In California, traffic school is available to drivers charged with minor offenses like running a red light or tailgating.
But is traffic school worth it? And when should you go? We’ll explain how it works and why you should consider it.
5 Key Benefits of Traffic School
Under the California DMV point system, each moving violation carries one or two demerit points. Failure to obey traffic signals, improper lane use, texting and driving, and other infractions will add one point to your record. More serious offenses, such as DUIs or hit-and-runs, can result in two points.
These points add up over time, affecting your driving record, insurance premiums, and career prospects. Traffic safety courses can mask one point and minimize the impact of your ticket — but only if you’re eligible (more on that later).
Without further ado, let’s break down the key benefits of traffic school.
Traffic school can help you keep a clean driving record, prevent insurance increases, and more!
1. Keep Points Off Your Driving Record
Without traffic school, demerit points for minor traffic offenses will remain on your record for three years. But attending traffic school allows you to remove one point from your license, so it will no longer be visible to insurance providers, potential employers, or other third parties. Drivers can take traffic school courses for one-point violations like getting a cell phone ticket, speeding on a bridge, or getting a red light camera ticket.
2. Save on Car Insurance
You can go to traffic school so that your insurance carrier doesn’t find out about your traffic ticket and raise your premiums.
Just one speeding ticket can raise your auto insurance rates by 20-30% for three consecutive years. On top of that, you may lose your California Good Driver discount, which will further increase your premiums.
Going to traffic school could save you hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars in the long run.
3. Avoid License Suspension
Traffic school helps you keep points off your DMV record, preventing your license from being suspended. One thing to be aware of is that you can take the course no more than once every 18 months.
The California DMV will suspend your driver’s license if you accrue:
- 4 points in 12 months
- 6 points in 24 months
- 8 points in 36 months
Even minor traffic offenses can result in demerit points and bring you closer to license suspension. Traffic school can help protect your license from this risk.
4. Safeguard Your Career
Traffic school doesn’t directly improve your chances of employment, but it can keep traffic violations off your record. As a result, it can make it easier to find work.
Most employers will review your driving record as part of a background check. Demerit points can hurt your chances of getting hired, especially for jobs that involve driving.
5. Become a Better Driver
Traffic school courses cover current traffic laws, road signs and their meanings, defensive driving strategies, right-of-way rules, and more. They also deal with topics like distracted driving, road rage, alcohol use, and other common issues.
Even if you have experience behind the wheel, you can still benefit from a refresher. Plus, you’ll learn driving techniques you may have overlooked, forgotten, or never learned in the first place.
Why You Should Attend Traffic School
Thinking about attending traffic school? It’s easier than you think. Here’s why you should sign up:
It’s Cheap
The cost of traffic school is much lower than the potential increase in your insurance rates after a ticket. For example, our flat fee of only $27.99 covers everything you need to take and pass the course, plus perks like unlimited retakes and audio read-alongs in Spanish, English, and Chinese.
If you pay your fine and skip traffic school, your annual premiums could go up by $1,000+ following a speeding ticket. Most traffic safety courses cost less than 5% of that amount.
It’s Easy
At Best Online Traffic School, 99.9% of our students pass the 25-question final exam on their first try. If you fail, you can retake the test as many times as needed without paying extra.
DMV-approved traffic school courses consist of several lessons followed by quizzes and an open-book final exam. The learning materials are broken into bite-sized pieces and include visual aids, practice tests, and interactive content. That makes them easy and fun to get through.
It’s Fast
Online traffic school can be completed in as little as two or three hours. Plus, you can study at your convenience.
Our course is 100% online, and many students finish in one sitting. However, you may take breaks as needed and resume from where you left off.
You Can Study Online
Online traffic school is legit. It’s just like studying in a classroom as long as you choose a DMV-approved traffic school. Access this page on the California DMV website to look up the school you’re interested in.
If you sign up for our course, you can study from any device, including your smartphone.
How Traffic School Works
There’s a lot of confusion about traffic school, from who qualifies to how long you have to finish the course. Not sure where to start? Below is a step-by-step breakdown of how to complete traffic school in California:
- Check your court notice: Once your ticket is processed, the court will send a notice with details about your fine, payment options, and other relevant information. The courtesy notice will also say whether you’re eligible for traffic school. Expect to receive this letter within 14 to 60 days after getting your ticket.
