California
California traffic school and trial by written declaration
Two levers most states don't have: an 8-hour course that keeps the ticket out of your point math (and away from your insurer), and a trial you can run entirely by mail. Which one is yours depends on the ticket.
Verified against: CA Courts · CA DMV · CA Legislature
California · verdict machine
Question 1
Were you driving a commercial vehicle when you got the ticket?
- Most moving violations are 1 point; DUI, reckless, hit-and-run, and driving suspended are 2. Veh. Code § 12810single source · verify
- Negligent-operator trouble starts at 4 points in 12 months, 6 in 24, or 8 in 36 for regular licenses. § 12810.5
- Traffic school eligibility: 1-point tickets only, not more than 25 mph over, once per 18 months, not in a commercial vehicle. Rule 4.104
- Traffic school never reduces the fine. Full bail + admin fee + course fee; what you buy is the masking, not a discount. Veh. Code § 42007.1
- The completion deadline is set by your court, not the state. Treat the date on your court's paperwork as law.
- Verify any school against the DMV's license lookup before paying; unlicensed course mills exist. DMV TVS licensing
Your courtesy notice names your court; the state self-help center covers procedures, and the DMV lookup verifies schools.
Cal. Veh. Code §§ 41501, 42005, 42007.1, 40902, 12810, 12810.5 · Cal. Rules of Court 4.104 · California Courts self-help · CA DMV occupational licensing. Linked inline; single-source claims chipped.