Traffic school + court question

I got a speeding ticket (84 in a 70 zone) by the CHP in Blythe (pretty much on the border of CA/AZ in Riverside County) back a few months ago. I tried the whole trial by declaration thing and I was found guilty. In my trial by declaration I specifically requested traffic school if I lost the case, but was not given the go ahead to take traffic school by the judge. I don't know if he denied it purposefully or just wasn't paying any attention. I'm technically allowed to take traffic school because I haven't taken it in the last 18 months and my speed was less than 25 MPH over the limit.

I called the court and they pretty much said my only option was to either file a motion to have the case re-opened so I could request traffic school or request a trial de novo. Problem is that for either of those I would have to show up in person (according to the less then helpful operator at the court) and Blythe is 230 miles from LA. I asked if I could send a letter to the judge and they said no.

Maybe some of you can help me out here because the operator at the court didn't know (and didn't want to bother finding out) the answer to my question. Is there any way I can either do a trial de novo or file a motion to re-open the case and appear in a court that's closer to me in Riverside County? Moreno Valley is the closest one to LA. Driving out 230 miles + taking time off work + gas + spending a day at court doesn't make sense at this point. I just want to take traffic school, not actually go through the whole process of a trial. I just want to appear in front of him to request it since they claim there is absolutely no other way I can do it.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.