California Traffic School Answers

Search California FAQs

Finding help with our California FAQs is easy. Simply locate the California course you have a question about and click to view a list of well-organized Q and A's. If you can't find an answer to your California question below, you can always contact us or call us toll free at 800-691-5014. A visit to the California Department of Motor Vehicles website (http://www.ca.gov/) can also be very helpful.


    Search California FAQs
      California Online CA DMV Traffic School
        Before You Register
          I just received a ticket, what should I do?

          Wait to receive your paperwork from the court. Most courts will mail you a courtesy notice about two to three weeks after you receive a ticket. This notice will inform you of the bail amount you must pay for the ticket as well as your traffic school eligibility. Most courts will charge an administrative fee to allow you to complete traffic school in addition to the bail amount. Make sure to pay the required fees by your courts payment due date. It is important to take care of your court obligations before starting any of our programs.

          How do I know that my county or court will accept the TrafficSchool.com programs?

          TrafficSchool.com is a DMV licensed traffic violator school (TVS# E1393) and TrafficSchool.com's course in California is DMV approved and accepted by ALL counties and courts. You may contact our office at 1-800-691-5014 to verify or simply click on the following link to view our official DMV license. VIEW DMV LICENSE

          I've already paid the court money for traffic school, why do I have to pay again?

          Each court charges an additional fee to allow you to attend a traffic school or home study program. This is separate from any of our charges. If you do not pay this fee to the court, then the court will not accept your certificate of completion from us. All traffic schools including classroom, home study or Internet courses will charge separate additional fees.

          How much time do I have to complete the course once I've paid for my ticket?

          You should make every attempt to complete your online traffic school course at least a couple days before your due date. Your court will give you ample time (generally 30-90 days) to complete your traffic school, but we recommend finishing your course as soon as possible. If your due date is soon approaching, we offer a rush processing service for your certificate for an additional charge. You may request this option when you pay for your course.

          How much is the course?

          The total price for our California online traffic school course is as low as $19.95 including tax, certificate processing, shipping and handling. For an additional charge you may choose to have your certificate delivery expedited with RUSH processing.

          Is your Website secure?

          Our Website is completely secure. TrafficSchool.com uses the latest security technologies including SSL (secure socket layer) protection. Remember, we will not share your information with anyone, except with your court (or court assistance agency contracting with your court) for proper paperwork processing. Please view our privacy policy for details.

          What if I don't have my own computer?

          That's OK. You can complete our traffic school program using virtually any computer with Internet access. Take the course at your local public library, at school, a cyber café, at work (make sure this is acceptable with your employer) or at your friend's house. While this is a homestudy program, some people are on the move and use different systems. Most computers and browsers available can use TrafficSchool.com's course, but optimal performance will be achieved with the most recent versions of Google Chrome, Safari, FireFox, or Microsoft Edge. Here are links to several browsers that our course has been tested in:

          If you are using Google Chrome: please upgrade your browser at https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/.

          If you are using Microsoft Edge: please upgrade your browser at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge.

          If you are using Mozilla Firefox: please upgrade your browser at https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all.html.


          **Workbook Traffic School Alternative**

          As an alternative to taking an online traffic school program, we also have a workbook traffic school program available. The 'TrafficSchool.com - Workbook Course' will also satisfy your traffic school requirements in California. Our workbook is very similar to our online course. It is similar to a short magazine and is easy reading covering a wide range of traffic safety topics and techniques. If your job or lifestyle requires a lot of traveling, the workbook would be a great alternative to any traffic school course. You may order a workbook course online or you can call us toll-free at 1-800-691-5014 to place your order.

          What if I don't have my own e-mail address?

          We use e-mail for much of our correspondence and you'll need an e-mail address for log-in purposes. If you do not have your own e-mail address then you may use a friend's (make sure to get permission) or you can obtain free e-mail services through a number of different websites, such as www.gmail.com, www.hotmail.com, or www.mail.yahoo.com.

          gmail hotmail yahoo mail

          I'd like to take the course online, but I don't use credit cards. Can I still take the course?

          Yes. You may complete the entire online course, with the exception of the final exam, prior to paying. If you prefer, you may send us a check or money order instead of using a credit card, and once we receive it, we will give you access to the final exam. Remember that access to the final exam will not be granted until payment is received. If you prefer, you may also call us toll free at (800) 691-5014 and speak with one of our customer service representatives. They will take your payment right over the phone and give you immediate access to the final exam. TrafficSchool.com's friendly and knowledgeable customer service representatives are available on Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m to assist you. We are also available after hours by email.

