California traffic school rules
In California traffic school holds one conviction confidential, so the point stays off the record insurers see. It applies up to 25 mph over, once every 18 months.
Rules checked
California courts decide traffic school requests, and the clerk can approve eligible tickets. Finishing an approved course keeps one conviction in any 18 month window confidential, so the point stays off the record insurers see. A commercial license holder ticketed in a personal vehicle may attend, but the conviction stays visible and only the point is held back. Each court sets its own fee, sign-up options and completion date and prints them on the courtesy notice. Drivers 55 and over can also take a Mature Driver Improvement course for a possible insurance discount.
- What a course does
- Conviction held confidential, no point
- Speed limit for the course
- Up to 25 mph over
- How often
- Once every 18 months
- Deadline to ask
- Set by your court
- Speeding points
- 1 point
- Points count for
- 3 years
The California rule
Every field of the rule. The number points to its source at the foot of the page.
- The program
- Traffic Violator School
- What it does
- Conviction held confidential, no point
- Set by each court
- YesEach court decides part of the rule.
- Speed limit for the course
- Up to 25 mph over
- Bar at double the posted limit
- Not published
- Open to CDL holders
- No
- Open to tickets in a commercial vehicle
- No
- Open to learner and provisional licenses
- Not published
- Open to drivers licensed in another state
- Not published
- How often
- Once every 18 months, counted from the ticket date
- Lifetime limit
- Not published
- Deadline to ask
- Set by your courtYour court sets the date and prints it on your notice.
- Court fee for the course
- No dollar figureThere is a fee to go to traffic school.
- Course length
- Not published
- Course price the rule publishes
- Not published
- Crashes
- Not published
Who qualifies
- CDL holders do not qualify for the program. California also lets a commercial license holder ticketed in a personal vehicle attend traffic school: the point is held back, and the conviction stays visible.
- Tickets written in a commercial vehicle do not qualify.
- Not published for drivers licensed in another state.
- Speeding tickets up to 25 mph over the limit qualify.
- Tickets that carry more than 1 point do not qualify.
- Not published for tickets with a crash.
- Tickets that involve alcohol or drugs do not qualify.
- Once every 18 months, counted from the ticket date.
Left out of the program, in the words of the rule
- misdemeanors
- a violation that carries a negligent operator point count of more than one point under Vehicle Code section 12810, or one and one-half points or more under section 12810.5(b)(2)
- a violation within 18 months after a previous violation for which the driver attended or elected traffic violator school
- Vehicle Code section 22406.5 (tank vehicles)
- a violation related to alcohol use or possession or drug use or possession
- a violation with an unresolved failure to appear under Vehicle Code section 40508(a) or Penal Code section 1214.1
- speeding more than 25 miles over a speed limit
- a violation in a commercial vehicle as defined in Vehicle Code section 15210(b)
- Vehicle Code sections 20001, 20002, 23103, 23104, 23105, 23140, 23152, 23153, and 23103 as specified in 23103.5
Deadline and how to ask
- Ticket writtenDay 0
- Deadline to askSet by your court
Your court sets the date and prints it on your notice.
Ask through the court clerk.
Courts with their own deadline wording are in the court list below.
Points in California
| Violation, as the state lists it | Type | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding, for example VC 22348(a); any traffic conviction involving safe operation carries one point | Speeding | 1point |
| Speed over 100 mph, VC 22348(b) | Speeding | 2points |
| Other traffic conviction involving the safe operation of a motor vehicle, VC 12810(f) | Red light or stop sign | 1point |
| Other traffic conviction involving the safe operation of a motor vehicle, VC 12810(f) | Lane change or turn | 1point |
| Other traffic conviction involving the safe operation of a motor vehicle, VC 12810(f) | Following too closely | 1point |
| VC 23123(a), 23123.5(a), 23124(b): one point only for a violation on or after July 1, 2021 within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense | Phone use or texting | 0points |
| Mechanical violation: zero or one point depending on whether it affects safe operation | Equipment or registration | Not published |
| Other traffic conviction involving the safe operation of a motor vehicle, VC 12810(f) | Other moving violation | 1point |
| Reckless driving, DUI (VC 23152, 23153), hit and run (VC 20001, 20002), driving on a suspended license (VC 14601 group) | Other moving violation | 2points |
Fees as published
- Court fee for the course
- No dollar figure publishedState, in its own words: There is a fee to go to traffic school.California Vehicle Code section 42007 (opens in a new tab)
Insurance
A voluntary course is published here for an insurance discount. Insurers set their own rates; ask yours.
Source: California Driver's Handbook, Seniors and Driving, Mature Driver Program (opens in a new tab)
Courts in California with their own rules
These courts publish fees, deadlines or limits of their own. A court not listed here follows the state rule above.
Alameda CountyFee not publishedOwn page
- Court
- Superior Court of California, County of AlamedaCovers Alameda County
- Deadline, in its words
- The citation is continued 90 days from the date of payment to complete the course.
