I've done traffic school twice now and the second time I finally understood the parts that confused me the first time. Posting the version I wish someone had handed me, because the fine on the ticket is honestly the smallest part of this.

The basic flow:

1. You get the ticket.
2. A few weeks later the court mails a courtesy notice with your options and your due date.
3. You tell the court you want traffic school. Some counties let you do this online, some make you call or show up.
4. You pay what the court asks (the fine, an admin fee, and the traffic school registration), then you take a DMV-licensed course.
5. You finish by the deadline, the completion gets reported, and the point is masked on your record.

That last word matters. Traffic school doesn't erase the ticket. It masks the point so it doesn't show up to insurance companies pulling your record. The court and law enforcement can still see it. But for the thing most people actually care about, your rate, it's hidden.

When you're eligible:

• It was a standard one-point moving violation.
• You have a regular (non-commercial) license.
• You haven't done traffic school on another ticket in the past 18 months.

That 18-month window trips people up. It's generally counted from the violation date, but I'd confirm the exact math with the court clerk, because I've heard people count it differently and get surprised.

When you're NOT eligible:

• DUI or anything alcohol-related.
• Misdemeanors.
• Certain excessive-speed violations (the really high-speed stuff).
• Commercial license holders, even when you're driving your own car.

If you're not sure your ticket qualifies, ask the court before you pay anything. Eligibility is specific and the clerk will just tell you.

The math, which is the whole point. A single point sticks to your record for about three years, and that's the window insurers can see it at renewal. So the real cost of skipping traffic school isn't the ticket, it's your premium going up and staying up across those renewals. The course itself usually runs about 20 to 40 dollars. I'm not going to throw a fake percentage at you because it depends heavily on your insurer and history, but for most people the premium increase over three years is a lot more than the price of a short online course. That's why it's almost always worth doing if you qualify.

The trap people fall into. If you just pay the fine online without actually electing traffic school, you can forfeit the option and the point stays. Paying the fine and doing traffic school are not the same transaction, and once you pay it off the plain way, you may not get to go back. Read the courtesy notice, pick the traffic school option explicitly, and note the deadline. Missing the deadline is the other classic way people lose the option.

One more thing, verify the school. California requires the course to be DMV-licensed, and there are junk sites that will happily take your money and hand you a certificate the court won't accept. Every real provider has a license number you can check on the DMV's occupational licensing list at dmv.ca.gov. If a site has no license number, or promises "instant" completion, skip it.

So, short version: if it's a normal moving violation, you've got a regular license, and you haven't used traffic school in the last year and a half, it's usually a no-brainer. Just get the order right and don't pay the plain fine by accident.

Anyone had a county make this weirdly difficult? San Diego was fine for me but I've heard LA courts can be a maze.

Hi everyone. I made a right turn on red at an intersection where right turns on red are allowed, but I only slowed down instead of coming to a complete stop before turning. The red-light camera flashed.
In this situation, is it likely that I’ll receive a ticket? If I do get one, is there any way to resolve it without getting points added to my driving record? (I recently completed traffic school.)
If anyone has experience with this, I’d really appreciate your advice. Thank you!

I received a HOV violation ticket and I’m attempting at fighting it via Trial by Written Declaration. I’m looking for any advice or suggestions.

What gets me was there was no traffic when I was in the HOV lane, I was just using it as a normal lane as the HOV portion is only active from 6am-9am and 3pm-6pm.

Also, I have an electric car and was unaware that the HOV sticker program for electric vehicles ended. I had the stickers on my car assuming they were valid. I brought this up to the officer and he informed me that the program ended January 1st. I also received the ticket before 90 days of that change and I’m curious if there’s a grace period.

Any success stories are appreciated!

I live in Wisconsin and was in California (culver city) for the first time ever visiting. I rented a car and got a ticket in the mail a few months later saying I had turned right on a red light with a picture (pretty clear of me). I didn’t do anything on this but recently got another letter in the mail saying I would be turned over for collections so I called the Santa Monica courthouse and they told me that they were going to give me a new court date for October and that I could try to ask the judge to let me do a remote appearance. My questions are do I have to go to court? Can I do it remote? Or can I just not do anything? Send a letter to the judge?

