What DMV-accredited online traffic school means
A DMV-accredited online traffic school is a course approved by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles that you can take from home to dismiss a traffic ticket, reduce points on your driving record, or lower your insurance rates. The course is taught entirely online — you watch videos, read material, and take a test — and when you finish, the school sends proof of completion directly to the DMV or the court that issued your ticket.
The key word is "accredited": the DMV has reviewed the school's curriculum and teaching methods and decided they meet state standards. This means the course will actually count toward dismissing your ticket or reducing your record. Taking a course that is not accredited will not help you, even if you pass it.
Whether you can use online traffic school depends on the violation, your driving history, and your state's rules. A speeding ticket in a school zone, for example, might not be dismissible in some states. A reckless driving charge usually cannot be dismissed through traffic school at all. Your ticket or the court's website will tell you whether traffic school is an option for your specific case.
Key Takeaways
- DMV-accredited online traffic school is a course you take from home that, when completed, can dismiss your ticket or reduce points on your record.
- The school must be accredited by your state's DMV; taking a non-accredited course will not count, even if you pass it.
- Not all violations are dismissible through traffic school — your ticket or the court's website will state whether the option is available for your case.
- You typically have a important date (often 30 to 60 days from the ticket date) to enroll, and the course itself usually takes 4 to 8 hours to complete.
- After you finish, the school reports your completion to the court or DMV, and you do not need to do anything else unless the court asks for proof.
How to find an accredited school in your state
Your state's DMV website lists all accredited online traffic schools. Search "[your state] DMV accredited traffic school" or go directly to your state's DMV site and look for a link labeled "Traffic School" or "Defensive Driving Course." The list usually shows the school name, what violations it covers, and the cost.
Some states maintain a short list of just a few schools; others have dozens. All accredited schools in your state must follow the same curriculum and meet the same standards, so the choice between them usually comes down to price, how long the course takes, and whether you can pause and resume it later. Most charge between $20 and $50, though some states cap the price.
Do not use a school that does not appear on your state's official list. If you are unsure whether a school is accredited, call your local court or the DMV directly — they can confirm in seconds. Taking an unaccredited course wastes your money and does not dismiss your ticket.
What happens when you enroll and take the course
When you enroll, you will create an account, pay the fee, and receive login information. You then log in and begin the course material, which is usually broken into sections you can complete over several days. Most schools let you log out and come back later, though some require you to finish within a set window (like 30 days).
The course content covers traffic laws, safe driving practices, and the consequences of violations. You watch videos, read text, and may answer short quizzes along the way. At the end, you take a final test — usually 20 to 50 multiple-choice questions — and must score at least 70 or 80 percent to pass. If you fail, you can retake it, usually at no extra cost.
The entire course typically takes 4 to 8 hours, depending on the state and school. You do not have to finish it all in one sitting. Once you pass the final test, the school generates a certificate of completion and sends it electronically to the court or DMV listed on your ticket.
important date and timing: when to enroll and when completion matters
Your ticket will state a important date to enroll in traffic school — often 30 to 60 days from the ticket date. You must enroll by that important date, but you do not have to finish the course by that date. Once you enroll, you typically have 90 days to complete it, though this varies by state and school.
If you miss the enrollment important date, you cannot use traffic school to dismiss the ticket. You will have to pay the fine or fight the ticket in court. Some courts allow you to request an extension if you have a good reason, but do not count on it — enroll as soon as you decide to take the course.
After you complete the course, the school sends your certificate to the court or DMV automatically. The court then dismisses the ticket or reduces the points on your record. This process usually takes 1 to 4 weeks. You do not need to follow up unless the court contacts you asking for proof.
How traffic school affects your insurance and driving record
Completing an accredited traffic school course can prevent points from being added to your driving record, which means your insurance company may not see the violation at all. In some states, you can take traffic school once every 12 or 18 months to hide a violation; in others, you can do it only once every three years. Check your state's rules before enrolling.
Even if the violation is dismissed from your record, your insurance company may still know about the ticket if they check the court records directly. However, many insurers offer a discount (usually 5 to 10 percent) for completing a defensive driving course, which is sometimes the same as traffic school or a similar accredited program. Ask your insurance agent whether you may have access to for a discount after you finish.
Traffic school does not erase a ticket that has already been reported to your insurance company. If your insurer already knows about the violation, completing the course will not lower your rates for that incident. The benefit is preventing future violations from adding up and pushing your rates higher.
What to do if your violation is not dismissible
Some violations cannot be dismissed through traffic school, no matter how accredited the course is. These typically include reckless driving, driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, and hit-and-run. Serious speeding (more than 25 miles over the limit in some states) and violations in school zones may also be non-dismissible.
If your ticket says traffic school is not an option, you have two choices: pay the fine or contest the ticket in court. Paying the fine is faster and usually costs less than fighting it, but it adds points to your record and may raise your insurance rates. Contesting the ticket means going to court, where you can argue that the officer made an error or that you have a valid defense.
Before you decide to pay, check whether the court offers a payment plan or a reduced fine for early payment. Some courts also allow you to request a hearing to reduce the fine based on hardship. Call the court listed on your ticket to ask what options are available.
Common mistakes to avoid when taking online traffic school
The most common mistake is enrolling with a school that is not on your state's official accredited list. Always verify the school's accreditation before you pay. A second mistake is missing the enrollment important date — mark it on your calendar and enroll at least a week early to give yourself time to complete the course.
A third mistake is not reading the course material carefully or rushing through it. Some schools use software that detects when you are not actively watching videos or reading pages, and they will not let you proceed until you spend the required time on each section. Skipping ahead or using another browser tab will not work.
Finally, do not assume the course will automatically dismiss your ticket. After you finish, check with the court in 2 to 4 weeks to confirm that the ticket has been dismissed. If the school did not send your certificate, contact the school when ready and ask them to resend it to the court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take online traffic school if I got a ticket in a different state?
Only if you take a course accredited by that state's DMV. You cannot take your home state's traffic school to dismiss a ticket from another state. Search for the state where you got the ticket and find its accredited schools. Some national traffic school companies operate in multiple states, but you must enroll in the version accredited for the state that issued your ticket.
What if I fail the final test?
Most accredited schools let you retake the test at no extra cost. You usually have two or three attempts to pass. If you fail all attempts, contact the school to ask about options — some may let you restart the course or offer a refund. However, you will still need to complete the course before your enrollment important date expires.
Do I need to print my certificate of completion?
No. The school sends the certificate electronically to the court or DMV, so you do not need to print or mail anything. However, it is a good idea to save a copy for your records. If the court later asks for proof, you can show them the email confirmation from the school or log back into your account to read the certificate.
Can I take traffic school more than once to hide multiple tickets?
Most states allow you to use traffic school once every 12 to 18 months, and some allow it only once every three years. You cannot take it multiple times in a short period to dismiss several tickets. Check your state's rules to see how often you are allowed to use this option.
Will traffic school show up on my driving record?
No. If you complete the course and the ticket is dismissed, the violation will not appear on your record. However, the court may keep a record that you were ticketed and completed traffic school, even though the violation itself is hidden. Insurance companies cannot see the dismissed violation, but they may see it if they pull court records directly.