Washington Traffic Tickets & Deferred Findings (2026)
Comparing 5 reviewed options from 9 Washington-approved online schools
Ticket in Washington, license from another state?
This page is written for drivers who hold a Washington license. If you got the ticket in Washingtonbut your license is from another state, different rules decide what reaches your home state's record and whether a course helps.
Read the out-of-state ticket guideWashington license, ticket from another state? Same guide, other direction.
Washington Traffic School: Key Facts (2026)
- Online course available
- Yes, but court acceptance varies
- Ticket dismissal
- Court-by-court
- Typical cost
- from $49.00
- Eligibility
- One deferred finding per seven years for a moving violation; commercial-driver's-license holders and anyone driving a commercial vehicle at the time are excluded (RCW 46.63.070(5)(b)-(c)).
- Certificate submission
- Driver Submits
Last verified August 2026
Washington keeps no point total on your license, and no online course automatically erases a ticket. What can clear one is a court-granted deferred finding. Under RCW 46.63.070(5), the court may defer a moving-violation infraction once every seven years and set the conditions it thinks appropriate. Many courts choose to require a traffic safety course as one of those conditions, but whether a course is required at all, and which one counts, is the court's decision. If you meet the conditions through the deferral period, the court may dismiss the infraction. Commercial-license holders and anyone driving a commercial vehicle at the time are not eligible. Ask the court printed on your citation what it requires before you enroll in anything. Last checked August 2026.
The True Cost of a Ticket in Washington
A Washington moving-violation conviction stays on your record and can raise your insurance; Washington keeps no point total. The one route to clearing it is a court-granted deferred finding, available once every seven years (RCW 46.63.070(5)). The court sets the conditions, which many courts satisfy with a traffic safety course, but that is the court's call. Ask the court printed on your citation what it requires. Last checked August 2026.
Decided court by court
Washington has no statewide traffic-school program. Whether a course helps with your ticket is decided by the court on your citation. An approved online course can count toward a diversion or dismissal agreement where the court accepts it, so confirm with that court before you enroll.
We may earn a commission if you enroll through our links. It never changes a school's score or rank.
DriveSafe Online
Top RatedOur take
4.8-star cinematic video course, no exam, no timers, WA DOL-approved
Pros
- Approved by the Washington Department of Licensing
- No final exam required, just complete the course
- No lesson timers, so you can work at your own pace
- Money-back guarantee if your certificate isn't accepted
- 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating from 6,700+ real drivers
- Electronic certificate delivery, no waiting for mail
Cons
- −Ticket dismissal is at the judge's discretion, not guaranteed in WA
- −Not all WA courts accept online courses, confirm with yours before enrolling
- −No mobile app, so you'll need a laptop or desktop browser
DriversEd.com
Our take
Established, highly-rated Defensive Driving course accepted by many WA courts
Pros
- 4.7 stars across 10,000+ Trustpilot reviews, one of the most trusted names online
- No final exam required, complete the course without a test
- No lesson timers, work through the material at your own pace
- Electronic certificate delivery speeds up the process with your court
- Money-back guarantee offers peace of mind before you commit
Cons
- −WA judges have full discretion, ticket dismissal or deferral is never guaranteed
- −Not all WA courts accept online Defensive Driving courses, verify with yours before enrolling
- −Higher price than some competing providers
- −No mobile app, desktop or mobile browser only
Traffic School Online
Our take
4.8-star Trustpilot rating, 7,500+ reviews, no final exam, electronic certificate delivery
Pros
- Exceptional 4.8-star Trustpilot rating across 7,500+ reviews provides strong confidence
- No final exam required, work through the course at your own pace
- No minimum time requirements, complete on your schedule
- Electronic certificate delivery included
- Money-back guarantee if the course doesn't work out for you
Cons
- −Washington courts accept online Defensive Driving courses at the judge's discretion, confirm with your court before enrolling
- −Not all WA courts allow ticket deferral or dismissal through traffic school, check eligibility first
- −Cannot independently verify Washington Department of Licensing approval status for this provider
