Defensive Driving (Driving Safety Course)

Dismissing Your Citation With a Driving Safety Course 

If you are interested in taking a driving safety course to dismiss your citation you must request permission to take defensive driving from the court by E-mail or in person by your initial appearance date). The following are the standard eligibility requirements for approval to take defensive driving:

  • 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 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 affect
  • You must remit cash, or cashier's check to pay 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   

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
  • A violation resulting in a fatality
  • Leaving the scene of an accident
  • 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

GO TO THE FORM SECTION TO REQUEST DEFENSIVE DRIVING BY E-MAIL