How Much Is Traffic School In California?
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If you should ever speed, roll through a stop sign, or run a red light, you will be fined and receive points on your driving record. There are however options for California drivers to dismiss or minimize the financial aftermath of traffic tickets. One option available is traffic school. Taking traffic school keeps insurance rates low. So how much is traffic school in California and is it the best option after getting a ticket?
Firstly, What Exactly Is Traffic School?
Before you ask how much is traffic school in California, there are a couple of things you need to know before getting your answer and walking away. Traffic school is a driving course that reviews the rules of the road and safe driving practices. It is attended to help drivers learn from their mistakes in hope they will make better driving decisions in the future. Overall, the intention of driving school is to improve general road safety.
If you cause problems on the road or receive a traffic ticket, then this option, if available, can save your future – and even your life. We know exactly how much a carpool lane violation ticket costs in California and that if you just got one, the last thing you want to do is pay that and then now have to go to driving school. But — trust us it’s worth it if you already accepted your ticket or were found guilty. However, there are a few specific requirements in order to attend. Let’s go into a little more detail…
What Makes One Eligible For Traffic School?
In California, drivers can be eligible for traffic school if each criteria is met:
- You have a valid California driver’s license.
- The traffic ticket is for a moving violation.
- You have not attended traffic school within the last 18 months
- The infraction happened while driving a noncommercial vehicle.
Drivers are NOT eligible for traffic school if:
- The offense is related to drugs or alcohol.
- You were speeding more than 25MPH over the limit.
- The infraction requires court appearance.
- The offense is a misdemeanor.
- It is a non-moving or equipment offense such as parking or seatbelt violations.
It Can Help With Insurance
This was previously mentioned, but it’s important to remember that attending an approved traffic school will help you in many different ways. Not only will you learn a thing or two, but you’ll be able to keep your insurance rates low. The state of California allows people who have one point on their driver’s license due to a moving violation to have the point hidden from their record – IF they successfully complete and conclude their traffic school work.
It is important to also note that traffic school will conceal the points on your license but not the fine. You will still have to pay the fine and the traffic ticket will remain on your record. But, if you know how much a speeding ticket costs in California, you know that the last thing you want is a huge insurance bill on top of that.
So, How Much Does It Cost?
In order to register, you have to pay the initial fine, a traffic school fee (ranging from $20 to $45), and a state-mandated, non-refundable administrative court fee of $52. It’s important to know that, if you do choose traffic school, then you must pay the initial fine and the administrative fees before the completion of the school. Your certificate WILL be rejected should you not pay in time. If you’re thinking that is expensive, add it to the cost for having a cell phone in your hand while driving in California and you quickly realize you should try to avoid the need to go to traffic school by getting your ticket dismissed.
So Is Traffic School the Best Option?
Before going to traffic school, we recommend first to fight the traffic ticket through a process called a trial by written declaration. A trial by written declaration is fighting your traffic ticket in writing instead of appearing in court. The best part of the trial by written declaration system unlike traffic school is that if the ticket is dismissed, there will be NO points and NO fine. Furthermore, if the trial by written declaration is unsuccessful, you may still apply for a new trial or go to traffic school.
GetDismissed Service
At GetDismissed, we have experience getting traffic offenses such as speeding, red light camera, cellphone, sign violation, red light and other violations dismissed through the trial by written declaration process. Our system prepares a written defense for you. Just take a picture of your license and ticket, tell us about the circumstances, print documents and mail them to court. Get started today!
Steve has been leading the fight against traffic tickets for over 22 years and is the CEO/President of GetDismissed, a service that empowers California drivers with traffic tickets to fight back without going to court. As a thought leader and business entrepreneur, Steve has also been featured on TV, Radio, Print, and Online as a traffic ticket expert talking about such subjects as distracted driving, contesting traffic tickets, traffic ticket myths, traffic ticket tips, traffic law, and more. Steve is a published author, releasing his first book in 2011, and now has four books regarding fighting traffic tickets which can be found on Amazon. Read More…
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Photograph your ticket & license.
*If you don’t have your ticket handy, it’s okay — you can still start the process and just add it later!
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Provide info through guided questions.
*Be sure to quickly add as many notes about the stop as you can so you don’t leave out any important details!
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Sign & send your defense to court.
*We will send you a completed packet for the court that just needs your signature and a stamp!
What Types of Tickets Do We Help With?
Beyond writing articles that answer how much is traffic school in California, GetDismissed produces results in fighting all kinds of tickets. Unfortunately, this list does not include exhibition of speed citations. Your best bet in fighting one of these infractions, is to contact an attorney. An attorney can negotiate on your behalf to try and reduce fines, or even to reduce the charges to a lesser infraction which could possibly qualify for traffic school.
We do however, contest infractions revolving around speeding, red lights, red light cameras, cell phones, signs (primarily stop signs), carpool violations, U-turns, out of lane violations, and commercial violations. If you receive a citation and have questions, contact us today.
