How 5-Dollar Traffic School Works
5-Dollar Traffic School is an online defensive driving course that costs $5 and is designed to help you dismiss a traffic ticket or reduce points on your driving record. You complete the course at your own pace on a computer or mobile device, and upon finishing, you receive a certificate of completion that you submit to the court handling your ticket.
The course itself typically takes between four and six hours to complete, though you can spread it across multiple days. You watch video lessons, read material about safe driving practices, and answer questions to show you understood the content. The $5 price covers the entire course and the certificate — there are no hidden fees added at checkout.
The certificate you receive is what the court needs to dismiss your ticket or reduce the points. You print it out or have it sent electronically to the court, depending on your local court's preference. The court then processes your request based on their rules about which violations can be dismissed through traffic school.
Key Takeaways
- 5-Dollar Traffic School is an online course costing $5 that you complete on your own schedule to potentially dismiss a ticket or reduce driving record points.
- Not all traffic violations are may be able to access for dismissal through traffic school — your court decides based on the type of violation and your driving history.
- You must check with your specific court before enrolling to confirm they accept 5-Dollar Traffic School certificates and what their rules are for your ticket type.
- The course takes four to six hours total and results in a certificate you submit to the court to request dismissal or point reduction.
- Some states and courts do not allow traffic school for certain violations like reckless driving, DUI, or speeding more than 15 miles per hour over the limit.
Which Traffic Violations Can Be Dismissed Through Traffic School
Traffic school works for minor moving violations — things like speeding under a certain threshold, running a red light, improper lane change, or failure to stop completely at a stop sign. The specific violations your court allows to be dismissed through traffic school vary by state and sometimes by county.
Violations that typically cannot be dismissed through traffic school include reckless driving, driving under the influence (DUI or DWI), driving with a suspended or revoked license, hit-and-run, and speeding more than a certain amount over the limit (often 15 miles per hour). If your ticket is for one of these serious violations, traffic school will not help you dismiss it.
Your driving history also matters. If you have taken traffic school within the past 12 or 18 months (the timeframe varies by state), you may not be allowed to use it again. Some courts also limit traffic school to drivers under a certain age or to first-time offenders.
How to learn about Your Court Accepts 5-Dollar Traffic School
Before you pay the $5 and enroll, contact the court listed on your ticket directly. Call the traffic division or visit their website — most courts now have online portals where you can look up your case. Ask them three things: whether traffic school is an option for your specific violation, whether they accept certificates from 5-Dollar Traffic School specifically, and what their important date is for submitting the certificate.
Some courts have a list of approved traffic school providers on their website. If 5-Dollar Traffic School is listed, you are good to go. If it is not listed, call and ask whether they accept it anyway — courts sometimes accept providers that are not on their main list. Do not assume a provider is not accepted just because it is not advertised.
The court's important date for submitting your certificate is usually printed on your ticket or court paperwork. This important date is separate from your ticket due date. You need to complete the course and submit the certificate before that important date, or you lose the chance to dismiss the ticket through traffic school.
The Steps to Complete 5-Dollar Traffic School
Once you have confirmed your court accepts the course, go to the 5-Dollar Traffic School website and create an account. You will need to provide your name, email, and payment information. After you pay the $5, you will receive login credentials and can start the course when ready.
Log in and begin watching the video lessons. The course covers topics like defensive driving, road hazard recognition, and traffic laws. You can pause and resume at any time — there is no time limit to finish, though your court has a important date for when you must submit the certificate. Take notes if it helps you remember the material for the questions.
After each section, you will answer questions about what you learned. You usually need to score at least 70 or 80 percent to pass — the exact requirement depends on your state. If you do not pass on your first try, you can retake the questions. Once you pass all sections, the course generates your certificate of completion.
read or request the certificate be sent to you. Check that it has your name, ticket number (if required by your court), the course completion date, and the provider name. Then submit it to the court before their important date — either by mail, in person, or through their online portal if they have one.
What Happens After You Submit Your Certificate
After the court receives your certificate, they review it to make sure it is from an approved provider and that you completed it before the important date. If everything is in order, they dismiss your ticket or reduce the points on your driving record, depending on what your court offers.
You will usually receive written notice from the court confirming the dismissal or point reduction. This can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on how busy the court is. Keep a copy of the court's notice for your records — you may need it if an insurance company questions your driving record later.
If the court rejects your certificate for any reason — for example, if it arrived after the important date or if they do not accept that provider — they will send you a notice explaining why. At that point, you would need to pay the ticket fine or explore other options with the court.
Cost and What Is Included
The course itself costs $5, and that is the only fee charged by 5-Dollar Traffic School. You do not pay extra for the certificate, for customer service, or for submitting your completion to the court. The $5 covers everything from enrollment through certificate generation.
What you do need to pay separately is any court fee if your court charges one to process the traffic school dismissal. Some courts charge $10 to $50 to review and process your request, though many do not charge anything. Ask the court when you call to confirm whether they accept the course — they will tell you if there is a processing fee.
You also need internet access and a device to take the course on. The course works on computers, tablets, and smartphones, so you can use whatever you have available.
Alternatives If Your Court Does Not Accept 5-Dollar Traffic School
If your court does not accept 5-Dollar Traffic School or if your violation is not may be able to access for dismissal through traffic school, you have other options. You can pay the ticket fine, contest the ticket in court, or look for a different traffic school provider that your court does accept.
Some courts accept traffic school from other online providers, and some require in-person classes. Call your court and ask which providers they accept. You may find another low-cost option, or you may need to pay more for a provider your court recognizes.
If you want to contest the ticket, you can request a court date and argue your case in front of a judge. This requires more time and preparation than traffic school, but it is an option if you believe the ticket was issued in error.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take 5-Dollar Traffic School if I already took traffic school recently?
Most states have a rule that you can only take traffic school once every 12 to 18 months. If you took any traffic school course within that timeframe, your court will not allow you to take it again for this ticket. Call your court to check your driving record and find out when you last took traffic school.
What if I fail the course questions?
You can retake the questions as many times as you need to pass. There is no limit on attempts, and retaking does not cost extra. Keep reviewing the material until you understand it well enough to pass the required score, usually 70 or 80 percent.
How long does it take for the court to process my certificate?
Processing time varies by court but typically takes one to three weeks. Some courts are faster, especially if you submit electronically. Call the court after two weeks if you have not heard anything, or check their online case portal to see if the status has updated.
Can I take the course on my phone?
Yes, 5-Dollar Traffic School works on smartphones, tablets, and computers. You can start on one device and finish on another — your progress is saved to your account. Just make sure you have a stable internet connection while taking the course.
What if I submit my certificate late?
If you miss the court's important date, the court will not accept your certificate and you lose the chance to dismiss the ticket through traffic school. You would then need to pay the fine or contest the ticket in court. Always submit your certificate with time to spare before the important date.