- How to ask
- Not published
- Differs from the California rule
- Alameda bars tickets of 25 mph over and above. Rule 4.104 bars tickets of more than 25 mph over. The checker applies the court figure for Alameda tickets: up to 24 mph over.
The Alameda County pageAlameda County traffic page (opens in a new tab)
Contra Costa County$67Own page
- Court
- Superior Court of California, County of Contra CostaCovers Contra Costa County
- Fee, in its words
- $67.00 traffic school administrative fee
- Deadline, in its words
- Not published
- How to ask
- Ask by mail, online or through the court clerk.
The Contra Costa County pageContra Costa County traffic page (opens in a new tab)
Fresno CountyFee not publishedOwn page
- Court
- Superior Court of California, County of FresnoCovers Fresno County
- Deadline, in its words
- 90 days from sign-up to complete the course; the clerk may grant one 90 day extension if asked before the due date.
- How to ask
- Ask in person or by mail.
- Differs from the California rule
- The court page names the bar above 100 mph and not the bar above 25 mph over. Rule 4.104 bars tickets of more than 25 mph over. The checker applies both: more than 25 mph over and more than 100 mph are barred.
The Fresno County pageFresno County traffic page (opens in a new tab)
Kern County$69Own page
- Court
- Superior Court of California, County of KernCovers Kern County
- Fee, in its words
- Traffic School administrative fee is $69.00
- Deadline, in its words
- About 60 days to complete the course after the court receives payment and the request. The due date on the ticket must not have passed.
- How to ask
- Ask in person or by mail.
The Kern County pageKern County traffic page (opens in a new tab)
Los Angeles County$64Own page
- Court
- Superior Court of California, County of Los AngelesCovers Los Angeles County
- Fee, in its words
- non-refundable traffic school processing fee of $64
- Deadline, in its words
- 64 days to complete the course after requesting it; one 60 day extension may be requested.
- How to ask
- Ask online, by mail, by phone or in person.
The Los Angeles County pageLos Angeles County traffic page (opens in a new tab)
Orange CountyFee not published
- Court
- Superior Court of California, County of OrangeCovers Orange County
- Deadline, in its words
- The Violation Information Notice shows the amount due to attend traffic school.
- How to ask
- Ask online, by phone or in person.
San Bernardino County$55Own page
- Court
- Superior Court of California, County of San BernardinoCovers San Bernardino County
- Fee, in its words
- nonrefundable $55 traffic school fee
- Deadline, in its words
- Payment with the traffic school request must be received by the due date on the reminder notice.
- How to ask
- Ask in person, by mail or by phone.
The San Bernardino County pageSan Bernardino County traffic page (opens in a new tab)
San Diego CountyFee not publishedOwn page
- Court
- Superior Court of California, County of San DiegoCovers San Diego County
- Deadline, in its words
- Paying the court fees gives a one-time 90 day continuance to complete traffic school. An express drop box is also available.
- How to ask
- Ask online, by mail, by phone or in person.
The San Diego County pageSan Diego County traffic page (opens in a new tab)
San Francisco County$52Own page
- Court
- Superior Court of California, County of San FranciscoCovers City and County of San Francisco
- Fee, in its words
- $52 non-refundable Traffic School administrative fee
- Deadline, in its words
- Generally three months from the date of payment to complete the course. A driver refused traffic school by a judge cannot sign up later.
- How to ask
- Ask online, by phone, in person or by mail.
The San Francisco County pageSan Francisco County traffic page (opens in a new tab)
San Joaquin County$52Own page
- Court
- Superior Court of California, County of San JoaquinCovers San Joaquin County
- Fee, in its words
- administrative fee of $52
- Deadline, in its words
- Not published
- How to ask
- Not published
The San Joaquin County pageSan Joaquin County traffic page (opens in a new tab)
San Mateo County$82Own page
- Court
- Superior Court of California, County of San MateoCovers San Mateo County
- Fee, in its words
- non-refundable $82.00 administrative fee
- Deadline, in its words
- 60 days to complete traffic school after a mail request.
- How to ask
- Ask by mail or online.
The San Mateo County pageSan Mateo County traffic page (opens in a new tab)
Santa Barbara County$66Own page
- Court
- Superior Court of California, County of Santa BarbaraCovers Santa Barbara County
- Fee, in its words
- $66 administrative fee
- Deadline, in its words
- Sign up on or before the due date on the citation or courtesy notice. 60 calendar days from payment to complete; one 30 day extension if asked before the due date.
- How to ask
- Ask online, by phone, in person or by mail.
The Santa Barbara County pageSanta Barbara County traffic page (opens in a new tab)
Solano CountyFee not publishedOwn page
- Court
- Superior Court of California, County of SolanoCovers Solano County
- Deadline, in its words
- Elect and pay on or before the court due date or extended due date; late elections are refused. 90 days to complete the course. Tickets with a correctable violation can elect only by mail or drop box.
- How to ask
- Ask by mail, in person, online or by phone.
The Solano County pageSolano County traffic page (opens in a new tab)
Sonoma CountyFee not published
- Court
- Superior Court of California, County of SonomaCovers Sonoma County
- Deadline, in its words
- Not published
- How to ask
- Ask online, by phone or by mail.
