How do I know if I’m eligible for traffic school?

You may qualify if you:

Have a valid non-commercial driver’s license.

• Received a ticket for an infraction.
• Weren’t under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Haven’t attended traffic school in the last 18 months.
• Plead guilty to the violation.

Some things that disqualify you from traffic school in California include:

• You were driving a commercial vehicle.
• Your ticket was for a serious offense, such as a misdemeanor, reckless driving, or hit-and-run
• Your ticket was for a non-moving violation.
• You’ve attended traffic school in the last 18 months.
• You were driving 25+ mph over the posted speed limit.
• You failed to pay your citation and the traffic school administrative fee before the deadline.

Learn more about traffic school eligibility in California.

How to request traffic school in Imperial County?

If you received a traffic citation in Imperial County and are eligible for traffic school, you can request it through the following methods:

Online:

• Visit the Imperial County Superior Court Traffic Division.
• Use the online traffic payment portal.
• Enter your citation or case number in the traffic portal.
• If eligible, you’ll see an option to request traffic school during the payment process.
• You must pay:
  • The total bail amount (your fine)
  • A non-refundable administrative fee of $57.
• Once approved, you’ll have 60 days to complete a DMV-licensed traffic school course.

By Mail:

• Send a written request that includes:
  • Your full name.
  • Citation number or case number.
• A check or money order for the total bail amount plus the $57 traffic school fee.
• Make the payment payable to “Superior Court of California, County of Imperial” and include your citation number on the check.
• Mail to the address listed on your courtesy notice or citation.
• Allow up to 3 weeks for processing.

In Person:

• Visit the traffic court location listed on your citation (usually 939 W Main St, El Centro, CA 92243).
• Bring your citation, photo ID, and payment (fine + $57 fee).
  Request to attend traffic school at the counter. If eligible, you’ll be granted 60 days to complete the course.

How long do I have to take traffic school after a ticket?

In Imperial County, once you’re approved for traffic school (typically after paying your fine and school fee), you generally have 60 days to complete the course. This deadline is set by the court starting from the date you’re granted the traffic‑school option.

Does traffic school remove points?

​In California, traffic school allows you to prevent a point from being added to your record for an eligible traffic violation. When you complete traffic school, the conviction is reported as a confidential conviction on your driving record, meaning the point is masked and not visible to insurance companies or employers. This prevents the point from affecting your insurance rates.

How often can you do traffic school in California?

You are eligible to attend traffic school once every 18 months to mask a qualifying traffic violation from your public driving record. This 18-month period is calculated from the date of the first violation to the date of the second violation, not from the date you completed traffic school.