How to find a California DMV-licensed online traffic school
California's Department of Motor Vehicles 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 where your ticket was issued. This means you need to check with that specific county's traffic court or probation department to see which online schools they accept.
The fastest way to find approved schools is to call the traffic court in the county where you received your citation. They will tell you which online providers are currently licensed to operate in that county. Some counties post their approved list on the court's website; others require a phone call. A few large counties have dozens of approved online schools, while smaller counties may have only three or four.
You can also ask the officer who issued your ticket or check the citation itself — some tickets list approved traffic schools on the back. If you received a notice to appear in court, that document may also include a list of county-approved providers.
Key Takeaways
- The DMV does not publish a statewide list; instead, each county approves its own traffic schools, so you must contact the traffic court in the county where you got your ticket.
- Online traffic schools must be licensed by the county court system, and taking a course from an unlicensed provider will not satisfy your traffic school requirement.
- Most California counties now accept online traffic school, but the specific approved schools vary by county and change over time.
- You can find approved schools by calling the traffic court, checking the court's website, or asking at the probation department in the county where your citation was issued.
- Once you complete an approved course, the school sends your certificate directly to the court, and you do not need to submit it yourself.
Why county approval matters and what it means
California law allows courts to order traffic school as an alternative to paying a fine or accepting a conviction on your record. Because traffic school is a court-ordered sanction, only schools that meet state standards and are licensed by the local court system can offer it. An online school that is not licensed in your county cannot legally fulfill this requirement, even if it is licensed elsewhere in California.
When you complete a course at a county-approved school, the school files your certificate of completion with the court automatically. You do not have to print it, mail it, or appear in court again. The court then dismisses your ticket (if you met all other conditions) or reduces the fine. Taking a course from an unlicensed provider means you will still owe the full fine and the conviction will remain on your record.
How to contact your county traffic court
The easiest way to get a list of approved online schools is a phone call to the traffic division of the superior court in the county where you received your ticket. Most courts have a dedicated traffic court phone line. You can find the number by searching "[County name] superior court traffic division" or by visiting the county's official court website.
When you call, have your citation number ready. Ask the clerk which online traffic schools are currently approved in that county. Some courts will email or mail you a list; others will read you a few names over the phone. If the court has a website, check there first — many post their approved school list online, which saves you a phone call.
If you cannot reach the traffic court, try the county probation department. Probation officers often know which schools are approved and can point you in the right direction. You can also ask the traffic school itself whether it is licensed in your county — legitimate schools will be able to confirm this when ready.
What to expect when you enroll in an online course
Once you have confirmed that a school is approved in your county, enrollment is straightforward. You will provide your citation number, driver's license number, and basic contact information. The school will verify that you are may be able to access to take traffic school (for example, that you have not taken it in the past 18 months in California) and that your ticket qualifies.
Most online courses take four to eight hours to complete and can be done in one sitting or spread over several days. You watch video lessons, answer questions, and take a final exam. The passing score is usually 70 or 80 percent, and you can retake the exam if you do not pass on your first try. Once you pass, the school files your certificate with the court within one to three business days.
The cost of online traffic school in California ranges widely depending on the provider and county, but typically falls between $20 and $60. Some counties cap the price; others do not. Ask about the total cost before you enroll, including any court fees you may owe separately.
Counties with the most online school options
Large counties like Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, and Alameda have approved dozens of online traffic schools. Smaller rural counties may have only two or three. If you live in or received a ticket in a major metropolitan area, you will have many choices and can compare prices and course formats. If you are in a smaller county, your options may be limited, but at least one or two approved online schools should be available.
Some online schools operate statewide and are licensed in multiple counties. Others are licensed in only one or two counties. When you call the traffic court, ask whether the school you are interested in is approved — do not assume that because a school is licensed in one county, it is licensed in yours.
What happens after you complete the course
After you pass the final exam, the traffic school sends your certificate of completion to the court electronically. You will receive a confirmation email from the school showing that the certificate was filed. The court then processes your case, and the ticket is dismissed or the fine is reduced, depending on what the judge ordered.
You do not need to do anything else. Do not print the certificate, do not mail it to the court, and do not call the court to follow up unless you do not hear back within two weeks. If the court does not receive the certificate within the timeframe the school promised, contact the school to confirm it was sent. Keep your confirmation email as proof that you completed the course.
Situations where online traffic school may not be an option
Not every ticket qualifies for traffic school. Serious violations like reckless driving, driving under the influence, or driving with a suspended license typically cannot be dismissed through traffic school. Tickets for accidents may also be ineligible. Additionally, California law limits traffic school to once every 18 months, so if you took a course recently, you cannot take another one yet.
Some judges also have discretion to deny traffic school even for may be able to access violations. If your case goes to court and the judge denies your request, you will have to pay the fine or contest the ticket. If you are unsure whether your ticket qualifies, ask the traffic court when you call for the list of approved schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take online traffic school if I got a ticket in one county but live in another?
Yes. You must take a course approved by the county where you received the ticket, not where you live. Call the traffic court in that county to find approved online schools. You can take the course from anywhere with an internet connection.
What if I cannot find an approved online school in my county?
Some smaller counties have fewer online options. Call the traffic court and ask whether they accept online schools at all, or whether you must attend an in-person class. If online is not available, ask for a list of in-person traffic schools in your area.
Do I need to tell the court I am taking traffic school, or does the school handle it?
The school handles it. You do not need to contact the court before, during, or after taking the course. The school files your certificate directly with the court once you pass. You only need to contact the court if the school does not file within the promised timeframe.
How long does it take for the court to dismiss my ticket after I complete traffic school?
Most courts process dismissals within one to three weeks after receiving the certificate from the school. Some courts are faster. If you do not see the dismissal reflected in your driving record within a month, contact the traffic court to confirm they received the certificate.
Is there a difference between online traffic schools and in-person classes in terms of how the court treats them?
No. As long as both are licensed by the county, the court treats them the same way. The only difference is convenience — online schools let you complete the course on your schedule from home, while in-person classes require you to attend at a specific time and location.