Academy Traffic School is an online course you take after getting a traffic ticket to reduce the fine or keep points off your record
Academy Traffic School is a defensive driving course offered online in most U.S. states. You complete it after receiving a traffic citation — usually for a minor violation like speeding or running a red light — and the course can result in the ticket being dismissed or the fine being reduced. Some states also allow the course to prevent points from being added to your driving record, which matters because points can raise your insurance rates and eventually lead to license suspension.
The course itself is self-paced and typically takes 4 to 8 hours to complete, depending on your state's requirements. You watch video lessons, answer questions, and take a final exam. Once you finish and pass, you receive a certificate of completion that you send to the court or traffic authority that issued your ticket.
Whether Academy Traffic School will actually help you depends on your state, the type of violation, and whether the judge or prosecutor agrees to dismiss or reduce the charge. Not every ticket qualifies, and not every court accepts the course as a reason to dismiss a case.
Key Takeaways
- Academy Traffic School is an online defensive driving course you take after getting a traffic ticket, and completing it may result in the ticket being dismissed or reduced.
- The course takes 4 to 8 hours and is self-paced, with a final exam and certificate of completion at the end.
- Whether the course helps depends on your state's law, the type of violation, and whether the court will accept it as grounds to dismiss or reduce the charge.
- You must request permission from the court or traffic authority before enrolling, because not all violations and not all courts allow traffic school as an option.
- The course costs money — typically $20 to $50 — and you pay it upfront, separate from any fine you may still owe.
When you can use traffic school to address a ticket
Traffic school is not automatic. You cannot straightforward enroll and expect the ticket to disappear. Instead, you must first contact the court or traffic authority that issued the ticket and ask whether traffic school is an option for your violation.
Most states allow traffic school for minor moving violations — speeding, running a stop sign, improper lane change, and similar infractions. Serious violations like reckless driving, driving under the influence, or at-fault accidents usually do not may have access to. Some courts also limit traffic school to drivers who have a clean record or have not taken the course within a certain time period (often 12 to 24 months).
The court will tell you whether you are allowed to take the course and, if so, what happens if you complete it. In some places, completion means the ticket is dismissed entirely. In others, it means the fine is reduced or the points are removed from your record but the ticket itself remains on file. Ask the court specifically what outcome you can expect before you pay for the course.
How to enroll in Academy Traffic School
Once the court has approved you for traffic school, you enroll directly through Academy Traffic School's website or by phone. You will need your ticket number, driver's license number, and the court or traffic authority information. The course fee is typically $20 to $50, depending on your state, and you pay it when you register.
After enrollment, you log in and begin the course when ready. The material covers defensive driving techniques, traffic laws, and road safety. You work through it at your own pace — you can complete it in one sitting or spread it over several days, depending on the platform's rules. Most courses allow you 30 to 90 days to finish.
At the end, you take a final exam. You usually need to score at least 70 or 80 percent to pass, depending on your state. Once you pass, the system generates a certificate of completion, which you can print or read.
What to do with your certificate of completion
After you finish the course and receive your certificate, you must submit it to the court or traffic authority that issued the ticket. Do not assume the course provider will send it automatically — most require you to handle this step yourself.
Check the ticket or the court's website for instructions on where and how to submit the certificate. Some courts accept it by mail, some by email, and some require you to bring it in person. Submit it before any important date the court gave you, because missing the important date can mean the ticket is not dismissed and you lose the benefit of taking the course.
Keep a copy of the certificate for your records. If the court does not process it or there is a dispute, you will have proof that you completed the course on time.
How traffic school affects your driving record and insurance
The impact on your driving record varies by state. In some states, completing traffic school means the violation does not appear on your record at all — it is dismissed as if the ticket never happened. In other states, the violation stays on your record but no points are added. In still others, the points are added but can be removed after a certain period if you take the course.
Insurance companies use your driving record to set rates, so removing points or the violation itself can help keep your premiums from rising. However, some insurance companies may still see that you took traffic school and infer that you received a ticket, even if the violation itself is not on the record. Contact your insurance company to understand how completing the course will affect your specific policy.
If you have multiple violations or a serious accident on your record, traffic school for one ticket will not erase the rest. It addresses only the specific ticket you took the course for.
Differences between Academy Traffic School and other traffic school providers
Academy Traffic School is one of many online traffic school providers. Others include iDriveSafely, Improv, and state-specific programs. The main differences are in price, course length, and which states they serve.
Before you enroll with any provider, confirm that the court accepts certificates from that specific company. Some courts have a list of approved providers, and submitting a certificate from an unapproved provider will not result in the ticket being dismissed. Your ticket or the court's website will tell you which providers are accepted.
Price and course length are also worth comparing. Some providers charge $15 and take 4 hours; others charge $50 and take 8 hours. If the court does not specify a provider, you can choose based on cost and convenience. If the court does specify, you must use that provider.
What happens if you do not complete the course or fail the exam
If you enroll but do not finish the course before the important date, the ticket remains active and you still owe the fine. The court will not dismiss it or reduce it. You may also face additional penalties if you miss a court important date.
If you take the final exam and fail, most providers allow you to retake it at no extra cost. However, you must pass before the important date the court gave you. If you run out of time, contact the court when ready to ask for an extension — some courts will grant one if you are actively working on the course.
If you realize you cannot complete the course in time, it is better to contact the court and ask about other options than to let the important date pass. Some courts may allow you to pay the fine instead, or they may offer a payment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take traffic school if I have already paid the fine?
In most cases, no. You must request traffic school before paying the fine. Once you pay, the ticket is considered resolved and the court will not reopen it. If you have already paid, contact the court to ask whether they will refund the fine if you take traffic school, but do not expect it.
Will traffic school remove the ticket from my record completely?
It depends on your state and the court. Some states dismiss the ticket entirely, meaning it does not appear on your driving record. Others keep the ticket on file but remove the points or reduce the fine. Ask the court what will happen in your case before you enroll.
How long does it take to get the certificate after I pass the exam?
Most providers generate the certificate when ready after you pass the final exam. You can print or read it right away. Some may email it to you as well. Check the course platform to see where your certificate is located.
What if the court rejects my certificate?
Contact the court when ready and ask why. Common reasons include submitting a certificate from an unapproved provider, missing the important date, or submitting it to the wrong department. Ask the court what you need to do to fix it, and whether you can retake the course or submit a different certificate.
Can I take traffic school more than once in the same year?
Most states limit traffic school to once every 12 to 24 months. If you receive another ticket before that period ends, you will not be allowed to take the course again. Check your state's rules and ask the court about the specific timeline that applies to you.