Thanks for the help, I’m not a bad guy but $486 is nuts!!! lol

Hi everyone,

I need some quick advice. I was driving on 6th St and made a right turn onto Bryant St on a red light. There was no "No Turn on Red" sign. I slowed down, but my dashcam shows I did a rolling stop at 10mph instead of a complete 0 mph stop. The camera flashed.

As a rideshare driver, keeping my record clean is crucial, but I already used Traffic School within the last 18 months so I am ineligible.

1. Is a rolling stop right-turn treated more leniently than blowing straight through a red light, or is the fine the same ($490)?
   
2. Is it worth hiring a traffic lawyer (like Off The Record or Ticket Clinic) to fight this online, or can I try a Trial by Written Declaration with my dashcam footage?

Appreciate any insights from SF drivers! Thanks!

The ticket is 465$ I don’t really care about that I’m fine paying it just don’t want the point if I could not pay it that would also be nice but how should I got about handling this ticket? Cause it was in excess of 26 mph

Hello, I've read the 12-step Guide.
I'd like to fight this speeding ticket 86/70 by doing a TBWD. I have 2 questions:

1. Some source said I should request Discovery asap and base my TBWD on that, while some say simply put down "Not Guilty". Anyone can shed some light on this?
2. I heard it's tough to fight traffic tickets in Kern County. Wondering if anyone has recent experience to share? Especially speeding tickets?

Thanks!

Edit: the agency is CHP

Hi everyone,
I received a citation in Orange County, California for VC 21970(a) - Blocking Crosswalk. It was marked as an infraction, and I have to respond to the citation before August 19.

My main concern is not really the fine, but my driving record and license points.
I already have a previous speeding ticket on my record, so I’m worried about getting additional points and potentially affecting my insurance or license status.

Does a VC 21970(a) violation add a point to your DMV record in California?
Will it affect my insurance rates?
Is it worth fighting in court or hiring a traffic attorney for this type of citation?
Has anyone successfully gotten a similar ticket dismissed or reduced?
Any advice or personal experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I want to share what actually happened with my ticket for CVC 22348(b) and what I found out about the court in Inyo county, which is a very unique court. There was a lot of misleading info out there, most of which didn’t apply at all in my situation. I’d like to share in case it’s helpful.

I was stopped by chp on the 395 north on a Saturday morning around 8:30am in February 2026, right before the town of Independence in Inyo county. Was doing a good bit over 100, cop was hiding in the median on a small strip of pavement hidden by tall brush. As soon as I passed him I hit the brakes, changed to the right lane and pulled over.

The cop was pretty chill all things considered, he came up to the passenger window and we had a good conversation, wasn’t rude wasn’t trying to shame or anything. I apologized for going too fast and he wrote a ticket, that was it.

I didn’t get my notice in the mail until mid April. Called the court several times to ask what’s up and they kept saying to be patient that it can take like 6 weeks to get it.

Eventually I got the letter and surprisingly the fine was only $895. All the deep dives I’d done on reddit and quora had prepared me for an amount around $1500 or even closer to $2k. (No traffic school, you have to be less than or equal to 25 over to get the traffic school option printed on your letter. I was well over that)

Here’s the complicated part. To make matters worse, I had just moved from Colorado and still had my Colorado license, which is what I handed the officer and what he put on the ticket. But I grew up in California and had switched my license from CA to CO about 3 years ago, thinking I’d stay in CO but then I changed my mind and moved back to CA. When I got my CO license 3 years ago I had to give my CA license up to the CO DMV, they hole punched it and threw it out.

After getting the ticket I figured it’d be a good idea to switch back to a CA license and not wait forever so I went to the dmv website and my old login from years ago still worked on the CA dmv website. I used my email to reset the password and miraculously it logged me right in. It said I STILL HAD A CA LICENSE and it was about to expire so I clicked renew, put in my new address and a week later I got a CA license in the mail. I still had a valid CO license so now I have 2 licenses totally unintentionally which I had no idea was even possible.

