In And Out Traffic School Online

How to Remove or Mask a Traffic Ticket

Receiving a traffic citation can be frustrating. A ticket can impact your driving record and may increase your insurance rates.

Many people believe you can completely “erase” a traffic ticket from your record. In California, however, the ticket cannot be erased, but it can be masked by attending traffic school. This process keeps the violation hidden from the public and from your insurance company, helping you avoid higher premiums.

In this article, we’ll explain how traffic ticket masking works, its benefits, and the steps involved. We’ll focus specifically on California regulations and explain why this option isn’t available for every driver or every ticket.

Understanding Ticket Masking: Not Erasure, but Close

First, it’s important to understand that completing traffic school does not remove the citation entirely. The court and the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) still maintain a record of the violation.

However, under California Vehicle Code Section 1808.7, attending an approved traffic school hides the conviction from public view. This means the ticket is not accessible to insurance companies or most employers.

This “masking” prevents the point from appearing on your public driving record. As a result, it does not affect your insurance rates and may help protect job opportunities in certain fields. Being labeled a high-risk or reckless driver by an employer or insurance provider can have long-term consequences.

When a ticket remains visible, insurance carriers often review it and raise rates accordingly. Masking the ticket helps you avoid those costly increases.

Additionally, accumulating multiple points on your driver’s license—typically from unmasked tickets—can lead to license suspension. That’s why attending traffic school for eligible violations is so important. Multiple violations can increase insurance premiums and result in harsher penalties from the DMV.

Are You Eligible for Traffic School in California?

In California, you are generally eligible for traffic school if:

• You hold a valid driver’s license.
• The violation is a moving infraction, such as speeding, running a red light, or making an unsafe lane change. The violation must carry one point and be classified as an infraction under state law.
• You have not attended traffic school for another citation within the last 18 months. This rule is strictly enforced and allows only one eligible citation every 18 months to encourage safer driving habits.

Some exceptions apply. Serious violations—such as DUIs or reckless driving—do not qualify. Commercial driver’s license holders and tickets carrying two or more points are also ineligible.

Always confirm eligibility with the court handling your ticket, as the court must approve your request to attend traffic school.