Generally, you can attend traffic school if you meet the following traffic school eligibility requirements:
- You hold a valid non-commercial driver’s license.
- You’re charged with a one-point moving violation.
- You haven’t completed traffic school in the last 18 months.
- You were not under the influence at the time of the offense.
- Contact the court: Reach out to the court handling your case to ask for permission to attend traffic school. If your request is approved, the judge will give you a deadline to finish the course.
- Pay your fine: Plead guilty to the charge, then pay the fine associated with your ticket. You’ll also need to pay a traffic school administrative fee of $49 to $79, depending on the jurisdiction.
- Choose a state-approved traffic school: Look for course providers licensed by the California DMV. For example, our online traffic school is approved by the DMV and accepted by all state courts.
- Select a course format: Depending on your preferences, you can opt for online traffic school courses, classroom-based courses, or home-study courses. Each of these options appeals to different types of learners, offering more or less flexibility. If you prioritize convenience, register for an online course you can take from home.
- Take the course: Go through all modules and take the quizzes after each lesson. You must also take and pass a final exam consisting of 25 questions. The exam is open-book, meaning you can check the course materials at any time. 99% of our students pass on the first try (we also provide unlimited retakes for free.)
- Complete traffic school before the deadline: The court will give you 60 to 90 days to finish traffic school. If you can’t meet the deadline, contact the court to request a traffic school extension.
Note that you can complete our online course in just two or three hours, so you can sign up even if your due date is today. Just make sure you finish no later than 11:59 PM (PST).
- Follow up with the court: We’ll submit your certificate of completion to the court and DMV the same day you finish traffic school. If your traffic ticket is from another state, mail your certificate to the court in charge of your case.
Once these steps are completed, the court will conceal one point on your license. All you have left to do is drive safely to avoid future traffic violations.
Why Choose Best Online Traffic School?
Thousands of drivers have chosen our online course to fulfill their court obligations quickly and easily. We’re one of the few traffic schools in California to provide the course in English, Spanish, and Chinese with free audio narration.
Our students also enjoy perks like:
✅ Free same-day submission of your certificate to the court and DMV
✅ Free electronic certificate copy
✅ Unlimited course retakes
✅ Unlimited attempts to pass
✅ Study anytime, anywhere
✅ Save-and-resume feature
✅ Unmatched 24/7 customer support
✅ No credit card required
✅ Pay a one-time flat fee
Did we mention you can take our course for free? That’s right. At Best Online Traffic School, you don’t have to pay anything until you pass. Plus, you can use our Best Online Traffic School promo code for further savings.
Best Online Traffic School’s reviews highlight how simple, fast, and stress-free the course is, from registration to submitting your certificate to the court. And it’s available in all California counties, including Los Angeles County, San Diego County, Orange County, and Riverside County.
Interested to find out more? Start traffic school for FREE to keep points off your record and refresh your driving knowledge.
FAQs about Traffic School in California
Is there anything else you want to know before enrolling in traffic school? Below are the answers to some commonly asked questions.
What disqualifies you from traffic school in California?
Not everyone is eligible for traffic school. The court may decline your request if the following apply to you:
• You were driving with a suspended or expired license at the time of the offense.
• You committed the violation while operating a commercial vehicle.
• You have taken traffic school over the past 18 months.
• You exceeded the speed limit by 25+ miles per hour.
• Your ticket was issued for a non-moving violation (e.g., improper parking).
• You’re charged with a misdemeanor or felony.
• The offense is alcohol- or drug-related.
• You broke the law while driving without a license.
Only the judge can decide whether you can attend traffic school, so ask about it. There are cases where the court may show leniency and allow drivers to take the course even if they don’t meet all eligibility criteria.
What happens after I request traffic school in California?
If your request is approved, you must plead not guilty and pay your ticket along with a traffic school administrative fee. Then, the court will give you a due date to finish the course.
The judge might deny your request if you don’t meet the eligibility criteria. In such cases, you can pay the fine or contest your ticket in court.
What happens if you don’t complete traffic school in California?
You can pay your ticket and skip traffic school, but the point will go on your record. This can result in higher insurance costs, missed career opportunities, or even license suspension.
