What 2 Cool Traffic School Is

2 Cool Traffic School is an online traffic school course offered in California that lets you dismiss a traffic ticket by completing an approved defensive driving course. Instead of paying the full fine or having the violation stay on your driving record, you take the course, pass a test, and the traffic school sends proof of completion to the court. The ticket is then dismissed — though you still pay the course fee, which is typically between $20 and $30.

The course is designed for people who received a minor traffic violation (usually a moving violation like speeding or running a red light) and want to keep it off their record. It does not work for serious violations like reckless driving, DUI, or accidents. You also cannot use traffic school more than once every 18 months in California.

Key Takeaways

  • 2 Cool Traffic School is an online course you complete to dismiss a traffic ticket in California, and the course fee is typically $20 to $30.
  • You must get the court's permission before enrolling, and you have a limited time (usually 30 days from the ticket date) to request this permission.
  • The course takes about three to four hours to complete and includes a final test you must pass to receive your certificate of completion.
  • Once you pass, 2 Cool Traffic School sends your certificate directly to the court, and the court dismisses the ticket if everything is in order.
  • You can only use traffic school once every 18 months in California, and it does not work for serious violations or if you were driving in a school zone.

Whether You Can Use Traffic School for Your Ticket

Not every traffic ticket is may be able to access for dismissal through traffic school. California law limits which violations may have access to. Moving violations like speeding, running a stop sign, improper lane change, and rolling through a red light are usually may be able to access. However, violations in a school zone, reckless driving, DUI, accidents, and parking tickets do not may have access to.

Your ticket itself will often state whether traffic school is an option. If you are unsure, call the court listed on your ticket and ask whether the specific violation is may be able to access. The court can tell you in one call whether traffic school is available for your case. You also cannot use traffic school if you have already used it within the past 18 months in California.

Getting Permission from the Court Before You Enroll

You cannot straightforward enroll in 2 Cool Traffic School on your own. You must first request permission from the court that issued your ticket. This step is required by California law and must happen before you pay for the course or start any lessons.

Contact the court by phone or visit in person. Tell them you want to take traffic school to dismiss your ticket. The court will tell you whether you are allowed to do so and will give you a important date — usually 30 days from the ticket date. Once the court approves you, you can then enroll in 2 Cool Traffic School. Keep the court's approval in writing if possible, as you may need to reference it later.

How to Enroll and Complete the Course

After the court approves you, go to the 2 Cool Traffic School website and create an account. You will need your ticket number and personal information. The course fee is typically $20 to $30, though this can vary. You pay online at enrollment.

The course itself takes about three to four hours to complete. You can log in and out as many times as you need — you do not have to finish it all at once. The material covers defensive driving techniques, California traffic laws, and road safety. At the end, you take a final test. You must score at least 70 percent to pass. If you do not pass on your first try, you can retake the test.

Once you pass the test, 2 Cool Traffic School generates a certificate of completion. This certificate is sent automatically to the court listed on your ticket. You do not need to print it or mail it yourself.

What Happens After You Complete the Course

After 2 Cool Traffic School sends your certificate to the court, the court reviews it. If everything is correct — your name, ticket number, and course completion date — the court dismisses the ticket. This usually takes one to two weeks, though it can take longer depending on the court's workload.

Once dismissed, the ticket is removed from your driving record. Your insurance company will not see it, and it will not affect your rates. You will receive a notice from the court confirming the dismissal. Keep this notice for your records.

If there is a problem — for example, if your name on the certificate does not match the ticket exactly — the court will contact you. This is rare, but if it happens, contact 2 Cool Traffic School customer service right away to fix it.

Limits on How Often You Can Use Traffic School

California law allows you to use traffic school only once every 18 months. This means if you completed a traffic school course in January, you cannot use traffic school again until July of the following year. The 18-month clock starts from the date you completed your previous course, not from when you took the ticket.

If you receive a second ticket within 18 months, you will not be able to dismiss it through traffic school. You will have to pay the fine or contest the ticket in court. This rule applies statewide — it does not matter which traffic school you used or which court issued the ticket.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I miss the court's important date to request traffic school?

Once the important date passes, you usually cannot request traffic school for that ticket. Contact the court when ready to ask if there is any way to extend the important date or if you have other options. Some courts may make exceptions, but this is not may provide. It is best to request traffic school as soon as you receive your ticket.

Can I use traffic school if I was speeding in a school zone?

No. Violations in school zones are not may be able to access for traffic school dismissal in California, even if the violation would normally may have access to. This includes speeding, running a stop sign, or other moving violations that occur in a school zone during school hours.

Do I have to finish the course by a certain date?

Yes. The court sets a important date for you to complete traffic school, usually 30 to 60 days from the date you request it. You must finish the course and have your certificate sent to the court before this important date. If you do not complete it in time, the ticket will not be dismissed and you will owe the full fine.

What if I fail the final test?

You can retake the test as many times as you need. There is no extra fee for retakes. However, you must pass and have your certificate sent to the court before your important date. If you run out of time, contact 2 Cool Traffic School customer service to see if they can request an extension from the court.

Will traffic school show up on my driving record at all?

No. Once the ticket is dismissed, it does not appear on your driving record. Insurance companies will not see it. The only record that you took traffic school is the certificate you received, which you can keep for your personal records.