If you have received a speeding ticket or a moving violation in Washington, friends or relatives from other states, particularly California, might be giving you well-meaning advice: "Just pay the fine and take an online traffic school course. It will wipe the ticket off your record."
If you are deciding whether to challenge the citation, our traffic ticket defense page explains how we handle Washington ticket cases.
This is one of the most common and damaging myths we hear from new clients.
The short answer is No. In Washington State, you cannot simply pay a ticket and take a class to "erase" it. Paying the fine is an admission of guilt, and that committed finding is immediately reported to the Department of Licensing (DOL), where it will remain visible to your insurance company for three years.
Here is a breakdown of why the "Traffic School" model doesn't work in Washington, and what your actual options are for keeping a ticket off your record.
The "Traffic School" Myth Explained
Many states, like California, Florida, and Texas, operate on a "point system." In those systems, you can often elect to take a state-approved defensive driving course in exchange for having points removed from your license or having a ticket dismissed entirely.
Washington State does not use a point system for driver's licenses. Instead, the DOL simply tracks the number and type of violations on your record.
Because there are no "points" to erase, Washington courts do not offer a generic "pay and take a class" option for ticket dismissal. Once you pay a ticket, the case is closed, you are found to have "committed" the infraction, and the record is cemented.
Why Paying the Ticket is the Worst Option
When you check the box on the back of your ticket that says "I agree I committed the infraction(s) and am enclosing payment," you are putting a committed finding on your driving record.
This has two immediate consequences:
- Insurance Increases: The violation is reported to the DOL. Your insurance company reviews your driving record upon renewal. A single speeding ticket can increase your premiums by 20% or more for three years.
- License Suspension Risk: While there are no points, accumulating too many moving violations can still lead to a suspension. For example, committing moving violations on just three separate occasions in 12 months (or four in 24 months) will trigger a 60-day license suspension.
Your Actual Option: A "Deferred Finding"
Washington law does provide one specific tool to keep a ticket off your record, but it is not a simple "traffic school" election. It is a legal process called a Deferred Finding under RCW 46.63.070(5).
A Deferred Finding is an agreement between you and the court. You committed, but the judge agrees to not enter the committed finding onto your record for a probationary period, typically six to twelve months.
Provided you finish the probation period without another ticket and complete any assigned defensive driving classes, the charge is dismissed and will not affect your insurance or DOL record.
Who is Eligible for a Deferred Finding?
This option is not automatic, and it is not available to everyone.
- The Seven-Year Rule: You are only allowed one Deferred Finding for a moving violation and one for a non-moving violation every seven years.
- Commercial Drivers (CDL): Federal law prohibits CDL holders from using a deferred finding to dismiss a traffic ticket.
- Court Discretion: A judge is not required to grant a deferral. They may deny it based on your driving history or the severity of the current offense (e.g., speeding in a school or construction zone).
Does a Deferred Finding Require Traffic School?
It depends. A judge has the discretion to order a defensive driving course, whether online or in-person, as a condition of your deferred finding. However, this is a formal requirement ordered by the judge, not something you can simply elect to do on your own after paying a fine.
The New Young-Driver Courses Are Not a Way to Erase a Ticket
Washington is adding two course requirements for younger drivers, and neither one removes a ticket from a record. The Work Zone and First Responder course is a condition of getting a first license, not a response to a citation. The safe driving course required after two moving violations is a licensing consequence that follows the ticket, so it is something a driver does in addition to whatever the ticket already did, not instead of it. Neither is the same as a deferred finding, which is the only mechanism on this page that actually keeps a finding off your record. See how the new rules for drivers under 25 work.
If Your License Is Already Suspended
Everything above is about keeping a ticket off your record before it does damage. If your license has already been suspended and you are trying to get it back, that is a different process with its own steps at both the court and the Department of Licensing. See our guide to getting your license reinstated after a DWLS charge.
Don't Navigate This Alone.
The "Traffic School" myth is just one of many pitfalls in the traffic court system. Don't rely on advice from other states or well-meaning friends.
At The Law Offices of Barbara Bowden, we know the specific rules and procedures for every court in Western Washington. We can determine if you are eligible for a Deferred Finding, negotiate with the prosecutor on your behalf, and ensure the process is handled correctly so the ticket stays off your record for good.
Protect your insurance rates. Contact us today to discuss your options.
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If Paying Does Not Erase the Ticket, What Are Your Options?
In Washington, paying a ticket and taking a class is not the same thing as keeping the ticket off your record. Depending on the violation and your record, better options may include contesting the ticket, requesting mitigation, or asking whether traffic ticket deferral is available.
Deferral can be helpful for some eligible drivers, but it is limited and conditional. Washington generally limits how often eligible drivers can use deferral, and CDL holders cannot use the standard traffic-infraction deferral option under RCW 46.63.070.
Before you pay, compare your options.
Unsure whether to pay, defer, or fight the ticket? Contact us before you respond to the court.
If you need help applying this to your specific facts, contact our office.