          Can I take traffic school again if I've already completed a class within the past 18 months?

          California Vehicle Code states that you may only attend traffic school once every eighteen months. The eighteen months is calculated from the date you received your first citation to the date you received your next one. It is your responsibility to make sure that you qualify with the court.

          I have a commercial driver license and got a ticket. Can I take traffic school to hide the point from my driving record?

          If you hold a commercial driver license and the traffic violation occurred in a non-commercial vehicle, then you may be eligible to take traffic school. The conviction may still appear on your driving record and count as a point for the violation. However, once you have completed the traffic school course and your certificate of completion has been processed by the court with the DMV, you will need to contact the DMV Driver Safety Unit at (916) 657-6452 in order to have the point masked from your driving record. Also, the driver/student must call the DSU for clearance. Someone else cannot call on your behalf.

        Taking the Course
          How long will the course take?

          Our online traffic school course is self-paced. This means that if it takes you a little longer to read the material and answer questions, then you can take your time. We do recommend taking your time and absorbing all the material. This will make the testing process much easier and smoother for you. Remember that you will be allowed to review all course material while you are taking the quizzes and final test.

          Can I review the course material while I'm answering the test questions?

          Of course! We recommend reviewing all course material before testing. While taking each test you will be able to go through all course material specific to the questions you are answering. You have the benefit of reviewing all material before and during the answering of all questions.

          Do I have to complete the entire course all at one time?

          Not unless you want to. Our traffic school courses are completely self-paced, which means that you can finish them during one sitting or you can stop and start back up when you please. It's entirely up to you. If you have a deadline coming up and need to get it done in one day, you can. If you have several months left before your due date, then you can complete a section a week. We have built this flexibility into our courses so that you can choose exactly how much time it will take you to complete.

          How do I continue a course already in progress?

          Each time you complete one of the seven sections, your online course status will be saved. When you want to re-enter a course in progress, simply go to our homepage at www.trafficschool.com and click on the Student Login button on the navigation bar. For access to the course, you will be prompted to enter your driver's license number and email address used during registration.

          Do I need to do the entire course myself or can I get help from a friend? What if I need help?

          When registering you must accept a user agreement that states that you will complete all the course materials on your own. You may not have a friend or family member answer any course questions for you. If you are having problems understanding the material, you may e-mail us at info@trafficschool.com or you may call us toll free at 1-800-691-5014. Our friendly and knowledgeable representatives are here to assist you.

          Is it possible to fail the course?

          Whichever course you choose, whether it is online or homestudy traffic school, you must always take and pass a test. Although highly unlikely, there is the possibility of failing. In our course, you have the benefit of reviewing all material before answering of any questions. The answers to all questions are within the course material. In addition, during the quizzes and final exam, there is a study guide with course material specific to the questions you are answering. Just click on the little "Study Guide" icon in the upper right hand corner of your quiz/exam, and the Study Guide will open in another window so you can review the material while answering the questions. Most students pass on the first try so don't worry. If you are having problems understanding the material, you may e-mail us at info@trafficschool.com or you may call us toll free at (800) 691-5014 and speak to one of our friendly traffic violator school instructors. Remember: TrafficSchool.com's Money Back Guarantee - If you don't pass, you don't pay!

        When You Finish
          My due date is coming up or has passed. Can I get an extension?

          Each court has a different policy regarding extensions. You must contact your court for this information. It is best to call or write your court prior to your due date passing or as soon as you think you may not be able to finish your traffic school course on time.

          What delivery options are available for my completion certificate?

          With our standard processing, all traffic school completion certificates are submitted electronically to the court within 3 business days of your course completion. To have your certificate submitted electronically within 1 business day of your course completion, please choose rush processing.

          Is rush processing available for my traffic school completion certificate?

          Yes, TrafficSchool.com offers rush processing for your certificate if you complete your course Monday through Friday by 2pm PST (5pm EST). Your certificate of completion will be sent out the same day with rush processing. When you purchase your course or after you have completed your course, you will be able to specify if you want rush processing at that time. There is an additional fee for this service.

          How long will it take the court to process my completion once I finish the course?

          Once you complete the traffic school course we will electronically submit your certificate of completion electronically to the court within 72 business hours. Once your certificate information is retrieved by your court, they will mark it as received and electronically process your completion with the DMV so the ticket will be hidden as a point on your record. For large courts, the completion processing can take several days to weeks. The exact time frame for this process depends on each individual court, so be patient. If you have completed your course prior to your due date, you have nothing to worry about.

          I hold a commercial driver's license and I've completed traffic school, but a point is showing on my DMV record. What should I do?

