OL 613 Form – If you operate or plan to open a Traffic Violator School (TVS) in California, or you simply want to know exactly what court-ordered traffic school covers, the OL 613 Form is the definitive document. Officially titled Outline of Required Topics and Standards for State of California, Department of Motor Vehicles Approved Traffic Violator School Course, this DMV-issued PDF sets the mandatory curriculum, time requirements, testing rules, and educational standards every approved TVS must follow.
The current version (Revision 10/2011) remains the official standard referenced across the California DMV website in 2026. You can download the full OL 613 PDF directly here:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/uploads/2025/02/OL-613-R10-2011-ASB-WWW.pdf
What Is the OL 613 Form and Why Does It Matter?
The OL 613 Form is not just another DMV form—it is the blueprint for every DMV-approved Traffic Violator School course in California. Its purpose is crystal clear:
- Reduce traffic collisions
- Reduce traffic law violations
- Re-emphasize the responsibilities of operating a motor vehicle
Every TVS course must create a structured learning environment that helps drivers understand safe vehicle operation, licensing rules, and personal responsibility. Schools that fail to meet OL 613 standards cannot receive (or keep) DMV approval, meaning their students won’t receive proper citation dismissal or point relief.
Course Length and Format Requirements (OL 613 Standards)
According to the official OL 613 document, every approved course must provide:
- Minimum 340 minutes of classroom instruction OR
- 42,500-word count for non-classroom (online/home-study) instruction
This time is expressly devoted to traffic safety and excludes registration, breaks, lunch, or certificate issuance. Courses must also allocate at least 60 minutes for the final post-lesson examination.
Recommended time/word-count breakdown (must total the minimums):
| Topic Area | Classroom Minutes | Non-Classroom Words | % of Instruction |
|---|---|---|---|
| i. Introduction | 5 | 725 | 1.70% |
| I. Recent Changes/Reasons for Traffic Laws | 20 | 2,500 | 5.88% |
| II. Careless Driving and its Consequences | 20 | 2,500 | 5.88% |
| III. Operator Responsibilities | 45 | 5,825 | 13.70% |
| IV. Rights and Responsibilities of a Pedestrian | 5 | 650 | 1.52% |
| V. Driving Maneuvers | 30 | 3,850 | 9.05% |
| VI. Defensive Driving | 55 | 6,975 | 16.41% |
| VII. Collision Avoidance | 40 | 5,100 | 12.00% |
| VIII. Road Rage/Aggressive Driving | 20 | 2,500 | 5.88% |
| IX. Driver Distractions | 30 | 3,750 | 8.82% |
| X. The Vehicle | 20 | 2,500 | 5.88% |
| XI. The Road | 45 | 5,625 | 13.23% |
| XII. Course Evaluation | 5 | N/A | 0.05% |
| TOTAL | 340 minutes | 42,500 | 100% |
Complete Curriculum Topics Covered in OL 613
The document provides detailed sub-topics that every school must teach. Highlights include:
- Defensive Driving (largest section) – trip planning, following distance, blind spots, evasive maneuvers, yielding right-of-way.
- Driver Distractions – phones, GPS, passengers, eating, scenery, and more.
- Road Rage & Aggressive Driving – how to recognize it and stay calm.
- Collision Avoidance – recent statistics, common causes, and prevention.
- Operator Responsibilities – knowing when not to drive, child endangerment laws, vehicle maintenance, and courteous communication.
- The Road & Driving Maneuvers – right-of-way rules, hydroplaning recovery, lane changes, passing, and weather adjustments.
All 11 core topics (I–XI) plus introduction and evaluation must be thoroughly covered.
Final Exam & Evaluation Rules
- Minimum 25 questions covering at least 8 of the 11 topic areas.
- Must include questions on defensive driving, driver distractions, right-of-way, and operator responsibility.
- Passing score: 70% or higher.
- One retake allowed (different test); open-book permitted.
- Students cannot grade their own test.
- Every student completes a DMV-provided course evaluation (max 5 minutes).
- Schools submit quarterly statistics (OL 850) on attendance, completions, and test failures.
Who Needs the OL 613 Form?
- TVS Owners & Operators – Required when submitting a new course for DMV approval.
- Instructors – Must teach exactly to these standards.
- Drivers – Knowing the curriculum helps you choose quality schools and understand what you’ll learn.
Full licensing details are on the DMV’s Traffic Violator School page.
How to Download the Official OL 613 PDF?
✅ Direct download (current version):
OL-613-R10-2011-ASB-WWW.pdf
Always use the version hosted on dmv.ca.gov for the most authoritative copy.
How OL 613 Benefits California Drivers?
Completing a DMV-approved TVS course (built on OL 613 standards) typically dismisses a citation and prevents points from appearing on your driving record. More importantly, the curriculum is designed to make you a safer driver by covering real-world topics like distractions, road rage, and defensive techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is OL 613 the same as the traffic school curriculum?
A: Yes—it is the official outline every approved California traffic violator school must follow.
Q: Has OL 613 been updated since 2011?
A: No. The Revision 10/2011 version is still the current standard referenced by the DMV in 2026.
Q: Can online traffic schools use OL 613?
A: Yes—word-count standards apply to internet and home-study courses.
Q: Where can I find a list of DMV-approved TVS schools?
A: Visit the official California DMV Traffic Violator School page.
Conclusion
The OL 613 Form is the foundation of California’s Traffic Violator School program. Whether you’re a school operator seeking approval, an instructor preparing lessons, or a driver wanting to understand what traffic school actually teaches, this document is your essential reference.
Download the official OL 613 PDF today and ensure your course (or your learning experience) meets the highest DMV standards for traffic safety.
Stay safe on California roads — drive defensively, avoid distractions, and always respect the right-of-way.
All information sourced directly from the California Department of Motor Vehicles official website and OL 613 (Rev. 10/2011).