By the Ticket Dismissal HQ editorial teamReviewed Oct 20, 2026Sources cited at the endNot legal advice
Every DMV-licensed California traffic school produces the same result: a confidential conviction and a masked point. So choosing one comes down to price, how reliably the school reports to the court, what happens if something goes wrong, and whether the format is bearable. Here’s how the main online schools compare.
Our picks
- Best overall: DefensiveDriving.com: video or text, 340 minutes, automatic electronic reporting, and a guarantee to pay your ticket (up to $250) if the violation isn’t masked.
- Cheapest we found: iDriveSafely: $19.99, DMV school E0138, free electronic reporting to the DMV and court.
- Most entertaining: IMPROV: the California-born comedy traffic school.
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.
Comparison
| School | Price | Format | Reporting | If it goes wrong |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DefensiveDriving.com | See site | Video or text; 340 min | Electronic, on completion | Pays ticket up to $250 if not masked |
| iDriveSafely | $19.99 | Text or video; 8 hrs | Electronic to DMV and court, free | Satisfaction guarantee |
| IMPROV | See site | Comedy, read or listen | Electronic | Refund before completion |
What to check before you pay
- DMV license: the school’s DMV license number should be on its site; unlicensed courses won’t be accepted.
- Court approval first: request traffic school from the court and pay its fee before you enroll.
- Your deadline vs the school’s: the court’s due date controls; some schools also expire your enrollment after a set number of days.
- Certificate copies: reporting is electronic and usually free; paper copies may cost extra and aren’t normally needed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest traffic school in California?
The lowest price we found is iDriveSafely at $19.99. Remember the court’s administrative fee (about $50–$85) is separate and the same whichever school you choose.
Is online traffic school accepted by every California court?
Yes, if the school is licensed by the California DMV and you finish by the court’s deadline.
Which California traffic school is fastest?
None legally. Each runs its approved curriculum; what differs is how quickly completion is reported.
Prices and terms from providers’ California pages at the time of writing. We may earn a commission on some links; it doesn’t affect rankings. Editorial policy.