How to Dismiss a Traffic Ticket in California
California issues over 4 million traffic tickets per year. If you have received one, you have several options to get it dismissed. A single moving violation in California adds points to your DMV record, triggers insurance increases averaging $1,500 over 3 years, and stays on your record for 36 months.
Option 1: California Traffic School (Most Common)
California allows eligible drivers to attend traffic school to mask a traffic violation from their driving record.
Eligibility Requirements
- You hold a valid (non-commercial) California driver’s license
- The violation occurred in a non-commercial vehicle
- The offense is an infraction (not a misdemeanor)
- You have not attended traffic school for a ticket within the last 18 months
- The violation is not a 2+ point violation (reckless driving, DUI, hit-and-run)
How to Request Traffic School
- Check your ticket for the court date and courthouse
- Contact the court (or visit their website) to request traffic school
- Pay the bail amount (full fine) plus a traffic school fee ($50-$75 in most counties)
- Complete a DMV-licensed traffic school course online or in-person
- Submit your completion certificate to the court before the deadline
Cost
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Traffic ticket fine (bail) | $238-$490 (varies by violation and county) |
| Traffic school admin fee | $50-$75 |
| Online traffic school course | $19-$49 |
| Total | $307-$614 |
What You Get
- 1 point masked from your DMV record (the violation is marked “confidential”)
- Insurance companies cannot see the masked violation
- No insurance rate increase
- The violation is still visible to law enforcement and courts
See our Online Traffic School Guide for tips on choosing the best course.
Option 2: Fight Your Ticket in Court
You have the right to contest any traffic citation in California. There are two ways.
Trial by Written Declaration (CVC 40902)
You can fight your ticket by mail without appearing in court.
- Request a Trial by Written Declaration form from your court (form TR-205)
- Pay the full bail amount (refundable if you win)
- Write your defense statement and submit it with any evidence
- The officer also submits a written statement
- A judge reviews both statements and issues a ruling by mail
Officers frequently fail to submit their written declaration, resulting in an automatic dismissal. Even when they do respond, the written format often favors the defendant because you can craft a careful, detailed defense.
If you lose, you can request a new trial (Trial de Novo) for an in-person hearing. You get a second chance.
In-Person Court Hearing
- Plead “not guilty” on or before your court date
- The court schedules a trial date
- Appear in court. The officer must also appear.
- Present your defense
- Judge makes a ruling
If the citing officer does not appear at trial, the case is typically dismissed. No-show rates vary by county but can be 20-50%.
Option 3: Request a Reduction
Even if you cannot get a full dismissal, you can often negotiate a reduced fine, request a payment plan or financial hardship reduction, ask the judge to grant traffic school on a non-eligible ticket, or complete community service in lieu of fine payment.
Common California Traffic Violations and Points
| Violation | Fine Range | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding (1-15 mph over) | $238 | 1 |
| Speeding (16-25 mph over) | $367 | 1 |
| Speeding (26+ mph over) | $490+ | 2 |
| Running a red light | $490 | 1 |
| Running a stop sign | $238 | 1 |
| Cell phone use while driving | $162 (first), $285 (second) | 1 |
| Seatbelt violation | $162 | 0 |
| Reckless driving | $1,000+ | 2 |
Important Deadlines
| Action | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Respond to ticket | Before your court date (typically 60 days from citation) |
| Complete traffic school | Usually 60-90 days after court approval |
| Submit Trial by Written Declaration | Before your court date |
| Request Trial de Novo (after losing written trial) | 20 days after the mailed verdict |
How Much Will Your California Ticket Cost?
Use our True Cost Calculator to see the full cost of your ticket including insurance increases over 3 years. Most California drivers are shocked to learn a $238 speeding ticket actually costs $1,500 to $3,000.
For a detailed breakdown of California speeding ticket fines and the penalty assessment multiplier, see our California Speeding Ticket Cost Guide.
Not sure whether to take traffic school or fight your ticket? Take our 5-question Decision Quiz for a personalized recommendation.
Will Your Ticket Affect Your Insurance?
A California speeding ticket raises insurance premiums by 20-30% for 3 years. On the average California premium of $2,200 per year, that is $1,650 in additional costs. Traffic school prevents this increase entirely. Learn more in our Speeding Ticket Insurance Impact Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can I use traffic school in California?
You can use traffic school to mask a ticket once every 18 months. The violation must be an infraction, not a misdemeanor, and you cannot hold a commercial driver license at the time of the violation.
Does traffic school dismiss my ticket in California?
Traffic school masks your ticket from the public DMV record so insurance companies cannot see it. You must still pay the full fine amount plus an administrative fee. The violation remains visible to law enforcement and courts.
What is Trial by Written Declaration?
Trial by Written Declaration (CVC 40902) lets you fight a traffic ticket by mail without appearing in court. You pay the full bail amount (refundable if you win), submit a written defense, and a judge reviews both your statement and the officer’s written response. If you lose, you can request a Trial de Novo for an in-person hearing.
How much is a speeding ticket in California?
California speeding ticket fines range from $238 for 1-15 mph over the limit to $490 or more for 26+ mph over. The true cost including insurance increases averages $1,500 to $3,000 over 3 years.
Can I dismiss a ticket if I already paid it?
In most cases, paying the fine is an admission of guilt and closes the case. However, some California courts allow you to request traffic school even after payment if done within the original deadline. Contact your court directly to ask.
California Traffic Ticket Resources
- California Courts Traffic Self-Help
- California DMV Point System
- California Vehicle Code
- California Speeding Ticket Costs
- Online Defensive Driving Courses
- Should You Fight or Take Traffic School?
This guide provides general information about California traffic ticket options. This is not legal advice. Laws change regularly. Consult a licensed California attorney for specific legal questions.