Stanislaus County$52Own page
- Court
- Superior Court of California, County of StanislausCovers Stanislaus County
- Fee, in its words
- $52.00
- Deadline, in its words
- Request before the court date. Payment extends the court date by 90 days to complete the course. A drop box at the courthouse also takes requests.
- How to ask
- Ask online, in person or by mail.
The Stanislaus County pageStanislaus County traffic page (opens in a new tab)
Tulare County$68Own page
- Court
- Superior Court of California, County of TulareCovers Tulare County
- Fee, in its words
- a fee in the sum of $68.00
- Deadline, in its words
- Not published
- How to ask
- Ask in person, by phone or by mail.
The Tulare County pageTulare County traffic page (opens in a new tab)
Ventura CountyFee not published
- Court
- Superior Court of California, County of VenturaCovers Ventura County
- Deadline, in its words
- Six weeks from payment of the fine and traffic school fees to attend. Court code for schools: 56100.
- How to ask
- Ask online, by mail or in person.
- Differs from the California rule
- The court page bars every CDL holder. Vehicle Code 42005(b) describes a route for a CDL holder ticketed in a personal car. The checker treats CDL holders as barred in every California court, as the state record does.
Courses that serve California
Listed by name. The order never changes with price or commission.
Points Clear may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never changes the verdict or the order.
Aceable
- Price
- $49
- Length
- Not published
- Format
- App
Aceable's own figures, as of October 2026. Confirmed on the state list.
See the Aceable course for California (opens in a new tab)Best Online Traffic School
- Price
- $27.99
- Length
- 8 hours
- Format
- Online, mixed
Best Online Traffic School's own figures, as of October 2026. Confirmed on the state list.
See the Best Online Traffic School course for California (opens in a new tab)DriversEd.com
- Price
- $21.95
- Length
- Not published
- Format
- Not published
DriversEd.com's own figures, as of October 2026. Confirmed on the state list. The record names I Drive Safely as the school that runs this course.
See the DriversEd.com course for California (opens in a new tab)
What we could not confirm
- Courts we could not readWe could not read the traffic pages of the Riverside, Sacramento and Santa Clara courts. A ticket there gets the state rule on this page; your court may differ, so check the citation.
- Not publishedCourse length: Rule 4.104 of the California Rules of Court says 8 hours, while the DMV standard OL 613 says 340 minutes plus a 60 minute test. The rule table leaves the length as not published.
Check a California ticket
The form opens the checker with California filled in. Add the violation and the date from your ticket.
California traffic school questions
Can traffic school dismiss a ticket in California?
In California traffic school holds one conviction confidential, so the point stays off the record insurers see. It applies up to 25 mph over, once every 18 months. The program: Traffic Violator School. Each court decides part of the rule, so confirm with the court on your citation.
How many mph over can you be for traffic school in California?
Up to 25 mph over the limit under the state rule. Some courts set their own limit; the court table on this page lists them.
How often can you take traffic school in California?
Once every 18 months, counted from the ticket date.
When do you have to ask for traffic school in California?
Set by your court. Your court sets the date and prints it on your notice.
Can CDL holders take traffic school in California?
Not for the program itself. California also lets a commercial license holder ticketed in a personal vehicle attend traffic school: the point is held back, and the conviction stays visible.
How many points does a traffic ticket carry in California?
Speeding, for example VC 22348(a); any traffic conviction involving safe operation carries one point: 1 point. Speed over 100 mph, VC 22348(b): 2 points. Other traffic conviction involving the safe operation of a motor vehicle, VC 12810(f): 1 point. Other traffic conviction involving the safe operation of a motor vehicle, VC 12810(f): 1 point. The points table on this page lists every violation the state publishes.
How long do points stay on your license in California?
Points count for 3 years in California.
Does a defensive driving course lower car insurance in California?
A voluntary course is published here for an insurance discount. Insurers set their own rates; ask yours.
Sources
Checked against these pages in .
- California Rules of Court, Rule 4.104. Procedures and eligibility criteria for attending traffic violator school (opens in a new tab)
- Traffic school, California Courts Self Help Guide (opens in a new tab)
- California Driver's Handbook, Laws and Rules of the Road (cont.), Points on Your Driver's Record and Traffic Violator School (opens in a new tab)
- California Vehicle Code section 42005 (opens in a new tab)
- California Vehicle Code section 42007 (opens in a new tab)
- California Vehicle Code section 1808.10 (opens in a new tab)
- California Driver's Handbook, Seniors and Driving, Mature Driver Program (opens in a new tab)
- Traffic School, Superior Court of California, County of Alameda (opens in a new tab)
- OL 613 (Rev. 10/2011), Outline of required topics and standards for California DMV approved traffic violator school courses (opens in a new tab)
- California Vehicle Code section 12810 (opens in a new tab)
- Negligence, California DMV (opens in a new tab)
- What is traffic school? Traffic Division, Superior Court of Los Angeles County (opens in a new tab)
- California Vehicle Code section 12810.3 (opens in a new tab)