California's DMV approves online traffic schools, but only specific ones
Not every online traffic school website is approved by California's Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV maintains a list of licensed traffic school providers, and you can only use one from that list if you want the course to count toward traffic school dismissal. Taking a course from an unapproved provider means the DMV will not accept it, and you will still owe the traffic fine and court fees.
The DMV does not run the traffic schools themselves — private companies do. Your job is to find an approved provider, enroll in their course, complete it, and have them send proof of completion to the court that issued your citation. The court then dismisses the traffic violation from your record.
California law allows you to take traffic school online instead of in person, but only if the court permits it and only through a DMV-approved school. Most courts do allow online traffic school, but some require you to ask permission first.
Key Takeaways
- The DMV publishes a searchable list of approved traffic school providers on its website; you must use one from that list or the course will not count.
- Before enrolling anywhere, check with the court that issued your ticket to confirm online traffic school is permitted for your violation.
- Approved online schools charge between $20 and $50 for the course itself, though you still pay the original traffic fine and court fees separately.
- After you complete the course, the traffic school sends proof of completion directly to the court; you do not submit it yourself.
- The entire process typically takes one to three weeks from enrollment to court dismissal, depending on how quickly you finish the course.
How to find an approved traffic school on the DMV website
Go to the California DMV website and search for "approved traffic school providers" or navigate to the traffic safety section. The DMV publishes a current list of licensed schools organized by county. You can search by your county or browse the full list.
Each approved provider on the list has a website link. Click through to the school's site and look for their online course option. Most approved schools offer both online and in-person classes, so make sure you are selecting the online version. The school's website will show you the course fee, how long it takes to complete, and what you need to bring to enrollment.
Write down the name of the school you choose and the course fee. You will need this information when you contact the court.
Confirm with the court before you enroll
Call or visit the traffic court that issued your citation. Give them your case number or ticket number and ask whether online traffic school is permitted for your violation. Some traffic violations — usually serious ones like reckless driving — cannot be dismissed through traffic school, and the court will tell you when ready if yours is one of them.
If online traffic school is permitted, ask the court whether you need written permission before you enroll, or whether you can enroll and notify them afterward. Some courts require pre-approval; others do not. The court clerk can tell you exactly what your court requires.
If the court requires pre-approval, ask them to note in your file that you have been authorized to take online traffic school. This prevents confusion later when the traffic school sends proof of completion.
Enroll in the online course and complete it
Go to the approved traffic school's website and create an account. You will need your driver's license number, the citation number from your ticket, and the date of the violation. The school will ask you to confirm that you are taking the course to dismiss this specific ticket.
Most online traffic schools allow you to start and stop the course as many times as you need. You can log in, watch videos or read material, take breaks, and return later. Some courses take two to four hours to complete; others are longer. The school's website will show you the estimated time before you enroll.
At the end of the course, you will take a final exam. You usually need to pass with a score of 70 percent or higher. If you do not pass on your first attempt, most approved schools let you retake the exam at no extra charge.
The traffic school sends proof to the court
Once you pass the final exam, the traffic school generates a certificate of completion. You do not print it or mail it yourself. Instead, the traffic school submits proof electronically or by mail directly to the court that issued your ticket. This usually happens within one to five business days of course completion.
The court receives the proof, verifies that you completed an approved traffic school course, and dismisses the traffic violation. The dismissal is recorded on your driving record. You will receive a notice from the court confirming the dismissal, usually by mail.
Do not assume the process is complete just because you finished the course. Wait for written confirmation from the court before you consider the ticket dismissed.
What to know about cost and timing
The traffic school course itself costs between $20 and $50, depending on which approved provider you choose. This is separate from the original traffic fine and court fees, which you still owe. Some courts allow you to pay the fine and fees after the traffic school dismisses the violation; others require payment upfront. Ask the court when you call to confirm online traffic school is permitted.
The entire process — from enrollment to court dismissal — usually takes one to three weeks. If you complete the course quickly, the traffic school can send proof to the court within days. The court then processes the dismissal, which may take another week or two depending on court workload.
If you wait until close to a court important date to enroll, you risk not finishing in time. Check your ticket or court paperwork for any important date, and enroll at least three weeks before that date if possible.
What happens if you do not complete the course
If you enroll in traffic school but do not finish the course by a important date set by the court, the traffic violation will not be dismissed. You will owe the original fine and court fees, and the violation will remain on your driving record. Some courts set a important date of 30 days from the date you are authorized to take traffic school; others allow longer.
If you realize you cannot finish in time, contact the court when ready and ask whether you can request an extension. Some courts grant extensions; others do not. It is better to ask than to miss the important date and lose the chance to dismiss the ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take traffic school online if I got a ticket in a different county than where I live?
Yes. You take the course through an approved provider in California, and the proof goes to the court in the county where you received the ticket. The court location and your home location do not have to match. When you enroll, you will enter the case number and court information from your ticket.
What if I cannot find my ticket number or case number?
Call the traffic court that issued the ticket and provide your driver's license number and the date you received the citation. The court clerk can give you the ticket number and case number. You will need this information to enroll in traffic school.
Do I have to tell my insurance company I took traffic school?
No. Once the court dismisses the violation, it does not appear on your driving record as a conviction. Your insurance company will not see it. However, if you do not complete traffic school and the violation stays on your record, your insurance rates may increase.
Can I take traffic school more than once in California?
California law allows you to dismiss one traffic violation through traffic school once every 18 months. If you receive another ticket before 18 months have passed, you cannot use traffic school to dismiss it. After 18 months from your last traffic school completion, you become may be able to access again.
What if the traffic school website says I am not may be able to access?
Some violations — like driving with a suspended license or reckless driving — cannot be dismissed through traffic school under California law. If the traffic school's enrollment system rejects you, call the court and ask whether your violation is may be able to access. If it is not, traffic school is not an option, and you will need to handle the ticket through other means.