California traffic school: how it works and who qualifies

Can I go to traffic school for my ticket?

Usually, yes, if all of these are true (San Francisco Superior Court: traffic school; California Courts Self-Help: traffic school):

• You have a valid California driver's license.
• The ticket is for a noncommercial vehicle, and you hold a regular license.
• The ticket carries no more than one DMV point.
• You haven't been to traffic school in the past 18 months.
• It isn't related to alcohol or drugs.
• You weren't more than 25 mph over the speed limit.

A court can allow traffic school for a regular (non-commercial) license holder under Vehicle Code 42005. The court is the one that decides.

What does "18 months" mean?

Only one conviction in any 18-month period is kept confidential. That's the rule in Vehicle Code 1808.7. Many courts count the 18 months from the date of the violation, not the date you attend class. Sutter County (Sutter County Superior Court) and Contra Costa (Contra Costa Superior Court) both say so, and courts word it differently, so check yours.

Which tickets usually don't qualify?

• Speeding more than 25 mph over the limit
• Alcohol or drug offenses
• Tickets worth more than one point
• Anything in a commercial vehicle

If you already went before a judge and weren't granted traffic school, you can't sign up for it later (SF court, above).

What does it cost?

There are three payments, and only one goes to the school:

Pay the court first. The court won't accept your completion until the fine and fee are paid. If you aren't eligible and sign up anyway, the fee isn't refunded and the conviction is reported to the DMV.

How do I sign up?

1. Check your notice. The court's notice says if you can go to traffic school. If you're not sure, ask the court before you pay.
2. Pay the court the fine and the traffic school fee, and choose traffic school when you pay.
3. Pick a school from the DMV's traffic school list. The DMV doesn't take sign-ups. You register with the school directly.
4. Finish by the deadline. The court gives you one. San Francisco generally gives three months from the day you pay. Most schools report completion electronically to the DMV and the court.

Want an online course? Our online traffic school is $49.95, one payment, and you can log in and out as often as you like. Check the course's name on the DMV list before you sign up.

Does skipping it affect my insurance?

Some courts warn that if you're eligible and don't attend, your car insurance may be affected (Contra Costa Superior Court). Ask your insurer how they treat a ticket before you decide.

Want a refresher on the road?

A ticket can make you nervous behind the wheel. A private lesson with one of our instructors helps you get back in the seat. Lessons are one-on-one in a dual-control automatic car, with pickup in San Francisco and listed San Mateo County cities.

$200 · 2-hour lesson. See lesson prices.