California DMV maintains an official list of traffic schools it has approved to offer online courses
The California Department of Motor Vehicles does not publish a single searchable database of approved online traffic schools. Instead, it approves individual schools that meet state standards, and those schools are responsible for listing themselves as DMV-approved. You can find approved schools by searching the DMV website directly, calling the DMV, or checking the school's own website for its approval status.
When you complete an approved online traffic school course, the school sends a Certificate of Completion to the court that issued your traffic ticket. The court then reports the completion to the DMV, which removes the point from your driving record. This process works only if the school is genuinely approved — taking a course from an unapproved school will not satisfy your court order and will not remove the point.
The approval process is strict. Schools must meet requirements around course content, testing, instructor qualifications, and data security. They must also comply with California Vehicle Code Section 1808.7, which sets the rules for traffic school operations. A school's approval can be revoked if it violates these rules.
Key Takeaways
- The DMV approves individual traffic schools, but does not maintain a public searchable list — you must verify approval directly with the school or the DMV.
- An approved school will have a DMV approval number and will display it on its website or provide it when you call.
- Only courses from DMV-approved schools will satisfy a court order and result in point removal from your driving record.
- You can confirm a school's approval status by calling the DMV at 1-800-777-0133 or by asking the school for its approval documentation.
- The court that issued your ticket may also provide a list of approved schools in your county.
How to verify a school is actually DMV-approved
Before you enroll and pay, confirm the school's approval status. A legitimate DMV-approved school will provide its approval number without hesitation. This number is public and verifiable. You can call the DMV's Customer Service line at 1-800-777-0133 and give them the school's name and approval number — they will confirm whether it is current and active.
Many schools display their approval status prominently on their homepage. Look for language like "DMV-approved" or "California Department of Motor Vehicles approved" along with an approval number. If a school claims to be approved but cannot provide a number, or if the number does not check out with the DMV, do not enroll. Scam traffic schools often use vague language like "state-approved" or "court-approved" without specifying the DMV.
Your court may also have provided a list of approved schools when you received your ticket or court order. This list is usually reliable because courts work directly with the DMV to maintain it. If you received such a list, schools on it are safe choices.
Where to search for approved schools in your county
The DMV website has a traffic school search tool, though it is not always straightforward to find. Go to the DMV's main website and search for "approved traffic schools" or "online traffic school." The search results will direct you to information about approved providers. You can also call your local DMV office directly and ask for a list of approved online schools serving your county.
Your county court's website may also list approved schools. Traffic courts often maintain their own directories because they receive the Certificates of Completion from these schools. Search "[your county] traffic court approved traffic schools" to find this resource. Some counties have dozens of approved schools; others have fewer. All approved schools must meet the same DMV standards regardless of how many operate in your area.
If you were cited by the California Highway Patrol or a local police department, the ticket itself may have included a list of approved schools or a website where you can find them. Check the back of your citation or any paperwork you received from the court.
What to check before you enroll in an online course
Confirm the course is actually online and not a hybrid or in-person program. Some approved schools offer both formats, and you need to make sure you are signing up for the online version. The course should be completable entirely from your computer or mobile device without attending a physical location.
Check the course length and cost. California-approved online traffic schools typically take four to eight hours to complete and cost between $20 and $50, though prices vary. If a school charges significantly more or claims you can finish in under four hours, verify its approval status again. Unusually low prices can also be a red flag — they may indicate the school is not actually approved or is cutting corners on content quality.
Look for clear information about how the school will send your Certificate of Completion to the court. The school should handle this automatically or provide you with instructions to forward it yourself. You should not have to pay extra for this service. Confirm the school knows which court issued your ticket and will send the certificate to the correct location.
What happens after you complete an approved online course
Once you finish the course and pass the final exam, the school will issue your Certificate of Completion. The school is required to send this certificate to the court that issued your ticket. Some schools send it electronically; others mail it. Ask the school which method it uses and how long it typically takes.
The court receives the certificate and updates its records. The court then reports your completion to the DMV. This process usually takes two to four weeks, though it can vary by court. During this time, the point remains on your record. Once the DMV receives the report, the point is removed and your record is updated.
You do not need to do anything else. You do not contact the DMV directly, and you do not need to provide proof of completion to the DMV yourself. The school and court handle the entire process. If you want to verify that the point has been removed, you can check your driving record through the DMV website or by visiting a DMV office.
Red flags that a school may not be genuinely approved
Be cautious of schools that use vague approval language. Phrases like "state-approved," "court-approved," or "traffic school certified" do not mean DMV-approved. Only the phrase "DMV-approved" or "California Department of Motor Vehicles approved" indicates the school meets state standards. If a school avoids using the word "DMV," ask why.
Schools that pressure you to enroll when ready, offer unusually steep discounts, or claim they can may provide point removal are not trustworthy. The DMV does not may provide anything — completion of an approved course removes the point only if the school is actually approved and the court accepts it. A school cannot may provide this outcome.
If a school's website is poorly designed, contains spelling errors, or provides no contact information, treat it as suspicious. Legitimate approved schools invest in professional websites and customer service. If you cannot easily find the school's approval number or contact details, move on to another school.
What to do if you cannot find an approved school near you
If your search is not turning up results, call the DMV directly at 1-800-777-0133. Explain that you are looking for an approved online traffic school in your county or region. The DMV can provide names and approval numbers. You can also contact the court that issued your ticket — the court clerk can tell you which schools are approved to serve your jurisdiction.
In rare cases, a court may not have approved online schools available. If this happens, you may be able to take an in-person course instead, or the court may allow you to request a different remedy. Contact the court directly to ask about your options. Do not assume that because you cannot find an online school, you can skip traffic school altogether — ignoring a court order can result in additional penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take an online traffic school course from another state?
No. California courts only accept certificates from schools approved by the California DMV. A course taken in another state will not satisfy your California traffic ticket, even if it is approved in that state. You must use a California-approved school.
What if the school I want to use is not on the court's list?
Call the court and ask if the school is approved. The court's list may not be complete. If the court says the school is not approved, do not enroll. You can also call the DMV to verify the school's approval status directly.
Do I have to use the school the court recommended?
No. The court may provide a list of approved schools, but you can choose any DMV-approved school. All approved schools meet the same state standards, so the choice is yours based on price, schedule, and convenience.
What if I complete a course and the court says the school was not approved?
This is rare if you verified approval before enrolling, but if it happens, contact the school when ready. The school may have lost its approval status after you enrolled. You may be able to take another course with a different approved school, or you may need to contact the court about other options.
How long does it take for the point to be removed after I finish the course?
The school sends your certificate to the court, the court reports it to the DMV, and then the DMV removes the point. This process typically takes two to four weeks, but can take longer depending on the court's processing speed. You can check your driving record online through the DMV website to see when the point has been removed.