Traffic School
Traffic violator school is a program that allows persons cited for certain moving violations to receive instruction in driving and traffic safety. This program will mask the conviction and remove the point count from your driving record through the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Effective January 1, 2008, Installment Agreements are available for payment of traffic school, see below for further instructions.
Fee Increase
Effective January 1, 2013, Traffic School fees will increase from $53.00 to $54.00. For more information on how your fine is determined, click here.
Commercial license Drivers
Effective January 1, 2013 Class A, B or Commercial Class C licensed drivers cited while driving a noncomercial vehicle, are eligible to attend traffic school based on existing eligibility requirements. The conviction will not be masked on the driver's record, however, no point(s) will be assessed.
Unable to pay the ticket?
If you are unable to pay the full amount for the offenses on your traffic ticket due to financial hardship, if you appear in Court you may ask the court to consider your inability to pay and reduce the fee for traffic school for the eligible offenses.
How do I find out if I’m allowed to attend Traffic School?
The clerk can authorize an 8 hour traffic violator school if the defendant is a licensed driver, the offense is an infraction pertaining to the California Vehicle Code rules of the road and equipment violations and the violation is reportable to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
You are ineligible if:
- The violation carries more than one point count with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
- The violation occurred within 18 months after the date of a previous violation in which you previously elected to attend traffic school.
- The violation is related to alcohol or drug use or possession.
- You have failed to appear by the scheduled appearance date and a civil assessment has been added and not paid.
- The violation is for speeding in excess of 25 miles over a speed limit.
- The violation occurred in a commercial vehicle.
How do I sign up and pay for Traffic School?
If the violation(s) you were cited for is traffic school eligible, you should have received a list of traffic schools enclosed with your violation information notice. Please note that you will be charged a separate fee by the traffic school you attend. If you do not receive a violation information notice or are unsure if your violation qualifies for traffic school, you may contact the Automated Information and Payment Center or visit your nearest Court and obtain that information. Click here for more information on the Automated Information and Payment Center.
Payments
Payments can be made online, by phone, in person and by mail. The Court accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and Diners Club. Diners Club is not accepted over the phone. Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and DEBIT and American Express are accepted via the automated phone system. After making payment via phone, mail or internet, you may select from the list of approved classroom or online traffic schools which was sent to you with the violation information. You may be required to present your receipt for payment to be admitted to class.
Installment Agreements are available for payment of your Traffic School bail as listed on your violation information notice. To conduct court business via online services, which includes requesting an extension, establishing a payment plan or making a payment, submitting electronic correspondence, submitting proof of correction online, reserving a court date, or setting up automatic reminders for your case(s), access My Court Portal as a guest user or create an account.
Payment methods
In person:
Payments may be made in person at any Justice Center. Click here for locations and hours.
By phone: Contact the Automated Information and Payment Center at (877) 872-2122. The automated system is available 24/7. Click here for more information on the Automated Information and Payment Center.
By mail:
Checks and money orders only. DO NOT MAIL CASH. Checks and money orders should be made payable to “Clerk of the Court”. To ensure your payment is credited to the correct case, include the case or citation number. All checks must be preprinted with the account holder's name. Mail payments to: Information Payment Center, P.O. Box 6040, Newport Beach, CA 92658-6040.
Online (internet) payment:
Traffic School online payment and enrollment criteria is listed below. To conduct court business via online services, which includes requesting an extension, establishing a payment plan or making a payment, submitting electronic correspondence, submitting proof of correction online, reserving a court date, or setting up automatic reminders for your case(s), access My Court Portal as a guest user or create an account.
- You must have your citation number; the citation cannot be past due or have previous extensions or court appearances. You will also need your OC Pay #.
- Your payment will be processed and a confirmation of payment will be available for printing.
- You may select from a list of approved classroom or online traffic schools at www.ctsi-courtnetwork.org.
Can I make installment payments for enrolling in Traffic School?
Effective January 1, 2008, Installment Agreements are available for the payment of your traffic school bail as listed on your violation information notice.
To conduct court business via online services, which includes requesting an extension, establishing a payment plan or making a payment, submitting electronic correspondence, submitting proof of correction online, reserving a court date, or setting up automatic reminders for your case(s), access My Court Portal as a guest user or create an account.
Note: Your traffic school dismissal will not be entered by the court until entire balance is paid in full. At this time, payment arrangements are not available via the internet. Click here for locations and hours.
How do I get an extension to pay or complete my traffic school?
A request for an extension to pay or a one-time extension to complete traffic school can be requested and processed through our Automated Information and Payment Center or online. You must have your OC Pay # available to utilize this service.
To conduct court business via online services, which includes requesting an extension, establishing a payment plan or making a payment, submitting electronic correspondence, submitting proof of correction online, reserving a court date, or setting up automatic reminders for your case(s), access My Court Portal as a guest user or create an account.
Where do I attend Traffic School?
You may select from a list of approved classroom or online traffic schools at www.ctsi-courtnetwork.org.
How do I obtain and submit proof of completion of attending Traffic School?
If you elect to attend a DMV approved classroom traffic school, you must submit your certificate of completion to the address provided to you or submit it to the court. Ultimately it is your responsibility to ensure the court receives your proof on or before the due date. If you elect to attend a court approved online program, your certificate of completion will be electronically transmitted to the court.