How Traffic School Removes Points from Your California Record

What Traffic School Does to Your DMV Record

Attending traffic school in California does not technically erase a violation from your driving record. Instead, completing a DMV-approved traffic school course makes the point associated with the violation confidential. This means that while the DMV still has a record of the conviction, it is hidden from your public driving record — the version that insurance companies see when they check your history.

This distinction is important. The violation still exists on your confidential DMV record, and the court retains its own record of the conviction. However, because the point is masked from your public record, your insurance company will not see it when they review your driving history to set your premium. For most drivers, the practical benefit of traffic school is keeping their insurance rates from increasing.

Eligibility Requirements for Traffic School

Not every driver or every violation qualifies for traffic school. California law (CVC 41501 and California Rules of Court, Rule 4.104) sets specific eligibility requirements that you must meet before a court will grant traffic school as an option.

• The violation must be a one-point infraction (most common traffic tickets qualify).
• You must hold a valid (non-commercial) driver license at the time of the violation.
• You must not have attended traffic school for another violation within the preceding 18 months.
• The violation must not involve alcohol or drugs.
• The violation must not have occurred in a commercial vehicle.
• You must not have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony traffic offense.

How to Request Traffic School

In most cases, you must specifically request traffic school from the court handling your citation. The process varies slightly by county, but generally follows these steps:

1. Receive your traffic ticket and check the court appearance or payment deadline on the citation.
2. Contact the court (online, by phone, or in person) before the deadline and request traffic school eligibility.
3. Pay the full bail (fine) amount plus an additional administrative fee (typically $50 to $65, depending on the county).
4. The court grants you a deadline to complete the traffic school course, usually 60 to 90 days.
5. Enroll in and complete a DMV-licensed traffic school course (online or in person).
6. The school reports your completion directly to the court. The court then notifies the DMV to make the point confidential.

It is critical to complete the course and ensure the school reports your completion before the court deadline. If you miss the deadline, the court may revoke the traffic school option and the point will appear on your public driving record.

Online vs. In-Person Traffic School

California allows both online and in-person traffic school courses, and both are equally effective at masking the point from your record. The DMV maintains a list of licensed traffic schools on its website that you can search by format, location, and language.

Online courses are the most popular option because they allow you to complete the required coursework at your own pace from any location. Most online courses take about six to eight hours to complete and include quizzes and a final exam. In-person courses are typically completed in a single day at a classroom location.

Limitations of Traffic School

While traffic school is a valuable tool, it has important limitations that every driver should understand:

• Traffic school does not dismiss the ticket — you still pay the full fine amount plus an administrative fee.
• Traffic school only masks the point; the conviction remains on your confidential DMV record.
• You can only use traffic school once every 18 months.
• Two-point violations (DUI, reckless driving, etc.) are not eligible for traffic school.
• Commercial license holders cannot use traffic school to mask points from violations committed while driving a commercial vehicle.
• The NOTS program may still count the violation for its internal tracking even if the point is masked from your public record.

Traffic School vs. Contesting the Ticket

Many drivers face a choice between accepting the ticket and attending traffic school, or contesting the ticket to seek a full dismissal. Each approach has trade-offs worth considering.

Attending traffic school guarantees the point will be masked from your insurance company, but you still pay the full fine. Contesting the ticket through Trial by Written Declaration or at trial gives you a chance at a complete dismissal — no fine and no point at all — but there is no guarantee of success. If you contest and lose, you may still be able to request traffic school afterward, depending on the court.

Learn how Trial by Written Declaration works and whether it could help you. What Is Trial by Written Declaration? →

Upload your ticket to see your options for contesting or attending traffic school. Upload Your Ticket →