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 (not a misdemeanor)
• Weren’t under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Haven’t attended traffic school in the last 18 months
• Plead guilty to the violation

Learn more about traffic school eligibility in California.

How to request traffic school in Orange County?

In Orange County, you can request traffic school for eligible citations through the following methods. You must pay both the bail amount (your ticket fine) and the court’s administrative fee (currently $54) before enrolling.

Online:

• Log into My Court Portal using your OC Pay # and citation number.
• Pay the total amount, then select the “Attend Traffic School” option.
• After payment, choose a DMV-approved online or classroom school from the list sent with your notice.

By Phone:

• Call the Automated Information & Payment Center at (877) 872‑2122 and follow prompts to sign up and pay.

By Mail:

• Write a letter including your full name, citation number, and a statement requesting traffic school.
• Include a check or money order for the bail + $54 administrative fee, payable to Orange County Clerk of Courts.
• Mail to the address on your Violation Information Notice.

In Person:

• Visit any Orange County Justice Center (e.g., Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Fullerton, Westminster).
• Bring your citation or Violation Notice and payment method (credit card, cash, check).
• Request traffic school at the clerk’s office while paying.

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

In Orange County, once you’ve completed the paperwork and paid the required bail and court traffic school fees, you have 90 calendar days to complete a state-approved traffic school program. This 90-day period starts from the date your payment is processed by the court, not when you received the ticket or notice.

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.