r/CaliforniaTicketHelp • u/Adventurer_1371 • 1d ago
California speeding ticket with a Virginia license - does traffic school prevent reporting of a confidential conviction to Virginia DMV?
I received a speeding citation (Speeding, allegedly 89 mph in a 65 mph zone (24 mph over the limit) - bail amount $362 in Inyo County, California, while visiting from Virginia. I’m trying to figure out whether completing California traffic school would protect me from Virginia demerit points and potentially more serious consequences.
My understanding is that this speed qualify for California traffic school, subject to the court’s eligibility requirements. However, traffic school was not listed as an option on my notice because I have an out-of-state license.
I emailed the court to ask whether I could still attend traffic school and whether a masked citation still gets reported to VA. They replied:
“Traffic school was not listed as an option for your citation because you hold an out-of-state driver’s license. Generally speaking, the California Department of Motor Vehicles only reports traffic violations to states in close proximity to California. If you find that the California DMV reports to the Virginia DMV, and you determine traffic school would prevent a point on your [Virginia] license, then you may attend traffic school by mailing a check or money order for $73.00 to the address below and then visiting ctsi-courtnetwork.org for a list of approved traffic schools for Inyo County.”
They also said that if I contest the citation through a trial by written declaration, I must submit the full $362 bail amount with my request. I can ask for traffic school in the declaration, but it is not guaranteed to be granted.
Here is what I’m trying to understand:
California and Virginia both participate in the Driver License Compact (DLC). Given that, is the court’s statement that California generally reports violations only to nearby states accurate? Doesn’t California report qualifying convictions to Virginia through interstate reporting systems?
California Vehicle Code § 1808.7 provides for confidential treatment of qualifying traffic-school convictions. If I pay the required amounts and successfully complete an approved California traffic-school course, will California still transmit the confidential conviction to Virginia DMV, or does the confidential status prevent it from being reported? Has anyone dealt with this specific situation?
If California does report the violation, would Virginia assess demerit points even though the conviction was masked/confidential in California?
The alleged speed is 89 mph in a 65 mph zone. My understanding is that speeding is generally an infraction in California, while driving 20 mph or more over the limit in Virginia can constitute reckless driving, which is a Class 1 misdemeanor. If Virginia receives this California citation, would it simply treat it as an out-of-state speeding conviction, or could it be treated as reckless driving/a misdemeanor in Virginia? Would Virginia classify it based on the original California offense or its own law?
Appreciate if you share your thoughts on this especially if you’re familiar with California DMV interstate reporting or who have dealt with a similar situation. Thank you!