What the E0138 code means and why it matters
The E0138 code is a California Department of Motor Vehicles approval designation that marks a traffic school as meeting state requirements for traffic violator school programs. When you see "DMV approved" with this code, it means the school has passed a background check, maintains proper insurance, uses an approved curriculum, and reports completion to the DMV on your behalf. The code itself is straightforward the identifier the DMV uses to track which schools meet these standards.
This matters because California law requires that any traffic school you attend must be DMV-approved. If you take a course from a school without this approval, the DMV will not accept the completion certificate, your traffic violation will remain on your record, and you will still face the original fine and insurance consequences. The E0138 code is how you verify a school has actually passed that approval process.
Not every online traffic school displays this code prominently, and some schools that claim to be "approved" may be approved in one state but not California. The E0138 code is specific to California and is the only verification that matters if you are dealing with a California traffic ticket.
Key Takeaways
- E0138 is the California DMV's approval code for traffic schools; any school you choose must display this code or your completion certificate will not be accepted.
- DMV approval means the school has passed a background check, maintains liability insurance, uses state-approved course material, and reports your completion directly to the DMV.
- You can verify a school's approval status by searching the DMV's official list of approved traffic schools on the California DMV website.
- Taking a course from a non-approved school will not clear your violation, even if the school claims to be "approved" in another state or by another body.
- The approval code does not may provide the school is the cheapest or fastest option — it only confirms the school meets legal requirements.
How the DMV approval process works
Before a traffic school can use the E0138 code, it must submit to a formal review by the California DMV. The school must provide proof of a valid business license, proof of liability insurance (usually a minimum of $1 million), and a copy of its course curriculum for the DMV to review. The curriculum must cover specific topics: the effects of drugs and alcohol on driving, the dangers of aggressive driving, and the importance of following traffic laws.
The DMV also conducts a background check on the school's owners and operators. Schools with histories of fraud, misrepresentation, or failure to report completions to the DMV are denied approval. Once approved, the school receives its approval number and is added to the DMV's public list of approved providers.
This approval is not permanent. The DMV can revoke approval if a school stops maintaining insurance, fails to report student completions, or receives complaints about misrepresentation. Schools must renew their approval periodically, and the DMV conducts spot checks to may support schools are still following the rules.
How to verify a school's E0138 approval status
The most reliable way to confirm a school's approval is to visit the California DMV's official website and search their list of approved traffic schools. This list is updated regularly and shows the approval number for each school. You can search by school name, location, or approval number. If a school does not appear on this list, it is not approved by the DMV, regardless of what the school's website claims.
When you visit a traffic school's website, look for the approval number displayed clearly — usually near the top of the page or in a "DMV Approved" badge. The number should match what appears on the DMV's official list. Some schools display the number as "DMV Approval #E0138-XXXXX" where the X's are replaced by the school's specific number.
If you cannot find the approval number on the school's website, contact the school directly and ask for it. A legitimate approved school will provide this information when ready. If the school is evasive, claims the number is "on file," or says you do not need to verify it, that is a red flag.
What DMV approval does and does not cover
DMV approval confirms that the school meets legal requirements and will report your completion to the DMV. It does not mean the school is the cheapest, fastest, or easiest option. Approved schools vary widely in price, course length, and user experience. Some charge $20 and take two hours; others charge $50 and take four hours. All are equally valid in the eyes of the DMV.
Approval also does not mean the school will may provide your violation will be dismissed. Traffic school removes the violation from your driving record only if you were not at fault for the accident and the violation was a minor infraction (not a misdemeanor or felony). The school cannot change these facts. If you were at fault or the violation is too serious, traffic school will not help, and no approved school can change that.
DMV approval does not cover customer service quality, course content beyond the legal minimum, or how quickly the school processes your certificate. These vary by school. You may want to read reviews or compare schools, but remember that approval status is separate from those factors.
Why some schools claim approval but lack the E0138 code
Some online traffic schools claim to be "approved" but do not display an E0138 code because they are approved in other states, not California. A school approved in Nevada or Arizona is not approved in California and cannot legally serve California traffic tickets. The DMV does not recognize approvals from other states.
Other schools may be in the process of explore for approval or may have had approval revoked. A school might display old marketing materials claiming approval even after the DMV has removed them from the approved list. This is why checking the DMV's current list yourself is essential — do not rely on what the school's website says.
A small number of schools deliberately misrepresent their status, knowing that many people do not verify. These schools collect payment, provide a certificate, and the student later discovers the DMV will not accept it. By that point, the student has already paid and may have difficulty getting a refund. Verification takes five minutes and prevents this problem entirely.
What happens if you complete a non-approved school's course
If you submit a completion certificate from a non-approved school to the DMV, the DMV will reject it. Your traffic violation will remain on your driving record. You will still owe the original fine, and your insurance rates will still increase. You will have wasted the money you paid to the non-approved school and will need to take a course from an approved school to clear the violation.
In some cases, you may also miss the important date to complete traffic school. If your court order requires you to finish within 30 days and you spend two weeks on a non-approved course before discovering the problem, you may not have time to complete an approved course before the important date. Missing the important date can result in additional fines or a license suspension.
If you suspect you have already completed a non-approved course, contact the DMV when ready to confirm whether your certificate was accepted. If it was not, ask the court for an extension to complete an approved course. Courts sometimes grant extensions in these situations, but you must ask quickly.
How online schools report completion to the DMV
When you complete an approved online traffic school course, the school submits your completion information to the DMV electronically. This report includes your name, driver's license number, the violation you were cited for, and the date you completed the course. The DMV uses this information to update your driving record.
This process typically takes three to five business days, though some schools report faster. You do not need to submit anything to the DMV yourself — the school handles it. You will receive a completion certificate from the school for your records, but the DMV's notification comes directly from the school.
If you do not see the violation removed from your driving record after two weeks, contact the school to confirm they submitted your completion. If they did, contact the DMV to verify they received it. Delays are rare with approved schools, but they do happen occasionally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take traffic school online if I live outside California?
No. California traffic school is only for California traffic violations. If you received a ticket in California but live in another state, you can still take an online California traffic school course, but the school must be DMV-approved (E0138 code). If you received a ticket in another state, you must take that state's traffic school, which will have different approval codes and requirements.
What if the school I want to take says it is approved but is not on the DMV list?
Do not take the course. Contact the DMV directly to confirm the school's status before paying. If the school is not on the official DMV list, it is not approved, and the DMV will not accept your certificate. It is not worth the risk.
Does the E0138 code may provide the course will be accepted by my insurance company?
No. DMV approval means the course is legal and will clear your violation from your driving record. Whether your insurance company offers a discount for completing traffic school is a separate question and depends on your policy. Contact your insurance company to ask whether they offer a discount and what they require as proof.
How long does it take for the DMV to process my completion after the school reports it?
The DMV typically updates your driving record within three to five business days of receiving the school's report. You can check your record online through the DMV website or by calling the DMV. If more than two weeks have passed and the violation is still showing, contact the school to confirm they submitted your completion.
Can I get my money back if I take a course from a non-approved school by mistake?
That depends on the school's refund policy. Some schools will refund your payment if you discover they are not approved, but others will not. Before paying, always verify the school's approval status on the DMV's official list. This prevents the problem entirely.