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Does Traffic School Remove Points in California? 2024 Guide to Driving Record Points

In California, attending traffic school does not technically “remove” points from your driving record, but it does prevent them from being added in the first place. When you complete traffic school, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) keeps the violation on your record but masks the point associated with it. While the violation is still visible to the court and law enforcement, it will not be visible to insurance companies or other entities that might check your driving record. As a result, your insurance premiums are less likely to increase, and your overall driving record remains cleaner.

However, it’s important to note that this option is typically available only for minor infractions, such as speeding or running a red light. More severe violations, like DUIs or reckless driving, are not eligible for traffic school, and the associated points will be added to your record.

Common Scenarios Where Points Would Be Added to Your Driving Record

In California, certain driving infractions automatically add points to your driving record, which can lead to increased insurance rates and potential license suspension. Here are some common scenarios that result in points being added:

    • Speeding Violations: Exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for conditions can add one point to your record.
    • Running a Red Light or Stop Sign: Failing to stop at a red light or stop sign typically adds one point.
    • Illegal U-Turns: Making an illegal U-turn or turning against traffic signals can result in one point.
  • Following Too Closely (Tailgating): Tailgating another vehicle is considered unsafe and adds one point.
  • Reckless Driving: Driving in a manner that shows disregard for the safety of others can add two points to your record.
  • DUI (Driving Under the Influence): A DUI conviction, whether for alcohol or drugs, adds two points to your record.
  • Hit-and-Run (Property Damage): Leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage adds two points.
  • Driving Without a License or with a Suspended License: Operating a vehicle without a valid or suspended driver’s license adds two points.
  • Texting While Driving: In some cases, texting while driving can add one point, significantly if it contributes to an accident.
  • Failure to Yield: Not yielding the right of way when required can result in one point on your driving record.

These scenarios represent common infractions that can impact your driving record, leading to potential fines, increased insurance premiums, and, in severe cases, license suspension.

 

How Many Points Can Be Masked by Traffic School?

In California, you are allowed to attend traffic school once every 18 months to mask a point on your driving record. If you receive multiple traffic tickets within 18 months, you can only use traffic school to prevent one of those points from appearing on your public driving record. Any additional points from other violations within that time frame will be added to your record and could affect your insurance rates and driving privileges.

 

Eligibility Requirements for Traffic School

Not all drivers or violations qualify for traffic school in California. To be eligible:

  • You must have a valid driver’s license.
  • The violation must be a moving violation eligible for traffic school, such as speeding, running a stop sign, or a red light camera ticket.
  • You must not have attended traffic school for a previous violation within the last 18 months.
  • The violation must not involve alcohol or drugs or be a misdemeanor.
  • You must get approval from the court to attend traffic school, which usually involves paying a fee.

 

Impact on Insurance Rates

One of the primary reasons to attend traffic school in California is to prevent an increase in auto insurance premiums. When points are added to your driving record, insurance companies may view you as a higher risk, often leading to higher premiums. You can avoid these points by completing traffic school and keeping your insurance rates more stable. It’s important to confirm with your insurance provider how they handle incidents where traffic school is used to mask points, as policies may vary.

 

The Process of Completing Traffic School

Once you’ve been approved to attend traffic school by the court, you must select a DMV-licensed school and complete the course by the court-mandated deadline. The course will cover safe driving practices and California traffic laws, and it typically ends with a final exam that you must pass. After completing the course, the school will submit a certificate of completion to the court on your behalf, and the court will then inform the DMV to mask the point on your driving record.

 

The Time It Takes to Get the Points Removed

In California, points added to your driving record remain for a set period before automatically removing them. For most minor violations, the points will stay on your record for three years from the date of the offense. However, more severe violations, such as a DUI or reckless driving, result in points that can remain on your record for up to ten years. It’s important to note that attending traffic school does not remove points already on your record; it only prevents new points from being added. If you have existing points, you’ll need to wait out the required period for them to be automatically removed by the California DMV.

 

How Long Will It Take to Remove Points – Based on the Amount of Points 

Removing points from your driving record in California is an automatic process the DMV handles. Here’s a breakdown of how long points typically stay on your record:

  • 1 Point Violations: Points from minor violations, such as speeding or running a stop sign, will stay on your record for three years from the date of the offense.
  • 2 Point Violations: Serious violations, including DUIs, hit-and-runs, and reckless driving, will remain on your record for up to ten years.
  • Traffic Accidents: If you’re involved in a traffic accident, the associated points will also stay on your record for three years.

Monitoring your driving record regularly is important to ensure that points are removed after the designated period. You can request a copy of your driving record from the California DMV to check the status of any points.

 

Do Points Correlate to the Fine Amount of a Ticket?

In California, the points added to your driving record do not directly correlate with the fine amount of a ticket. The point system and fine structure operate independently, though both are penalties for traffic violations.

  • Fine Amounts: The fine for a traffic violation is determined by the specific nature of the offense, the local court’s schedule of fines, and any additional penalties or fees imposed by the state. For example, speeding in a school or construction zone can result in higher fines due to the increased risk.
  • Points on Record: Points are assigned based on the severity of the violation as determined by the California DMV. For instance, a minor infraction like a rolling stop might carry a one-point penalty, while a more serious offense, such as reckless driving, will result in two points.

While fines and points are consequences of traffic violations, they serve different purposes. The fine is a monetary penalty that must be paid to the court, while points are added to your driving record and can impact your driving privileges and insurance rates over time. Accumulating too many points in a short period can lead to a suspended license, a separate penalty from the fine.

 

Conclusion

While traffic school in California doesn’t remove points from your driving record, it effectively masks them, keeping your record clean and your insurance premiums lower. Understanding the eligibility requirements and benefits of traffic school can help you make informed decisions if you receive a traffic citation. By taking the course, you can minimize a ticket’s impact and continue driving confidently.