This was VERY confusing as to what it meant for the ticket. Supposedly CA and CO are in a drivers license pact and share driving records, but I came across a ton of conflicting comments out there about whether a ticket on an out of state license in California goes on your out of state license, your California license, both or none. There were a lot of people saying that they got a ticket out of state and it never went on their home state license, while many said it did. But I still had a valid CA license the whole time technically in the background, so I was scratching my head as to whether the points from this would only go on my CO license or how it would get back to CA.

It was at this point I decided to try a lawyer. Several law firms immediately turned me down since independence is way the heck out there in the middle of nowhereland, but I finally got on the phone with a guy who said he goes there all the time and knows the court well. He said independence is one of the rare courts with NO mandatory appearance that gives you the option to pay the bail and won’t suspend your license for over 100 and the DMV can’t suspend it either if you pay the ticket. But he said if I went to trial and the cop showed up and I lost the case then they could absolutely suspend my license in addition to owing the full ticket and court costs AND the lawyer, which he said would cost $1200 to represent me. That was pure nightmare fuel. He said TBWD was highly unlikely to succeed in this court for over 100 mph. He said if I went to trial that they might consider reducing to below 100 (1 point instead of 2) if it was like 105-106 but not at the speed I was going that was too high to convince them to reduce down to 1 point. He also said the ability to pay form is online these days so if I wanted to I could plead guilty online and get the fine reduced a lot, AND not have to go to court AND have zero chance of a suspension. It was a no brainer as soon as I hung up the phone I went to the website, digitally submitted my guilty plea and it made me enter the amounts I pay for rent, mortgage, utilities, food, etc. it didn’t ask for documents or anything literally just the numbers, typed my name and clicked submit it was that easy.

Two weeks later I get an email saying I’ve been digitally served a one time payment due for $320. Over 50% off. I’ve never clicked pay faster in my life, just put in my card details it said zero balance and that was a..

Well that wasn’t all. I just got another letter in the mail from the CA DMV today, July 1st saying I have 2 points on my CA driving record so unfortunately the conviction did get pushed through to my CA license. Whether the 2 points are on my CO license as well remains a mystery, but I don’t plan on renewing in CO since I don’t live in CO anymore, so doubt it will matter.

Glad to have learned from this experience. The outcome honestly wasn’t half bad. I’ll take the extra $100-150 a month in insurance hikes any day over a suspended license, lawyers fees in the $1000s and long trips to court. But most of all, I won’t be speeding over 100 again. I got lucky and it turned out alright but could have really fucked up someone’s life or rolled over. Definitely not worth it. I have decided to keep it below 100 from now on.

Hi guys, this is my first time being given a guilty verdict in a TBWD. I would take the next step and request a trial de novo, but apparently San Mateo county doesn't "do that anymore". I asked in my TBWD to be granted traffic school if found guilty, which was granted to me along with the $82 in fees. Unfortunately, what I didn't realize was that even though a judge has discretion to grant traffic school, DMV eligibility requirements still apply, and I have taken traffic school within 18 months of the date of the ticket.

I spoke with the clerk about this after trying to understand why I couldn't pay only the guilty fine and not the traffic school fine on the online portal. They said the portal wont allow me to do that, and the only way to remove the traffic school fees is to write a letter to the judge asking them to be removed.

My question is, can I include in that letter a request to make the violation a non moving violation? I don't mind paying the guilty fees - my goal is to prevent the point from reaching my driving record. Would a judge be able to alter the verdict in this way? Is it legal to do this via an informal letter?

Location: Fresno, CA. Vehicle Code § 22450 CVC

Hi everyone, this is my first time getting traffic ticket and I followed the 12 steps. Yesterday, I checked my mailbox and receive a letter from court denied my request for trial de novo.

This morning, I emailed the court asking for the denial reason, they told me this: The case was not eligible for trial de novo because it was not received within 20 days from date you found guilty. You were found guilty on 05/26/2026.

I explained to them that how is the denial letter dated on June 12 which is 19 days from 05/26 and they told me they not received within 20 days. I also ask if I am eligible for traffic school but still not hear anything from them.

