Drivers Safety Course

Driving Safety/Defensive Driving

You may be able to require that a charge under Subtitle C, Title 7 of the Transportation Code (Rules of the Road/Traffic violations) be dismissed by successfully completing a driving safety course or a motorcycle operator training course. You will lose that right if, on or before your appearance date, you do not provide the court with written notice of your request to take the course.

The request to take a driving safety course must be made by the 10th calender day of the date of your citation. If you fail to make your request timely, you will then become ineligible for dismissal of your citation by taking a driving safety course. Your request must be made in writing, either in person or by mail.

Payment of the State costs and administrative fees, a copy of your valid Texas Driver’s License and Insurance must be submitted with your request.

Certain offenses and CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) holders are not eligible for this option.

Driving Safety Course Eligibility

To qualify you must meet all of the following terms:

• You must have a valid Texas Driver’s License or be a member of the Unites States Military forces serving on active duty;
• You must have current proof of valid financial responsibility (liability insurance);
• You must NOT have taken a driving safety course within the past 12 months or be in the process of taking the course for ticket dismissal ;
• You MUST NOT hold a commercial driver’s license
• The offense committed must not be 25 miles or more over the posted speed limit or be in a construction zone.

Requirements if determined eligible

You must provide the court with the following within 10 calender days from the date of your citation:

• You must enter a plea of Guilty or Nolo Contendere/No Contest;
• You must provide the court with current and valid proof of a Texas Driver’s License and Insurance;
• You must pay the State costs and fees: $107.00 for all non-school zone offenses, $132.00 for all offences committed in a school zone. FEES ARE DUE AT TIME OF REQUEST;
• You must file a sworn affidavit with the court stating that you have met all of the above eligibility requirements;

After your request has been accepted you will be given 90 days to complete and turn in the following:

1. Submit a Certified Copy of your Driving Record. You must obtain a copy of your driving record from the Department of Public Safety (DPS). <- make this a link to the DPS driving record request page (https://www.texasonline.state.t…/txdps/TXDPSLicenseeManager)
2. Submit a uniform certificate of course completion of a driving safety course.

Compliance

After successful completion of the Driving Safety Course, the court will dismiss your case and report to the Texas Department of Public Safety for inclusion on your driving record.

If you fail to provide the court with the required documents during your 90 days, you will be summoned to court to “show cause” as to why you failed to turn in all documents to the court in a timely manner. If you do not appear for the hearing, the violation for which you signed up on the Driving Course will be reported to the State of Texas as a conviction on your driving record and it may result in additional fees and a warrant issued.