Getting a traffic ticket in California is never fun, but the choices you make after receiving the ticket are what will change your driving record and cost for insurance. While it may seem easiest to just pay the fine and move on, that decision can come with consequences in the long term you might not expect.
The violation is added to your California DMV record if you only choose to pay the ticket and move on. That might not seem like a big deal at first but insurance companies review your driving history, and even a single moving violation can result in a noticeable premium hike.
Depending on your insurance provider, studies show that a minor traffic violation can raise your auto insurance by 20–30% for up to 3-5 years while the point is on your driving record. Over time, that adds up to a lot of extra costs for something that could have been avoided.
The smarter option would be to take traffic school. If you're eligible, taking a California DMV-licensed traffic school course is one of the best ways to prevent that ticket from becoming a long-term financial burden.
By completing traffic school, the violation is kept confidential, so it won’t show up on the version of your record that insurance companies see. That means no premium hike, no long-term penalty, and a clean slate moving forward. It’s an easy fix to save you a lot of money!
Why is online traffic school the best choice? Online traffic school offers the flexibility to take care of your ticket on your terms. It is fully online, self paces and completions are electronically submitted to the DMV and court. It’s fast, simple, and can usually be completed in just a few hours. The court will let you know if you are eligible for online traffic school and it is the best choice for protecting your driving record and wallet. Choose an online traffic school and keep your driving record clean today.
