Defensive Driving

If you are charged with a traffic offense, you may be eligible to take a driving safety course to dismiss the charge filed against you.  If you were operating a motorcycle, you must take a specialized motorcycle operator training course.  The request to take a driving safety course must be submitted to the court within 11 days of the date the offense occurred.

If you are under the age of 25, you must take a defensive driving  every time you receive a citation for a moving violation.  You may only use this once a year to keep a citation off your driving record.

In order to be eligible to take a driving safety course, you must not have taken a driving safety course for a citation in the last 12 months.  You will be required to enter a plea, provide a copy of a valid Texas driver’s license, present valid proof of insurance, and you must pay the court costs and a $10.00 administrative fee.  Upon completion of your driving safety course you will need to submit to the court the certificate of course completion (signed by you) along with a copy of your driving record from the Department of Public Safety showing that you are ‘Eligible’ to take a driving safety course.

The following are NOT ELIGIBLE to take A Driving Safety Course:

• You held a commercial driver’s license (CDL) at the time the offense occurred;
• Speeding of 25 or more miles per hour above the posted speed limit;
• Passing a school bus;
• Reckless driving;
• The offense occurred in a construction zone with workers present;
• Leaving the scene of an accident;
• Fleeing or attempting to flee a Police Officer;
• Failure to give information or render aid at an accident scene.

If you fail to complete the driving safety course or submit all the documentation as ordered you will be notified to appear before the Judge to show cause why you failed to comply.