Driver Safety Course
Eligibility Requirements
- Defensive driving can only be approved if a plea of guilty or no contest is entered with the court.
- You must have a valid Texas driver’s license.
- You must not have been cited with speeding 25 miles per hour (mph) or more over the posted speed limit.
- You must not have completed a defensive driving course (for the purpose of dismissing a previous citation) within the 12 months preceding the date of the offense on your current citation.
- You must provide proof of financial responsibility or vehicle liability insurance. Proof must show coverage for the date of the offense and must still be in effect.
- You must remit payment for court costs and applicable fees before taking the defensive driving course.
- You will not be eligible for defensive driving if you hold a commercial driver’s license, or held a commercial driver’s license when the offense was committed regardless of whether you were in a commercial vehicle or personal vehicle or car.
Ineligibility Restrictions
If you were cited for any of the following, you are not eligible to take defensive driving:
- Any offense in a construction zone when workers were present
- Following too closely
- Failure to give information or render aid
- A violation resulting in an accident
- Leaving the scene of an accident
- Fleeing from a Police Officer
- No insurance or failure to maintain financial responsibility
- Passing a school bus with lights flashing
- Speeding 25 mph or more over the posted speed limit
- Speeding in a school zone
- Improper or erratic lane change
- Reckless driving
| Type of Moving Violation | Fee Breakdown | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Not in a School Zone | $134.00 State plus $10 Administration | $144.00 |
| In a School Zone | $159.00 State plus $10 Administration | $169.00 |
How to Proceed
Upon receipt of the form, payment of the fees and compliance with the eligibility requirements and ineligibility restrictions, you will be sent a letter of approval. This letter includes further instructions and grants you 90 days to complete the course and to obtain a certified copy of your driving record from the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin. Upon successful completion and returning of your documents to the court within the 90 day period, your citation will be dismissed.
The court is not allowed to recommend a specific defensive driving course. Any course certified by the State of Texas for ticket dismissal will be acceptable including online courses and videos. Please refer to the phone book for additional courses.
Failure to Comply
Failure to comply with any part of the driver safety course order will result in a conviction reported on your driving record and a capias warrant may be issued.