California allows you to take traffic school entirely online, but only if you meet specific requirements and use a course provider the DMV has approved
California's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) does not run the traffic school courses themselves. Instead, the state approves private companies to offer online traffic school, and you choose from that list. The course must be approved by the DMV, cost no more than the state cap (which varies but is typically under $50), and be completed within a set timeframe — usually 30 days from when you enroll.
You can take the course on your own schedule from any device with internet access. Most approved providers let you pause and resume, and you do not have to finish in one sitting. Once you complete the course and pass the final exam, the provider sends a certificate of completion directly to the court that issued your traffic ticket.
The catch: you must have been cited for a minor traffic violation, not an accident or serious offense. You also need the court's permission before you enroll. Taking traffic school without permission does not erase the ticket and wastes your money.
Key Takeaways
- You must get written permission from the court that issued your ticket before enrolling in any traffic school course, online or in-person.
- Only enroll in a course provider that appears on the DMV's official list of approved online traffic school vendors.
- The course must be completed within 30 days of enrollment, and you must pass a final exam; the provider then sends your certificate directly to the court.
- Traffic school is available only for minor violations — not for accidents, DUI, reckless driving, or violations involving injury.
- The state-approved cost cap is typically under $50, though some providers charge less; never pay significantly more than this amount.
Check your ticket and court permission first
Before you search for an online course, read the back of your traffic ticket or the paperwork the officer gave you. California courts often print a checkbox or statement saying whether traffic school is an option for your violation. If the ticket says "traffic school not available," you cannot take it, and enrolling will not help.
If traffic school appears to be allowed, you still need written permission from the court. Call the court listed on your ticket and ask whether you are allowed to take traffic school for your specific violation. Some courts let you request permission by phone; others require you to mail or submit a form online. Do not assume permission — courts track who has taken traffic school, and taking it without approval can result in the ticket being reinstated with additional penalties.
Once the court approves you, you will receive a confirmation letter or case number. Keep this with you when you enroll in a course. Most online providers ask for your case number and court information during registration.
Find a DMV-approved online traffic school provider
The DMV maintains a list of approved traffic school providers on its official website. Search for "DMV approved traffic school" or visit the DMV's traffic school page directly. The list includes both in-person and online options, so filter for online-only courses.
Each approved provider has different features — some offer video-based lessons, others use interactive modules, and a few let you take the course on mobile apps. All must meet the same state requirements: the course content must cover California traffic laws, the final exam must be proctored (meaning someone verifies you are taking it), and the cost must not exceed the state cap.
Do not use a provider that does not appear on the DMV's official list. Scam sites and unapproved vendors charge high fees, do not send certificates to courts, and waste your time. Stick to the state-approved list.
Enroll, complete the course, and pass the exam
Once you have court permission and have chosen a provider, register on their website. You will need your driver's license number, the case or citation number from your ticket, and the court information. The provider will verify this information with the court before letting you start.
The course itself typically takes 4 to 6 hours to complete, though you can spread it over multiple days. You do not have to finish it all at once. Most providers let you log in and out as many times as you need within the 30-day window.
At the end of the course, you take a final exam. This exam is usually proctored, meaning you may need to verify your identity through your webcam or answer security questions to prove you are the one taking the test. You must pass the exam to receive a certificate. If you fail, most providers let you retake it at no extra cost.
The certificate goes to the court, not to you
Once you pass the exam, the provider automatically sends your certificate of completion to the court that issued your ticket. You do not need to print it or mail it yourself. The court uses this certificate to dismiss the traffic violation from your record.
The timeline varies by court and provider, but you should see the dismissal on your driving record within 2 to 4 weeks. If more than a month has passed and the ticket is still showing, contact the court directly to confirm they received the certificate.
Keep a copy of your completion certificate for your own records, even though the provider sends the original to the court. If there is ever a dispute about whether you completed the course, you will have proof.
What traffic school does and does not do
Completing traffic school removes the traffic violation from your driving record — meaning it will not show up on background checks or insurance reports. However, it does not erase the ticket from court records entirely. The court keeps a record that you were cited and that you completed traffic school, but the violation itself is dismissed.
Traffic school does not reduce your insurance rates directly. Insurance companies may not raise your rates for a violation that has been dismissed through traffic school, but they will still see that you were cited. Some insurers offer small discounts for completing traffic school, so ask your insurance company whether you may have access to.
Traffic school also does not prevent points from being added to your driving record if you do not complete it or if you were not permitted to take it. If you fail to finish the course within 30 days, the original ticket stands, and the violation remains on your record.
Violations that do not may have access to for traffic school
California does not allow traffic school for serious violations. You cannot take traffic school if you were cited for DUI or driving under the influence, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, hit-and-run, or any violation involving an accident or injury.
You also cannot take traffic school more than once every 18 months. If you completed traffic school within the past 18 months, you are not allowed to take it again, even if you receive a new ticket.
If your violation does not may have access to, you must handle the ticket through the court — either by paying the fine, contesting it, or requesting a trial. Traffic school is not an option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take traffic school if I got a ticket out of state?
No. California traffic school is only for violations cited in California. If you were ticketed in another state, you must handle it through that state's court system. Some states have their own online traffic school programs, but California's approved providers cannot help you.
What happens if I do not finish the course within 30 days?
The course enrollment expires, and you lose access. The original ticket remains on your record, and you will owe the fine. You can enroll again if the court permits, but you will have to pay the course fee a second time and start over.
Do I have to use a webcam for the proctored exam?
Most approved providers require some form of identity verification during the exam — usually a webcam check or security questions. A few providers offer alternative proctoring methods. Check the provider's requirements before you enroll to make sure you have the equipment or setup they need.
Will traffic school show up on my driving record?
The violation itself is dismissed and will not appear on your record. However, the court keeps a record that you were cited and completed traffic school. Insurance companies and employers may see that you were ticketed, but the violation is removed from your driving record.
Can I take traffic school on my phone?
Some approved providers offer mobile apps or mobile-friendly websites, but not all do. Check the provider's website before enrolling to see whether they support phones or tablets. Even if they do, the proctored exam may require a larger screen or webcam, so plan to use a computer for that part.