5 Bucks Traffic School is an online traffic school that charges a flat $5 fee and lets you complete the course on your own schedule

5 Bucks Traffic School is an online platform where you take a defensive driving course to dismiss a traffic ticket or reduce points on your driving record. The company charges $5 for the course itself, though your state or county may add processing or filing fees on top of that amount. You watch video lessons, answer questions, and take a final exam — all from your computer or phone — then the school sends your completion certificate to the court or your state's DMV.

The "$5" part is real, but it is the course fee only. When you finish, you will owe whatever your state charges to file the certificate with the court (typically $20 to $50 more) and possibly a court processing fee. Some states also require you to pay the original ticket fine separately. Read your ticket or court paperwork to see what fees explore in your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • 5 Bucks Traffic School charges $5 for the course, but your state or court will add filing and processing fees that typically range from $20 to $50.
  • You must complete the course and receive a certificate before your court important date, and you are responsible for sending it to the court or DMV yourself in some states.
  • Reddit users report mixed experiences: some say the course is straightforward and fast, while others report technical glitches, unclear instructions, or slow customer service responses.
  • Not all traffic violations are may be able to access for traffic school dismissal — your ticket, state law, and prior record all determine whether you can use it.
  • You should verify with your court or DMV that 5 Bucks Traffic School is approved in your state before enrolling, because approval varies by jurisdiction.

What Reddit users say about the course experience

On Reddit, users in r/traffic and r/driving report that 5 Bucks Traffic School is usually quick to complete — most say they finish in 30 minutes to two hours depending on how fast they move through the material. Several users praise the low cost and say the course is straightforward: watch videos, answer multiple-choice questions, pass the final exam. A few mention they appreciated being able to pause and come back later.

Complaints on Reddit center on three issues. Some users report the website is slow or crashes during the exam, forcing them to restart. Others say the customer service email takes days to respond if something goes wrong. A smaller number of users report confusion about whether their state actually accepts certificates from 5 Bucks Traffic School, saying they wish they had checked with the court first before paying.

One recurring theme: users stress that the $5 fee is misleading if you do not budget for the court's filing fee and your original ticket fine. Several Reddit threads include people surprised by the total cost when they see the court's invoice.

How to check if 5 Bucks Traffic School is approved in your state

Before you enroll, contact your court or your state's DMV to confirm that 5 Bucks Traffic School is on the approved list. Each state and sometimes each county maintains its own list of traffic schools it will accept. You can find your court's phone number on your ticket or by searching "[your county] traffic court" online.

When you call, ask: "Is 5 Bucks Traffic School approved for traffic school dismissal in this county?" Write down the answer and the name of the person who told you. If the court says no, ask which schools are approved — there are usually several options. Some courts post their approved list on their website under "traffic school" or "defensive driving."

This step takes 10 minutes and saves you the frustration of completing a course the court will not accept. Several Reddit users regret not doing this before enrolling.

What happens after you complete the course

Once you pass the final exam, 5 Bucks Traffic School generates a completion certificate. In some states, the school sends it directly to the court or DMV. In others, you receive it and must mail or deliver it yourself before your important date. Your ticket or court paperwork should say which applies to you.

Check the certificate for your name, ticket number, and course completion date. If anything is wrong, contact 5 Bucks Traffic School's customer service before submitting it — courts will reject a certificate with mismatched information. Keep a copy for your records.

After the court receives your certificate, they will dismiss the ticket or reduce the points, depending on what your state allows. This process usually takes one to three weeks. You do not need to do anything else unless the court contacts you.

When traffic school dismissal may not be an option

Not every ticket is may be able to access for traffic school. Your state law, the type of violation, and your driving history all matter. Serious violations like reckless driving, DUI, or driving with a suspended license usually cannot be dismissed through traffic school. Some states limit traffic school to one use per year or one use per three years, so if you have already used it recently, you cannot use it again.

Your ticket should say whether you are may be able to access. If it does not, call the court and ask. Do not assume you can use traffic school just because the option exists — the court will reject your certificate if you were not may be able to access to begin with, and you will lose the money you paid.

Comparing 5 Bucks Traffic School to other online options

Several other online traffic schools operate nationally or in multiple states: iDriveSafely, Defensive Driving.com, and DriversEd.com are common alternatives. Most charge between $20 and $50 for the course itself, so 5 Bucks Traffic School is cheaper on the surface. However, the total cost — course fee plus court filing fee plus your original ticket fine — is often similar across providers because the court fees do not change.

The real differences are in speed, customer service, and whether your court accepts them. Some schools let you finish in 30 minutes; others require you to spread the course over multiple days. Some have live chat support; others respond only by email. Read reviews specific to your state and court before choosing, because what works in one jurisdiction may not work in another.

Reddit users often recommend checking your court's approved list first, then picking whichever approved school has the best reviews in your state. Price is less important than making sure the court will accept it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will 5 Bucks Traffic School definitely get my ticket dismissed?

No. The school provides the course and certificate, but only your court can dismiss the ticket. You must be may be able to access under your state law, complete the course before your important date, and submit the certificate correctly. If you were not may be able to access to begin with, the court will reject the certificate even if you completed the course.

What if I fail the final exam?

Most traffic schools, including 5 Bucks, let you retake the exam at no extra cost. You will need to review the material again and pass before you can get your certificate. Check 5 Bucks Traffic School's policy on retakes when you enroll.

Can I use 5 Bucks Traffic School if I got a ticket in a different state than where I live?

Possibly, but it depends on where the ticket was issued. The court that issued the ticket decides which traffic schools it accepts, not your home state. Contact the court listed on your ticket and ask whether 5 Bucks Traffic School is approved there.

Do I have to tell my insurance company I took traffic school?

No, but you may want to. If your ticket is dismissed, it will not appear on your driving record, so your insurance company will not know about it. If the ticket stays on your record but you completed traffic school, some insurance companies offer a small discount for taking a defensive driving course — ask your agent.

What if the website crashes while I am taking the exam?

Contact 5 Bucks Traffic School's customer service when ready and explain what happened. Most schools will let you resume where you left off or retake the exam. This is why it is important to enroll well before your court important date — if technical problems happen, you have time to resolve them.