Everything you need to know about California's Traffic Violator School program — the point system, the 18-month rule, insurance implications, and what happens if you miss the deadline in Riverside County.
When you get a minor traffic ticket in California, a point typically gets added to your DMV driving record. Insurance companies check your record and use those points to raise your rates — sometimes significantly. Traffic Violator School (TVS) is a state program that lets eligible drivers complete an approved course to have that point "masked" from their public record.
The violation still happened. It still exists on a confidential record. But it won't show on the record your insurance company can see, which means no rate increase for that ticket. That's the whole point of traffic school — no pun intended.
In Riverside County, you complete the course through a DMV-licensed provider (like us — License E1745), and we file your completion directly to the court. You don't mail anything or visit the court again.
Riverside County Superior Court decides whether you're eligible for traffic school — not us, not the DMV. Either your citation will show you're pre-approved (with a traffic school bail amount listed), or you'll need to request permission from the court directly.
If you're not sure, check your ticket or call the court at (951) 777-3147, Mon–Fri 7:30am–2:00pm.
California uses a point system to track driving history. Points accumulate over time and trigger DMV actions — and insurance rate increases — at specific thresholds.
| Violation Type | Points Added | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Minor infraction | 1 point | Speeding, running a red light, failure to yield |
| Major violation | 2 points | DUI, reckless driving, hit-and-run |
| At-fault accident | 1 point | Collision where you're found at fault |
Accumulate too many points and the DMV steps in:
Traffic school keeps that 1-point minor infraction off the count — which matters a lot if you already have points on your record.
Your insurance company doesn't see your confidential DMV record, but they do see the public portion — which is where points from tickets show up. A single 1-point violation can increase your insurance premium by 20–40% or more depending on your insurer and your history.
Traffic school masks that point from the public record. Your insurer won't see it, and your rate won't go up for that violation. That can be worth far more than the course payment in many cases.
You can't use traffic school to mask two different points that occurred within an 18-month window. California Vehicle Code Section 1808.7 limits the DMV from masking more than one point per 18-month period, per driver.
The 18-month window is calculated from the date of the violation, not the date you completed traffic school. So if you had a ticket in March and attended traffic school for it, and then get another ticket in September of the same year, you're not eligible for traffic school on that second ticket — even if you completed school for the first one months ago.
If you're not sure whether you're within the 18-month window, check your DMV driving record at dmv.ca.gov before registering.
Your completion is filed electronically the same day. The court processes it and the point is masked from your public driving record. Done.
The court records a conviction. The point goes on your record. Your insurer will eventually see it. You cannot retroactively use traffic school after the deadline passes.
Your deadline is 60 days from your appearance date. If you can't finish in time, Riverside County allows one 60-day extension. Request it online at riverside.epay-it.com, by calling (951) 222-0384, or by mail.
Extensions beyond 60 days must be submitted in writing — via eSubmit, mail, or email — for review by a judicial officer.
If you missed your appearance date (not just the traffic school deadline), that's a different and more serious situation. The court may issue a Failure to Appear (FTA), which adds a $100 civil assessment and can lead to a hold on your license. See our Resources page for next steps, or contact the court directly at (951) 777-3147.
Start free today, finish at your own pace, and pay only when you pass. No hidden fees. We file your completion the same day you're done.
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