California traffic school is offered both online and in person, with online courses available statewide and in-person classes at DMV-approved schools in most counties
The California Department of Motor Vehicles does not run traffic school itself. Instead, the DMV approves private schools and online providers to teach traffic safety courses. When you need to take traffic school — usually because you received a traffic ticket and want to keep it off your record — you choose from hundreds of approved providers. Some operate only online, some only in physical classrooms, and some offer both.
Finding the right location depends on whether you prefer to attend class in person or complete the course from home. Online courses let you work at your own pace and finish in a day or two. In-person classes meet on specific dates and times, usually on weekends or weekday evenings, and typically last four to eight hours in a single session.
Key Takeaways
- The DMV approves traffic schools but does not operate them; you must enroll directly with a private provider, not the DMV.
- Online traffic schools are available throughout California and let you complete the course from home at your own pace.
- In-person classes meet at physical locations in most California counties, usually on weekends, and you can find them by searching the DMV's approved provider list.
- All approved schools charge between $20 and $50 for the course itself, though some charge extra for processing or materials.
- You must complete traffic school before your ticket's due date and provide proof of completion to the court, not the DMV.
How to find approved traffic schools in your county
The California DMV maintains a searchable list of all approved traffic schools on its website. You can search by county or by provider name. The list shows whether each school offers online courses, in-person classes, or both, and includes contact information and websites.
To search the list, go to the DMV's traffic school provider directory. Enter your county name, and you will see all schools licensed to operate there. The directory includes the school's phone number, website, and the types of courses they offer. Many schools also list their class schedules and locations directly on their websites, so you can see what times work for you before you call.
If you live in a rural county with few in-person options, online traffic school is almost always available. Online providers are approved statewide, so you can take a course from any approved online school regardless of where you live.
In-person traffic school locations and schedules
In-person traffic schools operate in most California counties, though the number of locations and class times varies. Urban areas like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego have dozens of schools with multiple class times each week. Smaller counties may have only a few schools with classes on weekends only.
Most in-person classes meet on Saturday or Sunday mornings or afternoons, or on weekday evenings after 5 p.m. Classes typically run four to eight hours, sometimes with a lunch break. A few schools offer shorter sessions spread across two or three evenings. When you call or visit a school's website, ask about their current schedule — class times change seasonally and may fill up quickly.
You will need to bring a valid driver's license and the citation or notice you received. Some schools ask you to arrive 15 minutes early to check in. Bring a pen for note-taking, though most schools provide materials. Parking is usually free at the school location.
Online traffic school options and how they work
Online traffic schools let you complete the course from any device with internet access — a computer, tablet, or phone. You can start and stop as many times as you want, and most courses take between two and six hours to finish. You do not have to complete it all in one sitting.
When you enroll in an online course, you create an account on the school's website and log in to begin. The course includes videos, text, and interactive sections. At the end, you take a short test. Once you pass, the school generates a certificate of completion, which you read and print or have sent to the court.
Online schools are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can start a course at midnight on a Tuesday and finish it on Wednesday morning if you want. This makes online traffic school the fastest option if you are short on time or have a schedule that does not fit in-person class times.
Cost and what to expect when you enroll
California law caps the cost of traffic school at $50 for the course itself. Most approved schools charge between $20 and $50. Some schools add extra fees for processing, certificate mailing, or court filing, so the total can reach $60 to $70. Online schools typically charge less than in-person schools because they have lower overhead.
When you enroll, you will need to provide your driver's license number, the citation number from your ticket, and your court information. The school uses this to verify that you are allowed to take traffic school for your ticket. Some courts do not allow traffic school for certain violations, so the school will tell you if you are ineligible before you pay.
Payment is usually by credit card or debit card online. Some in-person schools accept cash or checks in person. Ask about refund policies before you enroll — most schools do not refund once you have started the course, but policies vary.
Submitting your certificate to the court
After you finish traffic school, you receive a certificate of completion. You are responsible for sending this certificate to the court listed on your ticket, not to the DMV. The court uses the certificate to dismiss the ticket from your record.
Most schools mail the certificate to the court for you at no extra charge, or for a small fee of $5 to $10. If you choose to mail it yourself, send it to the address on your ticket or call the court to confirm where to send it. Include a copy of your ticket or citation number so the court can match it to your case.
Check your ticket for the important date to submit the certificate. You must complete traffic school and have the certificate reach the court before that date. If you miss the important date, the ticket will not be dismissed and may result in a fine or points on your record.
What happens if you cannot find a location near you
If you live in a county with no in-person traffic schools, or if none of their schedules work for you, online traffic school is your option. Online schools are approved statewide and available to anyone in California, regardless of where they live or which court issued their ticket.
Some people also choose online traffic school even when in-person classes are available nearby, because it is faster and more flexible. You do not lose any benefit by choosing online — the court accepts certificates from any DMV-approved school, whether online or in person.
If you have questions about whether a particular school is approved, or if you cannot find any schools in your area, call the California DMV at 1-800-777-0133. They can confirm which schools are licensed in your county and answer questions about the traffic school process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take traffic school online if I live in California but my ticket is from another state?
No. California traffic school is only for tickets issued in California. If your ticket is from another state, you need to contact that state's DMV or the court that issued the ticket to find out what options are available there.
Do I have to take traffic school at a school in my county?
No. For online traffic school, you can enroll with any DMV-approved online provider in California. For in-person classes, you can attend a school in any county, though most people choose one near their home for convenience. The court does not care which school you choose, as long as it is DMV-approved.
What if I fail the test at the end of traffic school?
Most traffic schools let you retake the test at no extra charge. The test is designed to be straightforward — it covers material from the course and is not meant to be difficult. If you fail, review the material and take it again. You do not lose your enrollment or have to pay again.
How long does it take to get the certificate after I finish?
If the school mails the certificate to the court for you, it usually takes three to seven business days. If you print it yourself after passing the test, you have it when ready. Check your ticket for the court's important date and plan accordingly — do not wait until the last day to finish the course.
Will taking traffic school keep the ticket off my driving record?
Yes, if you complete traffic school and the court receives your certificate before the important date, the ticket is dismissed and does not appear on your DMV record. However, the traffic stop itself may still be recorded — traffic school removes the violation, not the stop.