What California's online traffic school does and who can use it

California's online traffic school (OLL) is a court-ordered program you can complete from home to dismiss a traffic ticket or reduce the impact on your driving record. You do not attend a classroom — you watch videos, read materials, and take a test on your computer or phone. The program is run by the California Department of Motor Vehicles and administered through approved vendors.

You can use online traffic school only if the court that issued your ticket says you can. Not every ticket qualifies. Typically, you can attend for minor infractions like speeding under 100 mph, running a red light, or unsafe lane changes. You cannot use it for reckless driving, driving under the influence, or accidents involving injury. The court decides whether your ticket is may be able to access, not the traffic school.

You must also meet basic requirements: you need a valid California driver's license, you cannot have attended traffic school in the past 18 months, and you must complete the course before your court date. If you miss the important date, the ticket stands and you lose the chance to dismiss it through this route.

Key Takeaways

  • Online traffic school is only available if your court approves it for your specific ticket — check your citation or call the court listed on it to confirm.
  • You must complete the entire course and pass the final test before your court date, or the ticket will not be dismissed.
  • The course typically takes four to eight hours to finish, though you can spread it across multiple days.
  • You cannot attend online traffic school more than once every 18 months, even if you receive another may be able to access ticket.
  • After you finish, the school sends proof of completion to the court, and the court decides whether to dismiss the ticket or reduce the fine.

How to find an approved traffic school vendor and enroll

The DMV does not run the courses directly — it approves vendors who offer them. You choose which vendor to use, and each one charges a fee (typically between $20 and $50, though prices vary). The vendor you pick handles your enrollment, course materials, and proof of completion.

To find an approved vendor, visit the DMV's online traffic school directory at dmvonline.ca.gov. Search by the county where your ticket was issued. Each vendor listed has been approved by the DMV and meets state standards. Read the vendor's website to understand their course format, cost, and how long completion takes.

When you enroll with a vendor, you will need your citation number (from your ticket), your driver's license number, and the court information. The vendor will verify that your ticket is may be able to access for online traffic school. If the court has not approved it, the vendor will tell you — do not pay the fee and then discover you cannot use it.

What the course covers and how long it takes

California's online traffic school curriculum focuses on safe driving practices, traffic laws, and how to avoid collisions. The content is standardized across all approved vendors, so the material is the same regardless of which school you choose. Topics typically include speed management, following distance, right-of-way rules, and defensive driving techniques.

Most courses take four to eight hours to complete, depending on how fast you work through the material. You can log in and out as many times as you need — there is no requirement to finish in one sitting. Some vendors let you pause mid-section and resume later; others require you to complete a section before logging out. Check the vendor's rules before you start.

At the end of the course, you take a final test. You typically need to score at least 70 or 80 percent to pass (the threshold varies by vendor). If you do not pass on your first attempt, most vendors let you retake the test, though some charge a small fee for retakes.

How proof of completion reaches the court

Once you pass the final test, the vendor sends an electronic certificate of completion directly to the court listed on your ticket. You do not mail it yourself or hand-deliver it. The vendor handles this step as part of the service.

The court then reviews the certificate and decides whether to dismiss the ticket or reduce the fine. Dismissal is not automatic — the court has discretion. In most cases, if you completed the course before your court date and the ticket was may be able to access, the court will dismiss it. However, some courts reduce the fine instead of dismissing it outright.

After the court processes your case, you will receive notice by mail. Keep the vendor's certificate for your records. If you do not hear from the court within a few weeks, contact the court directly using the phone number on your ticket to confirm the status.

Timing: when to enroll and when you must finish

Enroll as soon as you decide to take the course. The sooner you start, the sooner you finish and the sooner the court receives proof. You have until your court date to complete the course — that is your hard important date. If you finish after your court date, the court will not dismiss the ticket.

Check your citation for the court date. If you are unsure, call the court or look up your case online through the court's website. Once you know the date, work backward: if the course takes six hours and you have two weeks, you have plenty of time. If you have three days, enroll when ready and plan to finish quickly.

Some vendors offer expedited completion — you can finish in a single day if you work through the material without breaks. Others spread the course across multiple sessions. Choose based on how much time you have before your court date.

Cost and what happens if you do not complete the course

Vendors charge a fee to enroll, typically between $20 and $50. This is separate from any fine the court imposed on your ticket. You pay the vendor for the course; you may still owe the court a fine if the ticket is not dismissed. Some courts reduce the fine amount if you complete traffic school, but that is the court's decision, not the vendor's.

If you do not complete the course before your court date, you lose the chance to dismiss the ticket through this route. The ticket remains on your record, the fine is due, and points may be added to your driving record. You cannot get a refund from the vendor for an incomplete course, though some vendors offer a grace period if you are close to the important date.

If you cannot finish before your court date, contact the court when ready. Some courts will grant a brief extension if you have a legitimate reason. Do not wait until after the important date to ask — courts are more likely to help if you reach out in advance.

What online traffic school does and does not do to your record

Completing online traffic school does not erase the ticket from your record — it gives the court a reason to dismiss it. If the court dismisses the ticket, no points are added to your driving record and the conviction does not appear on your record. Your insurance company will not see the ticket.

If the court reduces the fine instead of dismissing the ticket, points may still be added to your record depending on the violation. A point stays on your record for three years. If you accumulate too many points in a short time, the DMV can suspend your license. Completing traffic school does not prevent that — only dismissal of the ticket does.

Online traffic school also does not lower your insurance rates. Insurance companies base rates on your driving record, not on whether you took a safety course. If the ticket is dismissed, your rates should not increase because there is no conviction to report. If the ticket is not dismissed, your rates may go up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I attend online traffic school if the court did not mention it on my ticket?

You should contact the court directly to ask whether your ticket is may be able to access. The court decides, not the traffic school vendor. Call the phone number on your citation or visit the court's website to check your case status. If the court says yes, you can enroll with any approved vendor.

What if I fail the final test?

Most vendors let you retake the test at no extra charge or for a small fee. You have until your court date to pass. If you are struggling with the material, some vendors offer study guides or let you review sections before retaking the test. Contact your vendor's support team for help.

Do I have to use the vendor listed on the DMV website?

No. The DMV approves multiple vendors in each county. You can choose any approved vendor. Compare their fees, course format, and how quickly you can finish. All approved vendors use the same state-mandated curriculum, so the content is identical.

What if I move out of state before I finish the course?

You can still complete the course online from anywhere. The vendor will send proof of completion to the California court. However, if you move before your court date and do not complete the course, the ticket remains active in California and may affect your ability to renew your California license or get a license in another state.

Can I attend online traffic school for a ticket I received years ago?

No. You must complete the course before your court date, which is typically 30 to 90 days after you receive the ticket. Once the court date passes, you cannot dismiss the ticket through traffic school. If you missed your important date, contact the court to discuss other options.