California Code, Government Code - GOV § 68645.1

(a) The date that the defendant agrees to forfeit bail, plead guilty, or plead nolo contendere shall be reported as the date of conviction for all purposes.

(b) If a defendant requests an ability-to-pay determination, the matter shall be considered adjudicated for purposes of that determination when the defendant agrees to forfeit bail or pleads guilty or nolo contendere.

(c) When a defendant agrees to forfeit bail, plead guilty or nolo contendere through the online tool, or requests an ability-to-pay determination, the defendant has appeared within the meaning of subdivision (a) of former Section 40509 and subdivision (a) of former Section 40509.5 of the Vehicle Code, and the court shall immediately file with the Department of Motor Vehicles the required certificate to recall any failure to appear notifications that have been sent for the citation.