          All commercial drivers must go through an extra step. Once your court has fully processed your ticket with the DMV, you will need to contact the DMV Driver Safety Unit at (916) 657-6452 in order to get the point masked from your record. Also, the driver/student must call the DSU for clearance. Someone else cannot call on your behalf.

      California Teen Drivers Education
        Before You Register
          At what age can I apply for a learner's permit?

          You need to be at least 15 ½ years old to apply for a learner's permit in the state of California.

          Can I start this drivers ed course before I am 15 ½ years old?

          If you are a high school student you can begin our online drivers ed course prior to 15 ½ years old, but remember, you can't apply for a CA learner's permit until you have turned 15 ½. It is strongly suggested that you be at least 15 years of age before starting your online course so that you will better retain the information garnished from the course material (which you will need when you take the written test at the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for your learners permit).

          How much does the course cost?

          The total price for our California drivers ed course is now only $39.00 including tax, 24-hour certificate processing, all necessary DMV certificates and shipping and handling.

          Does this course fulfill state of California Department of Motor Vehicle requirements?

          Drivers Ed Direct is a DMV licensed driving school and will be able to fulfill all DMV requirements necessary to obtain a learner's permit and driver's license.

          I want to take the online course, but I don't have or use credit cards. Can I still take your online course?

          Yes, you can take the course without using a credit card. Drivers Ed Direct allows you to complete the entire driving school course prior to paying, with the exception of the final test. Drivers Ed Direct accepts checks or money order instead of using a credit card. Remember that access to the final exam will not be granted until payment is received. If you prefer, you may also call Drivers Ed Direct toll free at (800) 728-1048 and speak with one of their customer service representatives. They will take your payment right over the phone and give you immediate access to the final exam. Drivers Ed Direct's friendly and knowledgeable customer service representatives are available on Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST to assist you.

          How long will it take me to finish the course?

          Our online drivers ed program is entirely self-paced. If you are a slower reader and it takes you a little longer to cover the material and answer questions, then you can take your time. If you are a quick study, then your pace will not be restricted. We suggest taking your time and absorbing all the material in the amount of time right for you and your learning ability. One thing is for sure; we do not put time restraints on our online programs. A time restricted course would make you spend a predestinated period of time on a lesson before allowing you to move forward.

          Is this online drivers education course approved for all states in the USA?

          Our online California Drivers Education course is only state approved for California at the time being.

          What do I do if I don't have my own e-mail address?

          Because we use e-mail for much of our correspondence, you'll definitely need an e-mail address when you login. If you don't have your own personal e-mail address then we suggest getting one using one of the many free e-mail providers. Some email providers that offer free email accounts include www.hotmail.com, www.gmail.com, and www.mail.yahoo.com.

          Is your Website secure?

          Our Website is completely secure. Both TrafficSchool.com and DriversEdDirect.com uses the latest security technologies including SSL (secure socket layer) protection. Remember, we will not share your information to anyone, except DriversEdDirect.com and the California DMV. Please view our privacy policy for details.

          What happens if I fail the drivers ed course?

          Though it is very unlikely, there is the possibility you will fail the test. Fortunately with our course, you have the advantage of reviewing all course material prior to answering any of the questions. Furthermore, the answers to all test questions are contained within the online course. Another benefit of our course is your ability to re-take the test if you don't pass on your first attempts. Having problems understanding the material? You can e-mail Drivers Ed Direct at info@driverseddirect.com or you may call toll free at (800) 728-1048.

          Can you explain the delivery options available for mailing my certificate of completion?

          Unless otherwise specified, all driver education completion certificates are shipped via First Class Mail (USPS). However, you may choose to have FedEx 2-day or FedEx Overnight shipping to expedite your certificate delivery. You will be given the option for your certificate delivery while you register for the online course.

        Taking the Course
          How do I continue my course that is already in progress?

          Every time you finish one of the sections, your course status will be saved. When you want to re-enter a course in progress, simply go to the DriversEdDirect.com login page and enter your username and password.

          When and how do I pay for the drivers ed course?

          You can pay for the course online after you have registered. You must obtain your parent or guardian's permission and have them assist you when paying for the course. If you'd like to do a free trial you can take the entire course, less the final exam, without payment. However, once you reach the final exam you will need to pay to continue the course. The final exam is required to obtain your certificate of completion. You also may pay over the phone by calling us with your credit card information, or you may send us a check or money order via mail.

          I forgot my password - can you help?

          Yes we can, simply call Drivers Ed Direct toll free at (800) 728-1048 or email info@driverseddirect.com to request your password.

