If you recently received a traffic ticket in California, you might be thinking, “I’ll just pay it and move on.” Paying the ticket without going to traffic school can cost you more in the long run, especially when it comes to your insurance rates.
While paying a traffic ticket outright might feel like the fastest way to resolve the issue. In California, when you pay the fine without attending traffic school, the violation goes straight on your DMV driving record.
That’s when the insurance companies get involved. Most insurers check your driving record when setting or renewing your premium. A single moving violation will appear on your record—resulting in a potential rate increase of 20% to 30% or more. Depending on the severity of the violation and your past record, those elevated rates can last 3 to 5 years.
If the court says you are eligible to take traffic school, do it! This is to prevent that ticket from going on your public record. When you complete a California DMV-licensed traffic school course, the violation is kept confidential so insurers can not see it.
It’s an easy way to keep your driving record clean and your budget intact. If you're eligible, don’t just pay the fine and hope for the best—take charge of the situation by taking a convenient, DMV-licensed online traffic school today!
Referred to this by a friend - thanks for the funny, random comments inserted in between the text. and for the colloquial tone. easy to follow along as opposed to dry stats and figures.
- Julie S
