What California DMV Approves for Online Traffic School
California DMV does not maintain a single official list of approved online traffic schools. Instead, the DMV requires that any traffic school you attend be licensed by the county traffic court that issued your citation. This means the court — not the DMV — decides which schools meet state standards.
When you receive a traffic ticket in California, the citation itself or the court's website will tell you which schools are approved in that county. Some counties maintain their own lists; others direct you to search statewide databases. The school you choose must be licensed in the specific county where you received the ticket, not just any county in California.
Online schools must meet the same state requirements as in-person schools: they must teach a state-approved curriculum, be taught by instructors with proper credentials, and issue a certificate of completion that the court will recognize. The online format itself does not change these requirements — only the delivery method.
Key Takeaways
- Your traffic court, not the DMV, approves which schools you can attend, so you must check your citation or the court's website for the approved list in your county.
- An online school must be licensed in the specific county where you received your ticket; approval in another county does not count.
- The school must issue a certificate of completion that you submit to the court before your important date, usually 30 days from the citation date.
- Cost varies by county and school, typically between $20 and $50, and the school will tell you the exact fee before you enroll.
- Completion time ranges from 4 to 8 hours depending on the course, and you can usually pause and resume at your own pace.
How to Find an Approved School in Your County
Start by looking at your traffic citation. Many citations print the approved school list or a website where you can find it. If your citation does not include this information, go to the website of the traffic court in the county where you received the ticket.
County court websites typically have a section for traffic offenses or traffic school. Search for terms like "approved traffic schools," "traffic school list," or "traffic violator school." Some counties use a centralized system; others list schools directly on the court page. If you cannot find the list online, call the traffic court clerk's office — they can tell you which schools are approved and whether online options are available.
Once you have the list, check each school's website to confirm it offers online courses in your county. Some schools are approved in multiple counties but not all. The school's enrollment page should ask you to select your county and confirm that the school is licensed there before you pay.
What to Check Before You Enroll
Verify that the school is actually licensed in your county. The school's website should display its license number or certificate of approval. If it does not, contact the school directly and ask for proof. Do not enroll in a school that cannot show you its county license.
Check the course length and format. California law requires traffic school courses to be at least 4 hours long. Most online schools allow you to complete the course over several days or weeks, pausing and resuming as needed. Some schools offer the course in one sitting; others break it into modules. Choose the format that fits your schedule, but confirm the important date — you must submit your certificate to the court before your important date, usually 30 days from the citation date.
Look at the cost. Schools must disclose the full fee before you enroll. Typical costs range from $20 to $50, depending on the county and the school. Some schools charge extra for rush processing or certificate delivery. Ask whether the quoted price includes everything or if there are additional fees. Also check whether the school accepts the payment method you prefer — most accept credit cards and debit cards, but some may have other options.
Read the school's refund policy. If you start the course and decide it is not right for you, can you get your money back? Most schools offer refunds if you have not completed the course, but policies vary. Know the refund terms before you pay.
How the Online Course Works and What Happens After
When you enroll, the school will give you a login and password to access the course. You will watch videos, read material, and answer questions about California traffic laws and safe driving. The course covers topics like right-of-way, speed limits, defensive driving, and the dangers of distracted or impaired driving.
You must complete all course material and pass a final exam. Most schools require a score of 70 or 80 percent to pass. If you do not pass on your first try, you can usually retake the exam at no extra cost. Once you pass, the school will issue a certificate of completion, usually in PDF format that you can print or save.
You are responsible for submitting the certificate to the court before your important date. Some schools offer to mail the certificate to the court for you, but this costs extra and takes longer. The fastest way is usually to print the certificate yourself and mail it to the court, or deliver it in person if the court accepts hand delivery. Check your citation or the court's website for the mailing address and the exact important date.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not enroll in a school that is not approved in your county. Schools approved in other counties will not satisfy your court's requirement, and the court will not accept the certificate. Always confirm the county license before you pay.
Do not wait until the last day to enroll. If you enroll on day 29 of a 30-day important date and the course takes 4 hours to complete, you may not have time to finish and submit the certificate. Enroll as soon as you decide to take traffic school, and aim to complete the course at least 3 to 5 days before your important date.
Do not assume the school will submit the certificate for you. Unless you pay for the school to mail it and confirm that the court has received it, you are responsible for getting the certificate to the court on time. Keep a copy of the certificate for your records, and consider mailing it certified mail so you have proof of delivery.
Do not ignore the important date. If you miss it, the court may suspend your license, issue a warrant, or impose additional fines. If you think you will miss the important date, contact the court when ready and ask for an extension — some courts will grant one if you have a valid reason.
What Happens If You Complete Traffic School
Completing traffic school does not erase the ticket from your driving record. It prevents the court from reporting the violation to the DMV, which means the ticket will not add points to your driving record and will not increase your insurance rates. However, the ticket will still appear on your court record.
You will still pay the fine associated with the ticket. Traffic school is a way to keep the violation off your DMV record, not to avoid the fine. The court will tell you the amount you owe when you receive the citation.
After you submit the certificate, the court will process it and confirm that you have satisfied the traffic school requirement. You should receive written confirmation from the court. Keep this confirmation for your records in case there is ever a question about whether you completed the requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take online traffic school if I received a ticket for speeding?
Most speeding tickets are may be able to access for traffic school in California, but not all. Tickets for speeding more than 15 miles per hour over the limit, or speeding in a school zone, may not be may be able to access. Check your citation or call the court to confirm whether your specific ticket qualifies before you enroll in a school.
How long does it take to complete an online traffic school course?
The course itself is at least 4 hours long, but you can usually spread it over several days. Most schools let you log in and out as many times as you need. You can complete the course in one day or take a week — it depends on the school's design and your schedule. Check the school's website to see how the course is structured before you enroll.
What if I cannot find an approved school list for my county?
Call the traffic court clerk's office in the county where you received the ticket. They can tell you which schools are approved and whether online options are available. If the court does not maintain a list, ask for the name of at least one approved school so you know what to look for.
Do I have to print the certificate or can I submit it electronically?
Most courts accept printed certificates delivered by mail or in person. Some courts now accept electronic submission through their online portals. Check your citation or the court's website to see what submission methods are allowed. If you are unsure, call the court and ask before you complete the course.
What if I fail the final exam?
You can usually retake the exam at no extra cost. Most schools allow unlimited retakes. However, you must pass and submit the certificate before your important date, so do not wait until the last day to take the exam for the first time.