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It can happen to anyone. You're driving along and you start going through your mental to do list. The next thing you know, you're going 10mph over the posted speed limit! Orr, maybe you couldn't fight back that sneeze any longer and you ended up stopping just a little past that stop sign.
Whatever the reason, you've got yourself a traffic ticket and you would like to pay as little as possible while avoiding long term complications to your driver record. Enter a TDLR approved defensive driving course, you're best chance to make that traffic ticket go away with no permanent damage to your driving record.
How to Dismiss a Traffic Ticket through Defensive Driving
You can opt to take a Texas defensive driving course to reduce points accumulating on your record, and maybe even make yourself eligible for an insurance discount. Complete the course and present your certificate of completion to the court, and your traffic ticket could be dismissed, and your driving record could be cleared.
The steps to achieving ticket dismissal by attending defensive driving classes feel a little overwhelming. You have a lot of options and there's some red tape you'll have to navigate. Many people simply pay their fines and do not pursue ticket dismissal because it can be hard to know where to start. However, if you follow our six steps found below, it is a breeze.
Step 1: Are you eligible to take a driving safety course?
You might be very interested in taking a Texas defensive driving course for traffic ticket dismissal. You might not know, however, if you are eligible to take defensive driving in Texas. You will need to meet these conditions:
- You do not have a CDL commercial driver’s license
- You haven’t already taken a Texas defensive driving course in the past year
- You aren’t already taking defensive driving for another violation
Most minor traffic citations will be dismissed if you take defensive driving. However, more severe violations are not eligible for traffic ticket dismissal in this way. You may still be ordered to take a safe driver course of some kind, but you may NOT take defensive driving in Texas to dismiss any of the violations below:
- Not carrying car insurance
- A speeding ticket for traveling at or above 25 MPH over the posted speed limit
- Passing a school bus
- Hit and run (leaving an accident in which you were involved)
- Any violations occurring in a construction zone
Step 2: Ask the Court for permission to take the defensive driving course.
You will need to inform the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation that you intend to take an approved defensive driving course. Find a course that suits your needs, and be prepared to give the TDLR your desired course number. If it's a sanctioned course you will receive approval and be able to register. Visit the TDLR course finder for a comprehensive list of approved classes.
Step 3: Obtain a current copy of your personal driving record for the court.
To be eligible for point reduction or a ticket dismissal you will have to request and eventually submit your personal driving record. You can visit the Texas Department of Public Safety for more information on how to acquire your driving record.
Step 4: Enroll in a Texas online defensive driving course.
It's important to find the driving safety course that works best for you, and you're going to have options. Ask yourself a few questions about the kind of course you want to take, and what you want to get out of it. Do you prefer an in person or online defensive driving course? Will you learn better with a straightforward, no nonsense approach? Would you prefer a course that seeks to educate with entertainment and humor? Taking the time to reflect on your needs will pay off when you complete that course that was just right for you, and you're Texas traffic ticket is dismissed.
Step 5: Complete the online course.
Whether or not you choose an in person or online experience you're looking at a 6 hour course. Many online driving safety courses can be completed at your own pace, as long as you finish and submit your completion certificate to the court in time. You will be required to complete a series of topics quizzes or a final examination. While many people want to get through this process as simply and quickly as possible, it might be worth it to remember that taking a driver safety course also provides some real benefits.
You will have the opportunity to submit your course completion to your insurance company, and potentially insurance premium discounts. Who doesn't want to save money on their insurance premium?
It can go overlooked that taking a defensive driving course also offers an opportunity to improve. No matter how experienced a driver you may be, there's always room for improvement and becoming a better driver will not only keep you safer, but it will help you avoid further traffic tickets.
You'll get the opportunity to brush up on a variety of topics including:
- Vehicle Maintenance
- Texas State traffic laws
- How to handle emergency situations
- Staying safe on the highway
- The dangers of impaired driving and how to avoid them
Step 6: Submit your defensive driving course completion certificate and driving record to the court.
After you complete the course and final exam, we'll process your certificate of completion and submit it to the court that same day. You can focus on passing the test, we'll handle the rest. More than likely successful completion will mean that your traffic ticket will be dismissed. This means no points or additional penalties on your driving record. In addition, not only could you be eligible for insurance discounts, but, even if you're not, you will not face a possible increase in premiums either. It's like the whole thing never happened!
If you're ready to begin your safer driving journey, register today to get started on the road to getting your Texas traffic ticket dismissed!