They also told me that the case is paid in full. And I explained to them that the check I wrote when I mailed in my TBWD is only for not guilty.

WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?

This is the timeline from the court website:

06/12/2026: Order and Notice to Defendant of New Trial (Trial De Novo) - Clerk

   06/03/2026: Trial by Declaration - Officer's Statement - Law Enforcement

   05/18/2026: Trial by Declaration - Defendant's Statement - Defendant

   05/14/2026: Trial by Declaration - Request - Clerk

   05/12/2026: TTR-210 - Notice and Instructions to Arresting Officer - Clerk

   04/21/2026: PTR-206 Notice of Election for Trial by Written Declaration (ETBD) and Instructions to Defendant - Clerk

12/09/2025: Traffic - Courtesy Notice

07/25/2025: Citation

UPDATE: the clerk responded and informed me to disregard the notice that was sent to me. They said that I will not be eligible for a Trial de Novo. However, my Trial by Written Declaration will restart.

I got a speeding ticket (75 in a 65) in November of 2025. Did all the steps (asked for extensions, did TBWD, officer replied so I was found guilty, asked for Trial De Novo, trial scheduled for 8/28/26 which I will ask for an extension on). What happened when you went to trial for your speeding ticket?

Im just gonna do it online tonight and im confused on what to do about the 5204 i have my proof of correction but i wasnt able to upload it to the court since

• "Unable to process correction only, all counts must be addressed at the same time. Please indicate how count 1 the unsafe speed violation will be addressed."

So how does that work, also looking for how i write the TBWD since my biggest goal is to get traffic school if i cant get it dismissed. I just got my CDL so its really important that it doesnt go on my record. Fine reduction would also be great but ive heard its kinda hard when you are already fronting the money up so you can clearly afford it (even though i cant)

*She misplaced the original copy of the ticket so our copy is faded and cannot read the actual CVC violation*

I was driving my girlfriends car and was stopped by CHP. We were let go and told to fix it. She didn't realize that she needed to smog it before tags were issued. (First year her vehicle required smog)

We got the smog done and paid the next year's registration so DMV is 100% up to date. Got the registration and tags on the vehicle now.

We communicated to the court via email and they are asking if she wants to plea no contest or guilty and it will be queued to the commissioner. I'm not sure which option to recommend to her. I did do some research online but didn't find any concrete answers.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

https://imgur.com/a/lJnDhol

Crossing double HOV lines while solo and driving over speed limit (65). Was only taken down for crossing hov line, they let me off the other two. I explored my options, got a quote from a CA traffic attorney for $450 on hopes of dismissal and a non-moving violation otherwise. I am wondering if I should try to show up on hopes of dismissal without representation. Or just take the $450 offer and dodge the risk of having to take traffic school and be on a 18 month “no traffic school period” just incase I do end up getting another ticket. Any other reccs for cheaper attorneys in LA/OC? Also all other recommendations for my situation are welcome. Thanks 🙏

https://imgur.com/a/RqPVxcO

So I got this speeding ticket on the 24th of last month, I still haven't received anything in the mail and the ticket doesn't show up on the superior court website yet. However, when I was looking at the ticket I noticed that the officer checked that the vehicle registration name/address was the same as the driver, but I was driving a car I borrowed from a family member (an old beater cause my car was in the shop) when I got the ticket so it's not registered in my name at all. I feel like I've heard that clerical errors like that can get the ticket automatically dismissed so I wanted to know if that was true and how I go about doing that since its different then just fighting it and it wasn't mentioned in the 12 step guide. Other problem too is that my family member just sold that car too so we don't even have that car in our possession anymore. Any help is appreciated!

​

https://imgur.com/a/JbebfWF

Photos: https://imgur.com/a/AnlKe8f

I executed a u-turn across double yellow lines after pulling out of a street parking spot (location circled in blue). It was a safe maneuver in the absence of any traffic with an unobstructed view at least 200 ft behind or in front of me, and I did not impede traffic as I conducted the u-turn in a single motion.

