By the Ticket Dismissal HQ editorial teamReviewed Oct 20, 2026Sources cited at the endNot legal advice
California’s version of ticket dismissal is traffic school (officially Traffic Violator School). If the court allows it, you pay the ticket in full plus an administrative fee, complete a DMV-licensed online course, and the conviction is kept confidential: the point is masked, it doesn’t count toward a suspension, and insurers can’t see it. You can do this once every 18 months. These guides cover eligibility, costs, points, and finding your ticket in California’s county courts.
California at a glance
- Program: Traffic Violator School (TVS), Vehicle Code §42005 and California Rules of Court rule 4.104
- Who decides: the county superior court that issued your citation (the clerk usually approves it)
- Cost: full fine (bail) + court administrative fee (about $50–$85) + course (from about $20)
- Result: conviction kept confidential; 1 point masked from your record and insurers
- Limit: once per 18 months, violation date to violation date
- Not eligible: violations worth more than 1 point, more than 25 mph over, alcohol/drug offenses, misdemeanors, equipment, seat belt and insurance tickets, and commercial vehicles
- Suspension: 4 points in 12 months, 6 in 24, or 8 in 36 (negligent operator)
Start here
- California traffic school online: eligibility, step-by-step, costs, deadlines.
- How much is a speeding ticket in California?
- California DMV point system
- California traffic ticket lookup
Our pick for California
DefensiveDriving.com Our pick for California
See site- California DMV-licensed online traffic school, video or text
- 340 minutes; start and stop anytime on phone or computer
- Completion submitted electronically as soon as you finish
- Guarantee: if your violation isn’t masked, they pay it (up to $250)
- Online since 2000; 114,000+ reviews averaging 4.7/5
We may earn a commission if you enroll through this link, at no extra cost to you. How we make money.
More California guides
- Best and cheapest online traffic school in California
- Los Angeles traffic court: pay, traffic school, trial by written declaration
- California red light tickets, including cameras
California FAQ
Does traffic school dismiss a ticket in California?
Not exactly. You still pay the fine and the conviction exists, but it’s held confidential: the point isn’t counted against you and isn’t visible to insurers.
Can I take California traffic school online?
Yes, from any DMV-licensed traffic violator school, after the court approves it.
How often can I go to traffic school in California?
Once in any 18-month period, measured from the date of the earlier violation to the date of the new one.
Do I have to go to court?
Usually not. Most courts let you request traffic school online, by phone or by mail before your due date.
Sources: California Vehicle Code §§42005, 12810, 12810.5; California Rules of Court rule 4.104; California DMV negligent operator information; county superior court traffic pages.