Traffic Tickets: A to Z

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Traffic Court

Click on a topic to learn about Traffic School:

1. Who is eligible?

2. Who is not eligible?

3. What are the advantages of attending school?

4. How do I register for Traffic School?

5. Where is the school?

6. Online Traffic School

7. What does it cost?

8. How long do I have to complete Traffic School?

9. How do I tell the Court I finished Traffic School?
   

 
1. Who Is eligible:
   
   Generally, you can go to traffic school if:
    
   • you have a valid driver’s license and
   • your ticket is for an infraction that is a moving violation

   Your courtesy notice will say if you are eligible for Traffic School.
   
   You cannot go to Traffic School for equipment or non-moving violations.
   
    

2. Who Is not eligible:
   
   You cannot go to school for any:
    
   • Misdemeanor
   • Violation that has a mandatory Court appearance
   • Alcohol related violation

   Also, the California Vehicle Code (see section VC40005 on this state code page) states that certain drivers with a commercial drivers license cannot attend traffic school. Note: This applies to any holder of a commercial drivers license regardless of the type of vehicle being driven at the time of the violation.

   Also, if you have gone to Traffic School for a ticket that you got within the last 18 months, you cannot go to the standard 8-hour Traffic School for this citation.
   
   The violation will still show on your DMV printout - however, a point will not be added to your driving record.
   
   See the section below on sending proof of completing the class to the Court. If you don't send proof to the Court that you finished traffic school, the dismissal will not appear on your record. This may affect your car insurance.

    

3. What are the advantages of attending school?
   
   If you complete Traffic School, the Court will dismiss the charge. No one, except for the Court, will know about the charge or that you went to Traffic School. (See exception in the section above.)

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4. How do I register for Traffic School?
   
   You can register for traffic school in person, by mail, by phone or online.
    
   • In person:
     
     Go to any of the traffic courthouses. Pay the "Amount Due for Traffic School" shown on your courtesy notice. Sign the agreement to go to traffic school, and the clerk will give you the registration form.
      
   • By mail:
     
     Mail the Court a letter asking for Traffic School. Include payment of the amount in the box labeled "Amount Due for Traffic School" on your courtesy notice. Do NOT combine the bail forfeiture amount due and the Traffic School amount due. When the Court gets your request for Traffic School, you will be mailed the registration forms.
      
   • By phone:
     
     Use the Court’s automated phone system (see Traffic Court locations and phone numbers). You must pay with Visa or MasterCard. You will also have to pay a convenience fee.
      
   • Online
     
     Go to the Traffic School website, DriversEd.com, after paying the Traffic School fee to the Court through one of the methods above.
      
5. Where is the school?
   
   Traffic School Must Be Completed in The State of California.

   If you go to Traffic School in Santa Clara County, you must take a class given by DriversEd.com.

   If you go to an out-of-county traffic school, you must use a DMV-approved school. Your traffic school must be in California. Click here to see a list of DMV's Traffic Schools or search the DMV web page.
    

6. Online Traffic School
   
   You can take classes online, but you must pay the Traffic School fee to the Court first. (See How do I register for Traffic School? for information on paying the Court.)
   
   To register with DriversEd.com, go to their website at DriversEd.com. The school's phone number is 1-888-651-2886. Their email address is info@driversed.com.

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7. What does it cost?
   
   All Traffic Schools will ask you to pay a fee. This is in addition to the administrative fee you pay to the Court. The amount depends on the school you choose.
   
    
8. How long do I have to complete Traffic School?
   
   If you go to Court and the Commissioner says you can go to Traffic School, the Commissioner will also order a deadline for you to complete Traffic School. The deadline will be on the order you get in Court.
   
   If you do not go to Court, you must register for Traffic School with the Court by the due date on your ticket. You must complete Traffic School within 90 days after you register with the Court.
   
    
9. How do I tell the Court I finished Traffic School?
   
   You can either mail proof of completion to the Court or take it in person. If the lines are too long, you can put the proof in the drop box. (Click to see information on court locations and drop boxes.)
   
   You should not rely on the Traffic School to send proof to the Court.