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Taking the course may cost the violator anywhere from slightly less than the fine for the violation to significantly more, but successful completion will usually either completely remove, or significantly reduce, the violation's effect on the violator's driving record. A traffic violator will be offered the opportunity to take such a course only if he or she has not done so within a specified number of months prior to the violation. This requirement keeps frequent violators from abusing the system to avoid the consequences of their recklessness, while encouraging participants to pay attention, and to put what they learn into practice.

Traffic school is typically a four to eight hour course held in a courtroom or classroom on one day. The county where the traffic violation occurred determines where you will/may attend traffic school and if an internet course is allowed to be taken instead. The average cost for traffic school is $35 is addition to what is paid to the court as indicated on the initial citation. The course instructors are not always law enforcement, and have no special training or higher education in respect to traffic laws and safety. The typical traffic school course consists of several lectures about the traffic laws and safe driving habits as printed in the DMV driver manual. Some short videos on the subject matter may also be shown and a quiz/test is usually given at the end of the class. Passing the test is not mandatory but it must be taken. After the class is completed the violator will complete a form distributed by the traffic school instructor. The instructor also distributes the receipt of payment and certificate of completion of traffic school which must be submitted to the courts.