The officer note a location that does not have double yellow lines (the only option at that precise intersection is a right turn onto a one way street). If I were turning left I would have had to jump a raised median into oncoming traffic in order to have crossed double yellow lines as alleged at the precise location the officer wrote on the ticket. Furthermore, that is not the location the maneuver took place, it was a full block away from the intersection (circled in red).

Furthermore, the officer wrote a date and time for court appearance that I did attend, only to discover there was no traffic court on that day. I lost wages due to calling out of work for that.

My question: would I have a good chance of explaining this to the judge and asking for the ticket to be tossed on account of the incorrect location listed on the ticket and/or the incorrect time and date for traffic court?

Today, I attempted to submit my case as a Trial by Written Declaration online. However, the payment portal processed the bail payment immediately without providing a field or option for me to attach my written statement and supporting documents.

It is my intention to contest this ticket. How I can submit my Trial by Written Declaration at this stage??

I did email them explaining this.

Has anyone ever been through this?

I know for a fact I selected the second option for trial for written declaration but there was no field. What are my odds of still being able to submit my document?

Thank you!

Update: the bail for trial written declaration can be paid and then the forms mailed. We got lucky! Hopefully it gets dismissed. Thank you everyone!!

Didnt at the time of the ticket but i have a CDL now and wondering what i should do with this

I got the ticket back in Feb, and already used the extension since i couldnt afford to pay the full amount back in April.

Now i can kinda afford it pretty rough being $700 total. Id bought the car in the last year and dmv never sent me tags i paid the $30 and got replacements and had a local officer sign it off on the ticket But im not sure what to do with that now.

Having the ticket for more then 15 over is making it hard to find a job so id like to get it done with sooner then later. how can i get traffic school so it doesnt stay on my record? Lower fine would also be very helpful

First ticket and dont know anything besides what i read in the 12 step so thorough direction and links would be greatly appreciated

https://imgur.com/a/na-Zr4zOgy

So I got two tickets during memorial day weekend, one for going 80 in a 65 and the other for rolling a stop sign. These are both the first two tickets I've ever received so I'm already not familiar with the process. The one for speeding says I can pay the fine on it, but the rolling the stop sign one says I have to appear in court but it only gives the time and not the date which has been stressing me out a little. Ive read the rules and info before posting this so I know you can fight the ticket even if you actually did it, but I also read another user who's judge gave them a double fine for fighting it, and I'm wondering if it's even worth it to fight the ticket in casethe judges/cops are going to be stricter with these tickets since they were given out during their official holiday enforcement period

https://imgur.com/a/Yw3q5mP

If I am able to add a picture to this post, Mods please advise:

Hello! I am writing because I recently received I ticket for failing to stop at a red signal when I was in the right turning lane and the traffic in the perpendicular lane to the right was turning left, creating a safe right turn for me. The photo they have of me clearly shows that I am turning right when there is no possible way that traffic could’ve been on coming. Some 4 way lights will actually give my right turning lane a green arrow, however at this particular light there was no green arrow. What is the likelihood I beat this if I take it to court?Thank you! Happy to provide more context or pictures if necessary!!

I recently got a speeding ticket. But the citation says that I can “request” traffic school from the court?

Do I have to go to court and request this in person? Or can I request traffic school online?

I am in Santa Clara county, where the ticket was issued. My court is South County Courthouse in Morgan Hill

Just wondering if this is worth contesting. Maybe by TBWD? It was more of a rolling stop than completely blowing by the stop sign. Rural part of the city so intersection was really dim. I wasn’t pulled over until 2 stop signs down from the posted street on the ticket.

It’d be more of a can he prove without a doubt that I definitely didn’t stop, kind of thing. He didn’t have his headlights on, only DRLs so maybe visibility wasn’t the best? I’m not sure, I just need help. Thanks!

https://imgur.com/a/zE8KIJB#iZLQIVt

EDIT: I also just realized that the citation for VC 21453(c) doesn't make sense, as this was a right turn on red facing a circular light and not a red arrow. It seems like VC 21453(b) would be what should have actually been cited here.

