Here's exactly how the process works from citation to completion, including how to sign up online for traffic school, the court's $55 admin fee, and the four district courts that hear traffic cases.
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 kept confidential 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.
In San Bernardino County, you complete the course through a DMV-licensed provider (like us — License E1745), and we report your completion to the court electronically. California-licensed drivers don't need to mail anything or visit the court again.
San Bernardino Superior Court decides whether you're eligible for traffic school — not us, not the DMV. Your citation or courtesy notice will say whether traffic school is an option for your case. Don't request traffic school (or pay the $55 fee) unless you've confirmed you're eligible.
If you're not sure, look up your case on the Case Access Portal (cap.sb-court.org) or call (909) 481-4228.
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 keeps that point off the public record. Your insurer won't see it, and your rate won't go up for that violation.
A commercial driver's license (CDL) doesn't disqualify you by itself — only a citation issued while you were driving a commercial vehicle is excluded. If you were cited in your personal car, you may still be eligible.
California Vehicle Code Section 1808.7 limits the DMV from masking more than one point per 18-month period, per driver, and San Bernardino Superior Court applies the same limit when it decides whether to offer you traffic school. The 18-month window runs from the date of the violation, not the date you completed traffic school.
Not sure if you're within the window? Check your DMV driving record at dmv.ca.gov before you pay the court's fee.
Once you finish the course, Freeway Traffic School notifies San Bernardino Superior Court electronically. If your driver's license is issued by California, you don't need to mail a paper certificate — the electronic notification is what the court relies on.
If your license was issued out of state, check with the courthouse assigned to your citation for exact requirements before you finish the course.
Your completion is reported electronically to the court. The court processes it and the eligible point stays off your public driving record.
The court records a conviction. The point goes on your record, and your insurer will eventually see it. You cannot retroactively use traffic school after the deadline passes.
San Bernardino Superior Court sets your completion deadline when it grants your traffic-school request — the exact date is confirmed in your request paperwork or courtesy notice. Check the Case Access Portal or call (909) 481-4228 if you're unsure of your date. If you need more time or the $55 fee is a hardship, contact your assigned courthouse before the deadline passes, or submit an ability-to-pay request through MyCitations — approval is up to the court.
If you missed your appearance date (not just the traffic school deadline), that's a different and more serious situation. See our Resources page for next steps, or contact the courthouse assigned to your citation directly — see our Court Guide for details on all four district courts.
Start free today, finish at your own pace, and pay only when you pass. No hidden fees. We report your completion electronically after you pass.
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