          Do I need to finish the entire online course all at one time?

          It's up to you. Our online courses are self-paced, meaning you can finish them during one session or you can stop and start back up when you please. It's completely up to you. If you need to get it done in one day, go ahead. If you have several weeks or months left before you need to be done, then you can complete a section over several days or weeks. We built this flexibility into our courses so you would have the convenience to choose exactly how much time it will take you to be finished.

          Once I've paid for the course, how much time do I have to finish it?

          Take as much time as you need to complete the course, but we suggest completing your course in a timely fashion.

          Does my parent or guardian have to be present when I take the online course?

          The only responsibility of your parent or guardian concerning the online course is this: They must accept that they will supervise you completing all program testing without any outside help.

          What do I do if I need assistance answering any of the questions within the online drivers ed course?

          Just pick up the phone and call Drivers Ed Direct toll free at 800-728-1048. One of our helpful and knowledgeable representatives will assist you.

          What if I fail the final exam?

          Though it is very unlikely, there is the possibility you will fail the test. Fortunately with our course, you have the benefit of reviewing all course material prior to answering any of the questions. Also, the answers to all test questions are within the online course. Another benefit of our course is your ability to re-take the test if you don't pass on your first attempts. If you're having problems understanding the material, you can e-mail Drivers Ed Direct at info@driverseddirect.com or you may call toll free at (800) 728-1048.


    Search General Course and Tech Support FAQs
      General Questions
        Course Specifics
          What is the course like?

          Our online classes adhere to the basic outline of reading, interactive lessons and section quizzes, followed by a final exam. Each course can differ in regards to length, number of chapters, time prerequisite and final exam requirements set forth by each state.

        Disclaimer
          Information or FAQs regarding a partner Website.

          The FAQs on this page relate primarily to the TrafficSchool.com Website and courses. Please note that some or all of TrafficSchool.com's pricing, procedures, or other information may be different from that of our partner companies and their Websites and courses. For information or FAQs regarding a partner Website, please consult that Website directly.

        Payment
          How do I pay for the course?

          Unless otherwise specified, students have three payment options; with a credit card on our secure website, with a credit card over the phone with a customer service representative, or you can send a check or money order in the mail.

        Time Required
          Do I have to complete the entire course all at one time?

          Not unless you want to. Our courses are completely self-paced, which means that you can finish them during one sitting or you can stop and start back up when you please. It's entirely up to you. If you need to get it done in one day, you can. If you have several months left before you need to finish, then you can complete a section a week. Our program will always keep track of the time spent on each section when you save & log off. When re-entering your course, you will always start where you left off (rounded to the nearest minute) where you last logged off the course. We have built this flexibility into our course so that you can choose exactly how you want to complete the course.

      Technical Support
        Course Status
          Problem - I completed a section, but the 'Course Status' page is not reflecting my progress.

          Solution - If the 'Course Status' page doesn't reflect your progress throughout the course, first try clicking the Refresh or Reload button on your browser. If this doesn't work, please log off and end your connection to the Internet. Connect back on to the Internet and log back into www.trafficschool.com and click on Student Login from the navigation bar. This should refresh your online traffic school session and reflect your progress.

        Payment Issue
          Problem - I have paid for the course, but the site is not reflecting my payment and giving me access to the final exam.

          Solution -

          • If you have paid for the traffic school or drivers education course online with a credit card and your payment was accepted successfully, you will be sent a payment confirmation by email with an Order ID#. You will also be taken to a screen that will show the Order ID# on screen when payment has been accepted. If the 'Course Status' page does not reflect your payment, please log off and end your connection to the Internet. Connect back on to the Internet and log back into www.trafficschool.com and click on re-enter course from the navigation bar. This should refresh your session and reflect your payment.

          • If you have paid for your online course by telephone with a credit card, please note that final exam access is given during normal business hours and may take some time pending credit card authorization. You will receive a payment confirmation email when your credit card has been processed and you have been granted access to the final exam.

          • If you paid by check or money order through the mail, we have not received your payment yet. All mailed payments are processed on the same day received. We do not wait for checks to clear before granting access to the final exam.

          Problem - I have entered my credit card information into the payment page and clicked the submit button, but nothing is happening.

          Solution - Be Patient! Due to Internet traffic, it sometimes may take 1-2 minutes for credit card authorizations to be completed and processed. This is not unusual. Please wait until your browser screen prompts you to continue. Do not click on the payment button more than one time because your credit card may be charged for each click. TrafficSchool.com has taken the necessary steps to curb this problem from occurring, but clicking the payment button multiple times can trigger this. If the page seems to be stuck and not responding, please log off and end your connection to the Internet. Connect back on to the Internet and log back into www.trafficschool.com and click on Student Login from the navigation bar. This should refresh your session and reflect your payment. If you have paid, but not received the payment confirmation email nor your Order ID# then the payment was not accepted and you must try again.