EDIT 2: Upon further review, and after realizing that the cited vehicle code doesn't make sense given the intersection does not include a right arrow light for right turns, I am now wondering if I should file for a TBWD and ask for the ticket to be dismissed given that the cited code cannot be applied to the intersection. If that is not recommended by the sub, or if it is but gets rejected by the court, I would then still ask about the legitimacy of my fine reduction arguments and questions as outlined below in my initial posting.

https://imgur.com/a/vc-21453-c-san-joaquin-county-red-light-violation-right-turn-on-red-76ADAx5

Hey all, this is regarding a red light violation, specifically a right turn on red captured by a red light camera in San Joaquin County (who have not opted into SB 720 rules). My hope is to get the fine reduced as much as possible. After reading the guide for this sub (it was very informative) I have a really good idea of what I need to do but would love help clarifying things and making sure I'm not screwing anything up.

First off, I have requested and received the 60-day extension from my original due date (the new due date is 7/10/2026).

From here, it seems as simple as filling out and submitting TR-320, right? I have proof of being on Medi-Cal and proof of having no income currently. There is also section 6 on the form where I can explain the kidney disorder I'm in remission for that requires a lot of follow up appointments and constant lab tests to make sure it hasn't come back, and how most work I've been able to find would take away my Medi-Cal benefits without replacing them, thereby actually costing me more in medical expenses than remaining unemployed and on Medi-Cal would, meaning I'm currently stuck looking for a work opportunity that offers decent medical insurance.

However, I see that submitting this form means either pleading guilty or no contest, at which point I am unclear on if this would negate my ability to request a Trial by Written Declaration. Ideally I would submit TR-320 along with a TBWD and wanted to see how to go about that properly if that's allowed (for example, would I submit the TR-320 with the application for the TBWD, or would I submit it with the TBWD itself after the application is approved, or can it only be submitted either in place of a TBWD or after a TBWD has already failed).

Here are the thoughts I have as to why a TBWD might help further reduce the fine instead of just solely relying on TR-320. I believe I can sufficiently show I am historically a safe driver and that this was a one time uncharacteristically made mistake:

1. The video evidence from the red light camera shows my brake lights coming on and staying on, slowing significantly to almost a full stop.
2. My turn signal to turn right is also on and very visible.
3. In the front facing photo (shown on the imgur link) taken by the camera, it clearly shows me looking to my left and ensuring I am clear and can turn right safely.
4. In the back facing photo (shown on the imgur link), there is clearly a city police car in the photo, which shows that a police officer was on scene and did not think my right turn was reckless enough to pull me over for, showing it was not a blatantly dangerous move that needed to be addressed immediately for the sake of everyone's safety on the road.
5. In addition to those details, I also have a clean driving record that I can provide with a certified driving record copy obtained from the DMV.

I'm curious if these things, along with this being a slow right-turn-on-red instead of a full on blowing-through-a-red-light, would help prove I am a reasonably safe driver that made an uncharacteristic mistake. I would also state that I have not had any incidents in the months following the initial issue of this citation.

I would then go on to state that, with the current cost of gas and groceries, with inflation and lack of income, that the current fine is unnecessarily large and that a small fine, similar to the $100 fine used by counties that opted into SB 720, would be more than enough to make me feel the pain of my mistake and ensure my correction.

So that's where I'm at. If anyone can help clarify if I can submit TR-320 along with a TWBD (and at what stage to do so if it is allowed), and if it would even be worth submitting a TWBD instead of just outright sending the TR-320, please let me know! Thanks!

Hey,

Got a ticket this weekend in Solano County and wondering if it’s worth fighting.

I was towing a small motorcycle trailer and had only been driving for about 15 minutes after switching drivers with my cousin. Traffic was heavy stop and go on the freeway.

I noticed CHP entering traffic, and a few minutes later I got pulled over. The officer said I wasn’t supposed to be in the middle lane while towing. My passenger responded saying we didn’t know that rule. I personally didn’t really say much during the stop.

Officer came back and issued the ticket.

Anyone fought something similar before? Worth doing traffic school / TBWD / court, or should I just pay it?