Show of hands:

Who wants to sit through hours of a dull, elementary, and almost worthless lecture? 

That’s right. 

No one. 

But hey, you don’t want that point to appear on your record, do you?

Or maybe you want that sweet insurance discount. 

Whatever the case, you might be wondering:

“Can I take online traffic school in California?”

Today, we’re answering that and a handful of other questions you may have about online traffic school in California. 

Let’s dive in.

Can You Take Traffic School Online in California?

Yes. There are hundreds of DMV-certified traffic schools in California that offer online classes and exams. 

Like traditional traffic schools, these online schools provide refresher courses that go over the basics of driving. 

After you’ve completed the exam, the school will automatically notify your court or the DMV of your completion. It takes anywhere from a day to a week for them to do this (depending on your school). 

Most of the time, you won’t need a physical traffic school certificate in California. However, you may request one from your school if your insurance provider requires it. 

Are You Eligible For Online Traffic School in California?

You may take online traffic school in California if:

You may NOT go to traffic school for:

How to Register For Online Traffic School in California

The exact registration process differs from school to school. 

But they all generally follow these steps:

And you’re in!

Easy, right?

Is Traffic School Better Online or in Person?

Online traffic school is preferable for most people since it is more convenient and allows you to study at your own pace. This enables you to finish a lot faster than in-person classes.

Since it is all online, you get to study from anywhere. Whether you prefer studying at home or in a cafe, online traffic schools let you do it. 

Some online schools also add images, videos, animations, and even games to make things more entertaining (and maybe keep you from falling asleep). 

Other than those, online traffic school is just as tedious as in-person classes. 

If anything, the only advantage of in-person traffic school is if you’re used to a classroom setting. 

Some people procrastinate when they’re at home, and it may take them a week to finish the course (when they can finish it in a day). 

So it’s all up to preference. 

How Long Does Online Traffic School Take in California?

In California online traffic schools, there are no timers (hooray!). You may study as fast or as slow as you wish. Fast students typically finish the course in 1-3 hours, while slower ones may take the whole day.

Depending on your speed, taking traffic school online can save you a lot of time. Especially since in California, in-person traffic school takes all of 8 hours. 

The fact that there are no timers is a HUGE relief. 

In some states, online traffic schools are required to put these to prevent students from skipping the lesson without studying it. 

With timers, you can’t move on to the next lesson until the timer has finished (bummer, I know). 

Quick tip: after completing traffic school, be sure to check if the DMV has waived your violation. This can take up to a week, depending on your school. 

How Much Does Online Traffic School Cost in California?

Online traffic school typically costs around $20. Some schools offer additional services - such as audio read along, instant certificate e-filing with DMV, or same-day delivery of certificate - for extra fees. 

These extra features are nice to have. But not necessary. 

The audio read along allows you to study while driving, like an audiobook. And the same-day delivery of your certificate helps you beat the deadlines. 

However, be careful!

Some traffic schools charge exorbitant fees for their extra services - especially “rush processing.”

At times, these fees are twice the price of the course itself! 

That’s why I always tell people to finish the course at least a week before they need to notify the court. 

You shouldn’t have to spend more than 20 bucks to get traffic school over with. 

What is the Easiest Online Traffic School in California?

So you want to get through traffic school as fast as possible.

I feel you. 

The good news is that online traffic schools know this as well. That’s why they all strive to make their courses as easy as possible. 

While I can’t say for sure what the easiest online traffic school in California is, I can say that all the good ones should be a breeze for you. 

Nobody wants to do traffic school. 

If an online traffic school makes it difficult for its students to pass, they won’t get any business. 

That’s why you’ll see online traffic schools advertising a 99% pass rate or a course that’s “as easy as legally possible.” 

That said, there are hundreds of outdated and downright awful online traffic schools out there. 

Their curriculum may be simple, but their platform looks like it came straight out of the 90s. 

It’s slow, looks awful, and gives you a horrible user experience. 

This brings us to:

Which Online Traffic School is the Best in California?

The best online traffic school is one that is as fast, cheap, and easy as possible. In California, keep an eye out for outdated traffic schools, as well as schools that have hefty fees. 

Not satisfied with that answer?

Check out my reviews of the top 6 online traffic schools in California. 

Just want a quick answer?

Alright. 

If you ask me, Aceable is one of the bests. 

Not only is Aceable fast, easy, and cheap, but it’s also new (no 90s vibes) and has a dedicated app for mobile users. 

You can also check out iDriveSafely, Improv, or GoToTrafficSchool. These are, in my opinion, some of the better online traffic schools for Californians. 

Conclusion

There you have it!

Not only can you take online traffic school in California, but it is also a much better option than in-person classes. 

And with all this information, you should know everything you need to know to get started. 

I know you don’t want to do this, so good luck!