How Do I Request Traffic School?

If you have a valid driver's license and the alleged violation is a vehicle code infraction, you may be eligible to attend traffic school. Traffic school is a course that helps traffic violators become more aware of California laws. DMV will only suppress one moving violation from your record within an 18-month period. This 18-month period is calculated from violation date to violation date and not from the date of traffic school attendance. If you are eligible and decide not to attend traffic school, your automobile insurance may be adversely affected.

To attend traffic school, you must pay a non-refundable traffic school fee equal to the citation bail amount plus an additional $52.00 to the Court (VC 42007.1). 

If one of the criteria listed below applies, you do not qualify and the Court Clerk cannot grant Traffic School:

• You have previously attended traffic school within the last 18 months of the alleged violation date.
• The alleged violation involves alcohol or drug possession.
• You have failed to appear pursuant to Vehicle Code section 40508(a) or Penal Code section 1214.1.
• The alleged violation carries more than one point count pursuant to Vehicle Code section 12810.

NOTE: Traffic schools are private businesses and will also charge an additional fee for the course. This is separate from the administrative fee charged by the court.

Commercial Drivers: You are eligible for traffic school if you have a commercial license and were NOT driving a commercial vehicle when you were cited. After successful completion of traffic violator school, no points will be added to your DMV record. However, the infraction will NOT be reported as a confidential conviction (California Vehicle Code Section 42005). To guarantee your driver record is adjusted correctly following your completion of a traffic violator school program, please contact the CA DMV Driver Safety Unit at (916) 657-6452.

Certificate

When you have completed Traffic School, the Traffic School will provide the completion certificate to the Court. You do not need to send it to the court.

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What Is Traffic School?

Traffic school is a program where you will receive instruction in driving and traffic safety that can enhance your driving knowledge and skill level. Your successful completion of a course from one of the DMV-licensed traffic schools may allow your violation to be masked from public view on your driving record and will remove the point from your record. This can prevent your insurance company from seeing your violation and raising your insurance rates.