Traffic Violator School Program
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Traffic Violator School Program
A "traffic violator school" is a business which for compensation provides, or offers to provide, instruction in traffic safety, including, but not limited to, classroom defensive driver concepts, for persons referred by a court. CVC Section 626 . The following licenses are required prior to offering a traffic safety education program.
- A traffic violator school owner is any natural person, association, or corporation that owns a traffic violator school. CVC Section 626.8. (Note: The owner license will not be issued unless submitted with a complete operator application.)
- A traffic violator school operator is a person who directs and manages the operations of a traffic violator school. CVC Section 626.6
After issuing a temporary operating permit for a school and operator license, the department may begin accepting application for instructor licenses.
- A traffic violator school instructor is any person who provides instruction to traffic violators on behalf of a traffic violator school. CVC Section 626.4
IMPORTANT NOTE: Assembly Bill 2499 requires the department to make incremental changes to the TVS licensing, monitoring, and lesson plan approval programs. Keep current with TVS Program changes at: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vehindustry/ol/ab2499.htm.
Completion Certificates
Upon successful completion of the Traffic Violator Course, the provider must issue students a receipt for fees paid and a certificate of completion. Effective September 1, 2011, Traffic Violator Schools shall no longer charge the student the $1.50 administrative fee paid to DMV for the certificate. This fee will be paid directly to the court by the driver at the time other court fees are paid. The following is pertinent information regarding interim certificates and refunds for previously purchased certificates:
- Distribution of no-fee certificates will begin the week of August 15, 2011, by Golden State Courier Service.
- Additional forms may be obtained from Inspector Offices beginning August 22, 2011. To obtain additional Traffic Violator School Completion Certificates, OL 730, you will need to download the Traffic Violator School Completion Certificate Order Form, OL 730A (PDF), from the Internet at www.dmv.ca.gov/vehindustry/ol/forms.htm. Completed order forms must be submitted to a local inspector office. See form for further instructions.
- Instructions and a refund application form will be included with the blanket distribution of no-fee certificates. Refunds will only be issued in the name of the Traffic Violator School and must be received by the department by December 30, 2011. A copy of the receipt required by California Code of Regulations Section 345.44 (e) and (f) and copy of cancelled check (if applicable) is also required to obtain a refund. (Certificates with control numbers 26800000-27379200 are not eligible for a refund.)
(Note: The Traffic Violator School Completion Certificate, OL 730 will be replaced with an on-line application by April 1, 2012.)
Suggested Study Material
Applicants are urged to prepare themselves before applying for a license or taking an examination. Books and publications on the subject of driver safety and education are available at libraries, automobile clubs, and the employing school.
California Vehicle Code. Division 1, Sections 626 et al, 1650, 1670, and 1671; Division 5, Chapter 1.5, Sections 11200 et al; Divisions 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12. The California Vehicle Code is available for purchase from the Department of Motor Vehicles and can also be found on the DMV website.
California Drivers Handbook. Available free of charge at any Department of Motor Vehicles office.
California Code of Regulations. Title 13, Articles 2.5, 4 and 4.7, Sections 345 et al.