- −No mobile app, desktop or mobile browser only
I Drive Safely
Lowest priceOur take
Highly rated Defensive Driving course accepted by many WA courts, 26,000+ verified reviews
Pros
- 4.8-star rating across 26,000+ verified Trustpilot reviews, strong trust signal
- No final exam required, complete the course without a high-stakes test
- No lesson timers, work through the material at your own pace
- Electronic certificate delivery, no mailing delays
- Money-back guarantee if you're not satisfied
Cons
- −Court acceptance is at the judge's discretion, confirm your court accepts online courses before enrolling
- −Not all Washington courts participate in ticket deferral or dismissal programs
- −No dedicated mobile app, course runs in a browser only
- −Course interface feels dated compared to some newer alternatives
GoToTrafficSchool
Our take
No final exam, no lesson timers, flexible Defensive Driving approved by WA DOL
Pros
- No final exam required
- No lesson timers, work at your own pace
- Washington Department of Licensing approved
- Money-back guarantee for peace of mind
- 6M+ drivers served since 2000, established track record
Cons
- −WA ticket dismissal is at the judge's discretion, not guaranteed
- −Not all WA courts accept online courses, verify with yours before enrolling
- −Upsells for read-along audio and same-day certificate delivery
- −Only ~230 Trustpilot reviews, limited social proof
We independently research and review all schools. Prices are checked periodically and may change or differ at checkout, so confirm the current price on the school's site. We may earn a commission if you enroll via our links, at no extra cost to you.
WashingtonTraffic School Rules & Requirements
Online Status
Online, court discretion
Eligibility
One deferred finding per seven years for a moving violation; commercial-driver's-license holders and anyone driving a commercial vehicle at the time are excluded (RCW 46.63.070(5)(b)-(c)). Last checked August 2026.
Court Acceptance
Washington has no driver-point system, and no course automatically dismisses a ticket. The path that can is a court-granted deferred finding: under RCW 46.63.070(5) the court may defer a moving-violation infraction once every seven years and impose the conditions it deems appropriate. Many courts choose to require a traffic safety course as a condition, but whether a course is required, and which one, is the court's call. If you meet the conditions and stay violation-free through the deferral period, the court may dismiss the infraction. Commercial-license holders and commercial-vehicle drivers are not eligible. Ask the court on your citation what it requires. Last checked August 2026.
Certificate Submission
Driver Submits
Official DMV
Washington Traffic School FAQ
Can traffic school dismiss a ticket in Washington?
Not on its own. The route to a dismissal is a court-granted deferred finding: under RCW 46.63.070(5) the court may defer a moving-violation infraction once every seven years and set the conditions it deems appropriate. Many courts choose to require a traffic safety course, but whether a course is required, and which one, is the court's decision. If you meet the conditions, the court may dismiss the infraction at the end of the deferral period.
How often can I get a deferred finding in Washington?
Once every seven years for a moving violation, and separately once every seven years for a nonmoving violation. Commercial-license holders and anyone driving a commercial vehicle at the time are excluded (RCW 46.63.070(5)).
Does Washington have a driver-point system?
No. Washington keeps no point total on your license. For your ticket, ask the court printed on your citation whether it will grant a deferred finding and what conditions it sets.
All 9 DMV-licensed online traffic schools in Washington
Source: Official Washington DMV records · Last verified 2026-04-08
| Name | License # | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course type: In-person | WA-approved | 253-512-0911 | Visit |
| Course type: In-person | WA-approved | 253-512-0911 | Visit |
| Course type: In-person/Virtual | WA-approved | 888-206-1328 | Visit |
| Course type: Self-paced online | WA-approved | 509-544-0911 | Visit |
| Course type: Self-paced online | WA-approved | 509-544-0911 | Visit |
| Course type: Self-paced online; English and Spanish | WA-approved | 360-756-8777 | Visit |
| Course type: Virtual | WA-approved | 800-392-8594 | Visit |
| List of providers | WA-approved | 360-393-8769 | Visit |
| Need more help? | WA-approved | 360-902-3900 | Visit |
This directory lists all DMV-licensed online schools in Washington. Schools above have been independently reviewed. Directory listings have not.