What Done Today traffic school means
Done Today traffic school refers to traffic school programs you can complete in a single session, usually online or in person, rather than spread across multiple days or weeks. The name describes the speed of completion, not a specific brand or court-approved program — different traffic schools use similar language to market same-day options.
These programs exist because courts in most states allow you to reduce a traffic ticket's impact on your driving record by completing an approved traffic school course. A Done Today program compresses that course into hours instead of days, which appeals to people who want to resolve the ticket quickly. However, the court that issued your ticket — not the traffic school — decides whether you're allowed to take traffic school at all, and which schools it accepts.
The actual benefit is the same whether you finish in one day or five: if the court approves your completion certificate, the ticket may not appear on your driving record, and your insurance company may not see it. That said, you still pay the ticket fine in most cases — traffic school reduces the record impact, not the cost.
Key Takeaways
- Done Today traffic school is any program you complete in one session, but your court must approve the specific school before you enroll.
- Completing traffic school does not erase the fine you owe; it typically prevents the ticket from appearing on your driving record.
- Not all tickets may have access to for traffic school — serious violations, commercial licenses, and repeat offenses often do not.
- You must contact your court or check your ticket paperwork to learn which traffic schools it accepts and whether you're allowed to attend.
- Online Done Today programs usually take 4 to 8 hours to complete and cost between $20 and $50, though prices vary by state and school.
How Done Today programs work in practice
When you enroll in a Done Today traffic school, you log in to an online platform (or arrive at a physical location) and work through video lessons, quizzes, and sometimes a final exam. The course covers traffic laws, safe driving practices, and accident prevention — the exact content varies by state because each state sets its own curriculum requirements.
Once you finish and pass the final exam, the school generates a completion certificate. You then submit that certificate to the court listed on your ticket, usually by mail, email, or in person. The court reviews it, and if everything is in order, the ticket is removed from your driving record. Your insurance company will not see the violation when they pull your record later.
The entire process — from enrollment to certificate — typically takes one day for the schoolwork itself, but the court's review can add another week or two. Some courts process certificates faster than others, so check with your specific court about their timeline.
Which tickets may have access to and which do not
Traffic school is available for most minor moving violations: speeding, running a red light, unsafe lane changes, and similar infractions. However, courts exclude certain violations from traffic school may be able to access. Serious violations like reckless driving, driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, and hit-and-run do not may have access to in any state.
Your specific situation also matters. If you have attended traffic school within the past 12 months in many states, you cannot attend again — courts limit how often you can use traffic school to keep your record clean. If you have a commercial driver's license, you are usually barred from traffic school entirely. Repeat violations of the same type within a short period may also disqualify you.
The only way to know whether your ticket qualifies is to check your ticket paperwork or contact the court directly. The ticket itself often states whether traffic school is an option, or the court's website lists which violations may have access to.
Finding a court-approved Done Today school
Not every traffic school is approved by every court. Your court maintains a list of schools it accepts, and you must choose from that list for your certificate to be valid. If you complete a course through a school your court does not recognize, the court will reject the certificate and the ticket remains on your record.
To find approved schools, start with your court's website — most post a list of accepted traffic schools in their FAQ or ticket information section. If the list is not online, call the court's traffic division and ask which Done Today programs they accept. Some courts also print the approved schools on the back of the ticket itself.
Once you have the list, compare the schools by price, how long the course takes, and whether they offer the format you prefer (online, in-person, or both). Price varies widely — some schools charge $20 and others charge $50 or more — so shopping around can save money. Read reviews on independent sites, not just the school's own website, to understand what the actual experience is like.
Online versus in-person Done Today options
Online Done Today traffic school is the most common format. You log in from home or anywhere with internet, watch videos at your own pace, answer quiz questions, and take a final exam. Most online courses take 4 to 8 hours to complete, though some allow you to spread it across a few hours if you need a break. You can usually pause and resume, so you do not have to sit through it all at once.
In-person Done Today classes meet at a physical location — often a driving school office or community center — and run for several hours in one session. You watch the same videos and take the same exam as online students, but in a classroom with an instructor present. In-person classes are less common than online options but may appeal to people who prefer not to work on a computer or who want direct interaction with an instructor.
Both formats satisfy the court's requirement equally. Choose based on what fits your schedule and learning style. Online is faster to enroll in and more flexible; in-person offers structure and when ready answers to questions.
What happens after you submit your certificate
After the traffic school sends your completion certificate to the court, the court's staff reviews it to confirm the school is approved, the course was completed, and the certificate is legitimate. This review typically takes one to three weeks, though some courts are faster and others slower.
Once the court approves the certificate, the ticket is dismissed or marked as "satisfied" — the violation no longer appears on your driving record. Your insurance company will not see it when they request your record from the state. However, the court may still keep a record that you received the ticket and completed traffic school; you just will not have a moving violation on your record.
If the court rejects your certificate — usually because the school was not approved or the paperwork was incomplete — you will be notified by mail. At that point, the ticket remains on your record and you may owe the fine. Contact the court when ready if this happens to understand what went wrong and what your next steps are.
Cost and what it covers
Done Today traffic school costs vary by state and school, typically ranging from $20 to $50 for the course itself. This fee covers the instruction, videos, quizzes, and certificate. Some schools charge extra for rush processing or for mailing the certificate to the court, so ask about the total cost before you enroll.
The traffic school fee is separate from the ticket fine. You still owe the fine to the court — traffic school does not reduce or eliminate it. In some cases, a court may reduce the fine if you complete traffic school, but this is not automatic and varies by jurisdiction. Check with your court to see whether a fine reduction is possible in your situation.
If you are on a tight budget, look for schools at the lower end of the price range. The content is similar across approved schools because the state sets the curriculum, so a cheaper school is not lower quality — it is just less expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take Done Today traffic school if I already have points on my license?
Yes, traffic school can still reduce the impact of a new ticket even if you have previous violations on your record. However, if you have taken traffic school within the past 12 months, most states will not let you take it again. Check with your court about your specific situation and how many times you can use traffic school.
What if I fail the final exam?
Most traffic schools let you retake the exam at no extra cost if you fail the first time. You will need to review the material again before retaking it. If you fail multiple times, contact the school's customer service — they can usually help you understand what you missed or offer additional study materials.
Does traffic school remove a ticket that is already on my record?
No. Traffic school only prevents a new ticket from appearing on your record if you complete it before the court's important date. If a ticket is already on your record from a previous violation, traffic school cannot remove it. You would need to explore other legal options, which vary by state and violation type.
Can I take traffic school for a ticket I received in a different state?
No. You must take traffic school approved by the court that issued the ticket. If you received a ticket in another state, you need to find a school approved by that state's courts. Some online schools serve multiple states, but you must verify that the specific school is approved by the court on your ticket.
What if the traffic school does not send my certificate to the court?
Ask the school for proof that the certificate was sent — most provide a tracking number or confirmation email. If the school claims it was sent but the court has no record, contact the court directly and ask them to check. You may need to request the school send it again or print a copy and mail it yourself. Keep documentation of all communication in case you need to dispute the ticket later.