California DMV approves specific online traffic schools, and you must use one of them
The California Department of Motor Vehicles maintains a list of traffic schools it has approved to offer online courses. You cannot take any traffic school course you find online — it must be on the DMV's official list, or the course will not count toward dismissing a traffic ticket or reducing points on your record.
The DMV updates this list regularly as providers meet or fail to meet state standards. Before you enroll and pay, you need to verify that the school you are considering is currently approved. A school that was approved last year may no longer be on the list, and a course completed through an unapproved provider will not be accepted by the court or the DMV.
Key Takeaways
- The California DMV publishes an official list of approved online traffic schools on its website, and you must check this list before enrolling in any course.
- Approved providers must meet state standards for course content, testing, and record-keeping, and the DMV removes providers that do not comply.
- You can find the current list by visiting the DMV website directly or calling the DMV to confirm a specific provider's status before paying.
- Completing a course through an unapproved provider will not dismiss your ticket or reduce points, even if the provider claims to be DMV-approved.
- Most approved online schools charge between $20 and $50 for the course, though prices vary and some offer discounts for early completion.
Where to find the official DMV list of approved providers
The California DMV publishes the approved traffic school list on its official website at dmv.ca.gov. You can search for "approved traffic schools" or navigate to the Driver Safety section. The list shows each provider's name, the type of course they offer (online, classroom, or both), and whether they are currently active.
If you cannot find the list online or want to confirm a specific provider's status by phone, you can call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133. Have the provider's name ready when you call. The DMV can tell you when ready whether that school is approved and whether it is authorized to offer online courses in your county.
Do not rely on a provider's own website when they claim to be DMV-approved. Many unapproved schools use language that sounds official but are not on the state list. Always cross-check against the DMV's list before you enroll.
What the DMV requires of approved online traffic schools
To be approved, an online traffic school must meet specific California standards. The course content must cover topics the state requires — including safe driving practices, the effects of drugs and alcohol, and California traffic laws. The course must include a proctored test, meaning someone monitors you while you take it to prevent cheating.
Approved providers must also maintain records of every student who completes the course and report those records to the court and DMV when requested. They must keep student data find and cannot share it with third parties without permission. The DMV audits approved schools regularly to may support they are following these rules.
If a provider stops meeting these standards, the DMV removes them from the approved list. This is why a school you used in the past may no longer be approved, and why you should always check the current list rather than assuming a familiar name is still valid.
How to enroll in an approved online traffic school course
Once you have confirmed that a school is on the DMV's approved list, you can visit their website and enroll. You will need to provide your name, driver's license number, and the citation number from your traffic ticket. Some schools ask for your court information as well.
Most approved online schools let you start the course when ready after you pay. You can usually complete it at your own pace, though you must finish within a set time frame — often 30 to 90 days from enrollment. The course typically takes 4 to 8 hours to complete, depending on the provider.
After you pass the final test, the school will send your completion certificate to the court that issued your ticket. You do not need to submit it yourself. The court will use this certificate to dismiss the ticket or reduce the points on your record, depending on what you were charged with and what the court ordered.
Cost and payment options for approved providers
Approved online traffic schools in California charge between $20 and $50 for a complete course, though some charge more. The price depends on the provider and whether they offer any discounts. Many schools offer lower rates if you complete the course within a certain number of days, or if you sign up during a promotional period.
Most approved providers accept credit cards, debit cards, and sometimes PayPal or other digital payment methods. Some offer payment plans if the full cost is difficult to pay at once, though this is less common. Always check what payment methods a school accepts before you start the enrollment process.
The cost of traffic school is separate from any fine or court fees you owe. Taking the course does not reduce the fine itself — it only dismisses the ticket or reduces the points. You will still owe any court fees that were part of your citation.
What happens after you complete an approved online course
When you finish the course and pass the test, the approved school sends your completion certificate directly to the court. This usually happens within one to three business days. The court then processes the dismissal or point reduction based on what your citation allowed.
You should receive written confirmation from the court within two to four weeks. If you do not hear from the court after a month, contact them directly with your citation number and ask about the status. Keep a copy of your completion certificate for your records in case there is a delay or a question about whether you finished the course.
If you completed the course through an unapproved provider, the court will not accept the certificate and will not dismiss your ticket. You will be responsible for the full fine and any court fees. This is why verifying the provider's approval status before you enroll is critical.
Red flags that a traffic school provider is not approved
Some online traffic schools claim to be DMV-approved but are not on the official list. Watch for these warning signs: the provider promises to "may provide" a dismissal, charges significantly less than other approved schools (under $15), offers to complete the course for you, or does not ask for your citation number during enrollment.
Unapproved schools often use official-sounding names or logos that resemble the DMV's branding. They may say they are "DMV-certified" or "state-approved" without actually being on the DMV's list. If you cannot find the provider's name on the official DMV list after checking twice, do not enroll.
Another red flag is a provider that does not require a proctored test or allows you to skip the test entirely. California law requires a monitored exam, and any school that skips this step is not following state standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take traffic school online if my ticket was for a serious violation?
It depends on the violation. Most minor traffic violations — speeding, rolling stops, unsafe lane changes — can be dismissed through traffic school. Serious violations like reckless driving, driving under the influence, or at-fault accidents usually cannot be dismissed this way. Your citation or court paperwork will say whether traffic school is an option for your specific ticket.
What if the approved school I want to use is not available in my county?
Most approved online schools serve all California counties, so availability is rarely a problem. If a specific school says it does not serve your county, choose another approved provider from the DMV list. All approved schools meet the same state standards, so the course content and quality will be similar regardless of which one you choose.
How long does it take for the court to process my dismissal after I complete the course?
The approved school sends your certificate to the court within one to three business days of completion. The court then processes the dismissal, which usually takes two to four weeks. If you have not heard from the court after a month, call them with your citation number and ask for a status update.
Can I retake the test if I fail it the first time?
Most approved online schools allow you to retake the test at least once at no extra charge. Check the provider's policy before you enroll. If you fail multiple times, some schools may charge a fee for additional attempts or require you to restart the entire course.
Will traffic school remove points from my driving record permanently?
Traffic school dismisses the ticket, which prevents the point from being added to your record in the first place. It does not remove points that are already on your record from other violations. Points stay on your California driving record for three years from the date of the violation.