        Re-Enter Course
          How do I continue an online course already in progress?

          When you want to re-enter a course in progress, simply go to our homepage at www.trafficschool.com and click on the Student Login button on the navigation bar. For access to the online traffic school course, you will be prompted to enter your driver's license number and email address used during registration.

          Problem - I am entering my email address into the registration page and it is telling me that my email address is invalid.

          Solution- Please make sure that you are entering a valid email address. When entering your email address be sure that you are not entering any spaces between letters. Also, do not put the letters 'www.' before your email address. You must also enter the '@' (at) symbol after your username followed by .com, .net, or .org. Lastly, some email addresses have an '_' (underscore) symbol, this is located on your keyboard to the right of the '0' (zero) key by pressing the shift key and '-' (minus) key at the same time.

          Problem - I am trying to re-enter the course, but when I enter my login information, the site says that I am not registered.

          Solution - Make sure that the URL at the top of the screen reads exactly as follows: www.trafficschool.com.

          Make sure that you originally registered with TrafficSchool.com. It is our policy to send confirmation emails to you when you register/enroll for the online course, make a payment, and complete the program. Check your email box for these confirmation emails to ensure that you have contacted the correct company. If you do not have a confirmation email from TrafficSchool.com, you have registered with another company.

          If you are positive that you have registered with TrafficSchool.com, but the login/re-enter procedure is not working, it is because you are entering either your driver's license number and/or email address different from what you originally registered with. You will need to re-enter your information exactly as you registered including all letters, numbers, expiration dates, spaces in driver's license, etc. so long as you entered it during registration. The confirmation email that is sent when you enroll will have your information listed for re-entry purposes. Please refer to this email for assistance.

          A common error when trying to re-enter your course is typing the letter 'O or o' instead of the number '0' (zero) or vice-versa for the driver's license # or e-mail address. When typing in your driver's license # or e-mail address, this re-entering function is not case sensitive (you may replace a lower case 'o' with a capitol 'O'), but it will not let you substitute a letter 'O or o' for the number zero '0'.

          I'm using an iPad/iPhone and I am having trouble logging into my course.

          Go to the Settings option on your devise. Under Settings select "Safari" and then turn OFF private browsing. After you do this return to TrafficSchool.com's Course Login. You may need to refresh the page. You should now be able to login to your course.

          iPhones and iPads with iOS7: To get to the Private browsing On/Off option, tap the new tab button (looks like a plus (+) sign), and then tap the "Private" button located in the bottom left corner of the screen. You may need to re-enter our web address (www.trafficschool.com) into this new tab with the Private browsing turned off. You should now be able to login to your course.

          To read more about how to turn off your Private Browsing, click here to visit the Apple Support page about Private Browsing.

        Web Site Security
          How secure is my information when I do transactions on TrafficSchool.com?

          We assure you that any information you send to TrafficSchool.com while you are logged into your account area of TrafficSchool.com is completely secure and private. This includes your personal information such as your email address, driver's license number and any other account information as well as any financial information, such as your credit card number or related information that you transmit to TrafficSchool.com via our web site. You can tell that you are in a secure environment when the beginning of the Internet address near the top of your browser bar changes from http:// to https:// . The 's' means that you are in a secure area of the website. Most browsers show a locked padlock graphic in the lower right corner when you are in a secure environment. However, if the padlock graphic is not present for some reason and the address begins with https, you are still in a secure area of the website.

  • Certificate Help

    Have a question about completion certificates? Check out our detailed certificate information page.

  • The Guarantee

    At TrafficSchool.com, we stand behind our 5-Star Guarantee. If you can't find an answer to your question, or you just want to talk to a real person, please call us at 800-691-5014.

    Your happiness is our priority.

  • Testimonials

    "Because the information is very clear."
    - Marcia (Fort Myers, FL)

    "Very informative...graphics were excellent and make a good break from all the text. Great info for drivers even if they did not need to attend traffic school!"
    - Richard (Los Angeles, CA)

    "Very easy to read and understand. Also, I was able to continue when I could not complete course at one session."
    - Martha (Jacksonville, FL)



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  • Traffic School Blog

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    (im)perfect driver. Keep on top of new driving laws and help keep your driving acumen as sharp as the needle on your speedometer...

    the Right Side of the Road Blog