Yo, You Got a Ticket! How to Ditch that Point with LA Traffic School (The Funny Way)
A traffic ticket in Los Angeles? Bummer, dude. It's like your car suddenly decided to cosplay as a magnet for police attention. But don't stress! You've got an escape hatch, a secret weapon: Traffic School! This isn't your grandma's boring lecture hall anymore. We're talking online, hilarious (if you choose wisely), and a one-way ticket to keeping that pesky point off your driving record so your insurance company doesn't hike your rates into the stratosphere. Think of this as your Super-Duper-LA-Ticket-Busting-Manifesto. Let's get this bread!
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| How To Sign Up For Traffic School Los Angeles |
Step 1: Are You Even Invited to the Party? (Checking Eligibility)
First things first, you gotta check if you’re eligible. Not everyone gets to skip the points! This is like checking the guest list at a VIP Hollywood club.
1.1. Check Your Court Notice (The "Courtesy" Notice)
Wait for the "Courtesy Notice" from the Los Angeles Superior Court. Yeah, they call it "courtesy," which is kinda rich when it's telling you how much dough you owe. It usually arrives a few weeks after your ticket.
Look for the magic words! This notice should clearly state if you have the option to attend Traffic Violator School (TVS). If it says "Eligible," you're in! If you tossed the notice (rookie mistake!), you can usually look up your citation on the LA Court website.
1.2. The 'No-Go' Checklist (If Any of These Are True, You're Cooked):
You've gone to traffic school for a ticket issued within the last 18 months. California keeps track, seriously. You only get one free pass every 18 months, so if you've recently used it, you're outta luck, pal.
The ticket is for a two-point violation (like reckless driving or a huge speed bomb over 25 mph of the limit). These are the really nasty ones.
The ticket involves alcohol or drugs. Definitely a no-go.
You were driving a commercial vehicle at the time.
1.3. The Golden Rule:
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If you're under 18, you need some extra paperwork and maybe a parent's signature, but the eligibility rules for the violation are mostly the same. Always double-check with the LA Court if you’re unsure—don’t just sign up for a school and hope for the best!
Step 2: Pay the Piper (Fines and Fees)
You can't just skip out on the fine because you're doing traffic school. Nope. You've gotta plead guilty and pay up before you even start the course. It’s a bummer, but it's the toll to get on the point-dismissal freeway.
2.1. The Double-Whammy Payment
You must pay the full bail amount (the original fine on the ticket). Ouch.
You must also pay a separate, non-refundable Traffic School Administrative Fee (usually around $64 in LA County). This is the court’s fee for processing your traffic school attendance. They gotta get their paper, right?
2.2. How to Throw Money at the Court
Online: This is the easiest, duh. Head over to the LA Superior Court's website and use their online payment portal. You'll need your citation number and maybe your driver's license number.
In Person or Mail: If you're old-school and like lines or stamps, you can pay at the courthouse or mail a check/money order. But seriously, it's LA—do it online.
Pro-Tip: When you pay, you are formally requesting the traffic school option. Make sure you get a receipt or confirmation that shows you chose the Traffic School option!
QuickTip: Stop and think when you learn something new.
Step 3: Pick Your Learning Adventure (Choosing a School)
Now for the fun part! You get to pick where you'll spend your court-mandated 8 hours of learning. Since you’re in LA, make it entertaining!
3.1. DMV Approval is Your Vibe Check
Crucial: The traffic school must be licensed by the California DMV. If it's not on the official list, the court won't accept it, and you'll have wasted your time and money. That would be a mega-fail.
Many people choose online schools because they're super flexible. You can log on, do a little bit, log off, grab a snack, and come back. Pajamas are mandatory for maximum comfort.
3.2. Go for the Laughs!
Since the material is... well, driving laws, you want a school that keeps it light. Search for a "Comedy Traffic School." They use jokes, funny videos, and relatable (and often hilarious) instructors to make the time fly. Laughter is the best medicine, even for a ticket.
3.3. Check the Fine Print (Money Talk)
The price of the course is separate from the court fees you already paid.
Look out for hidden fees. Some schools advertise a super low price then try to charge extra for electronic submission to the DMV (which is mandatory and should be included!). Don't get played!
Step 4: Register and Crush the Course
You've paid the court, you've picked your school. Time to sign up and get this over with!
QuickTip: Highlight useful points as you read.
4.1. The Sign-Up Flow
Go to your chosen DMV-approved school’s website.
You'll need to enter your citation number, your driver's license number, and the name of the LA County court handling your case. Make sure this info is spot-on—typos can mess up the certificate submission.
Pay the school's fee (if you haven't already).
4.2. Log In and Learn!
The course is typically broken up into several modules, sometimes with a little quiz at the end of each section.
No Timers: Many online courses don't have timers, meaning you can blast through the material as fast as you can read (or listen if they have an audio option). Just make sure you actually absorb the info, though!
Final Exam: At the very end, there's a final exam. You usually need to score a 70% or more to pass. It's usually open-book and multiple-choice, so don't sweat it. You typically get two chances, too.
Step 5: The Final Hurdle (Certificate Submission)
You finished! High five! But your job isn't quite done.
5.1. Electronic Submission Magic
The best part about DMV-approved schools in California is that the school electronically submits your completion certificate to the DMV. The DMV then reports it to the LA Court. This means less work for you, which is a win!
Verify the Submission: Most schools will email you a Completion Receipt. Keep this!
5.2. Follow Up is Key
About 7 to 10 days after you complete the course, you need to check the LA Superior Court's website. Look up your citation again.
The status should change from something like "Traffic School Option" to "Closed" or "Conviction Dismissed."
If the status hasn't changed after 30 days, contact the court's Traffic Advisory Service. Don't ghost the court!
Tip: Reread if it feels confusing.
FAQ Section:
How to find my LA County citation number? Look on your original ticket or the "Courtesy Notice" mailed to you by the court. If you lost both, you can search for it on the LA Superior Court website using your driver's license number.
How to know if I'm eligible for traffic school in LA? Check the "Courtesy Notice" from the court. If it's not clear, you can call the court's automated information line or look up your case on the official LA Court website.
How to pay my ticket and traffic school fee online? Go to the official Los Angeles Superior Court online portal. You pay the citation fine plus the separate traffic school administrative fee ($64) in one transaction while selecting the traffic school option.
How to find a DMV-approved traffic school online? The California DMV maintains an official list of all licensed Traffic Violator Schools (TVS). A quick Google search for "California DMV TVS List" will get you there, or you can check the LA Court site for a link.
How to finish the traffic school course the fastest? Choose an online school with "No Timers" and dedicate a few hours to it. Since the state mandates an 8-hour curriculum, "no timer" courses let you complete the material at your reading/comprehension speed.
How to pass the traffic school final exam? Pay attention to the quizzes and review the material. Most exams are open-book, multiple-choice, and require a 70% or better to pass. You usually get two chances!
How to get an extension on my traffic school deadline? You must request an extension before the original due date. Check the LA Superior Court website's online services or call their automated line for information on requesting an extension.
How to make sure the LA court received my certificate? Log back into the LA Superior Court website and check the status of your citation about 7-10 days after you finish the course. The status should update to show completion or "Closed."
How to know if I've been to traffic school in the last 18 months? Check your driving record or recall the date of your last traffic school completion. You must not have attended for a ticket issued within the last 18 months from the new ticket's issue date.
How to know if I should choose a comedy traffic school? If you want to be entertained, learn some helpful safety tips, and avoid the sheer boredom of a standard course, a comedy traffic school is the move. They are DMV-approved and fulfill the exact same requirement as the boring ones!
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