the court offers it. This rule prevents people from repeatedly using traffic school to dismiss multiple tickets.
If you are unsure whether your ticket is may be able to access, call the court or ask the provider when you contact them. The provider can tell you when ready whether your violation qualifies.
Choosing between different approved providers
Since most counties have multiple approved providers, you may have choices. The main differences are usually price, course length, and how quickly they submit your certificate to the court. Some providers charge $20 and take four hours; others charge $45 and take eight hours. Neither is better — it depends on your schedule and budget.
Read reviews on the provider's website or search for feedback online, but remember that people are more likely to leave reviews if they had a bad experience. A provider with no reviews is not necessarily worse than one with five-star reviews. What matters most is that the provider is on your county's approved list and offers online courses.
Some providers offer rush processing, where they submit your certificate to the court within 24 hours instead of the standard three to five business days. This costs extra but is useful if your important date is very soon. If you have time, standard processing is fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take traffic school online if I live outside California?
Yes. You do not have to live in California to complete an online course — you only need to have received a ticket in a California county. You can take the course from anywhere with an internet connection, as long as you finish before the court's important date.
What if I fail the final test?
Most providers let you retake the test at no extra cost. You can usually retake it when ready or after a short waiting period. If you fail multiple times, contact the provider's customer service — they may offer a study guide or additional resources to help you pass.
Does traffic school remove the ticket from my record permanently?
Traffic school dismisses the ticket, so it will not show on your DMV driving record or be reported to insurance companies. However, the court may keep a record that you received the ticket and completed traffic school. For most purposes, the ticket is treated as dismissed.
Can I submit my certificate late if I miss the important date?
No. The court will not dismiss a ticket if the certificate arrives after the important date. If you miss the important date, you will have to pay the fine. If this happens, contact the court when ready to ask if there is any way to request an extension — some courts will grant a short extension in rare cases, but it is not may provide.
Will traffic school affect my insurance rates?
No. Because the ticket is dismissed and does not appear on your DMV record, your insurance company will not know about it, and your rates should not increase. This is one of the main reasons to complete traffic school.