Texas Defensive Driving Process for Ticket Dismissal

Qualifying for Defensive Driving
First of all, you must qualify to take the course.  Be aware that not everybody qualifies for Texas Defensive Driving, also known as Driving Safety Course (DSC).  You may not be able to complete the Texas Defensive Driving Course for ticket dismissal if you fall into one (or more) of these categories: 

1.  Hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL);
2.  You have taken a Court ordered Texas Defensive Course within one year from this citation
3. You do not have a valid Texas Driver’s License.
4. And finally you will not qualify if you are charged with:
   1. 95 miles per hour or more, or speeding 25 mph or more over the posted speed limit,
   2. passing a school bus,
   3. committing a serious traffic violation,
   4. failing to stop and give information or rendering aid after an accident, or
   5. committing an offense in a construction zone when a worker was present

When to Request Texas Defensive Driving
First of all you MUST request to take the Texas Defensive Driving Course on or before your arraignment setting (first setting).  If you fail to do so you will lose the right to elect it at a later time.  IT IS TOO LATE TO REQUEST DEFENSIVE DRIVING AT TRIAL.  The court requests that you wait 10 days from the date the ticket was issued to request Texas Defensive Driving.

How to Request Texas Defensive Driving
You must mail OR bring to the Court the Following items:

1.  Photocopy of your current auto liability policy;
2. Photocopy of your valid Texas Driver’s License;
3. Texas Defensive Driving fee payment (see below for amount)
4. Completed and signed application ( see instructions for mail request)

Fees:
All Eligible Moving Violations:                                        $110.00 Speeding in a School Zone Violations:                             $135.00

 

*Note - the above fees are only estimated fees. Your Texas court may have different fee amounts. You must contact your court to verify all fees.

*Remember, this must be done before or on your arraignment setting.

MAIL – Send the above listed documents and a personal check, cashier’s check, or money order payable to the court you received your ticket. Contact your court for specific instructions. Do not send cash. Most Texas Courts accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express. Complete the credit card form
attached to the ticket, sign it, and mail it to the Municipal Courts.

 

For your protection,keep copies of all documents mailed to the Court, and send all requests via certified mail.

 

 

IN PERSON – You may apply for Defensive Driving before your scheduled court date at many courts in Texas. Contact the phone number on your ticket for most accurate information (please wait 10 days after you are issued the citation)

 

 

Upon approval of your request, you will have 90 days to:

1.  Complete a Texas Defensive Driving Course or, if the offense was committed while operating a motorcycle, a MTOC;
2. Order a certified copy of your driving record from Texas Department of Public Safety;
3. Submit your certificate or completion of the course (court’s copy), the certified copy of your driving record, and a signed and notarized DSC affidavit to the court or the DSC window. If you deliver in person, the clerk will certify the affidavit.

If you fail to comply with any of the above-stated requirements, you will have a conviction on your driving record and you will be required to pay the $150.00 judgment fine. Failure to pay this $150.00 judgment amount will result in a warrant of arrest being
issued.

 

**All information on this page is general information. All fees and information may be subject to change per your specific court. Always be sure to contact the court where you received your ticket for the most accurate and up-to-date information.