How Online Traffic School Works in California, Step by Step
Updated July 18, 2026 · By RoadWise Traffic School, CA DMV License #E0821
The process from "I just got a ticket" to "the point never shows on my record" has seven steps, and most of them are quicker than people expect. Here's the whole sequence in order.
Step 1 — Wait for your courtesy notice
Within a few weeks of the ticket, the court mails a courtesy notice listing your fine, your due date, and — if you qualify — the traffic school option with its administrative fee. If it hasn't arrived within three weeks or so, look up your citation on the court's website; don't let the due date sneak up on you.
Step 2 — Tell the court and pay the court fees
Elect traffic school with the court (online, by mail, or in person, per the notice) and pay the fine plus the administrative fee by the due date. The court then gives you a deadline to complete the course — usually around 60–90 days.
Step 3 — Pick a DMV-licensed school
Any school on the DMV's licensed list is accepted by every California court. Verify a school before paying it — the DMV's official lookup takes under a minute. Our license is #E0821, and yes, you can look us up.
Step 4 — Register and start
Enrolling with us takes about two minutes: your basic details, your court and citation information, and the $19.99 course fee. You can start the first lesson immediately.
Step 5 — Complete the lessons at your own pace
The course is 13 lessons covering California driving law and safety, meeting the state's 340-minute instruction requirement. Progress saves automatically — do it in one day or across two weeks, on any device. Identity-verification checks are built into the course, as the DMV requires; no webcam is needed.
Step 6 — Pass the final exam
The final is 25 multiple-choice questions drawn from the course; 70% (18 correct) passes. If you don't pass, you get a second attempt after a 7-day wait — so leave a buffer before your court deadline.
Step 7 — We report to the DMV; you verify
The same day you pass, we electronically report your completion to the DMV and issue your completion receipt. Check with your court (most county courts show it online within days) that your case reflects the completion, and keep the receipt until it does. That's it — the conviction stays confidential and the point never counts.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a webcam or to visit an office?
No. The DMV requires identity verification for online courses, and ours is handled with built-in verification questions during the course — no webcam, no in-person visit.
Do I get a paper certificate?
California traffic schools report completions to the DMV electronically — there's no paper certificate to mail to the court. You get a completion receipt for your records the day you pass.
What happens if I miss the court deadline?
Contact the court immediately — before the deadline if at all possible. Courts often grant extensions when asked in advance; after the date passes, the conviction may go on your record even if you finish the course.