Last updated September 15, 2026
Texas lets most drivers dismiss a traffic ticket by completing a 6-hour, state-approved driving safety course, better known as defensive driving. If you qualify, the court has to allow it. The course costs $25, you get 90 days, and when you file the certificate the ticket is dismissed with no conviction and no insurance consequences. These guides cover every part of the process.
Texas at a glance
- Regulator: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
- Law: Code of Criminal Procedure art. 45.0511
- Course: 6 hours, online, $25 minimum by law
- Request deadline: on or before the appearance date on your ticket
- Completion window: 90 days
- Paperwork: certificate + Type 3A driving record (~$12) + affidavit
- Limit: once per 12 months for dismissal; no limit for insurance discount
- Not eligible: CDL holders; 25+ mph over; 95+ mph; school bus; leaving a crash; work zone with workers present
Start here
- Texas defensive driving for ticket dismissal — eligibility, deadlines, and the step-by-step filing process.
- Texas defensive driving course explained — what the course is, what it costs all-in, and how to choose one.
- Deferred disposition vs defensive driving — which route to take if you don’t qualify for the course, or already used it.
- Type 3A driving record — the $12 DPS record every court requires with your certificate.
Our pick: the course to take
DefensiveDriving.com Our pick
$25- TDLR-approved and accepted by every Texas court
- 6-hour text course $25, video course $35
- Instant certificate download plus free mail or FedEx delivery
- Ticket-dismissal guarantee: they pay the ticket (up to $250) if the court refuses your certificate
- Online since 2000; 114,000+ reviews averaging 4.7/5
We may earn a commission if you enroll through this link, at no extra cost to you. How we make money.
Read the full DefensiveDriving.com review, or see how it stacks up against other Texas providers.
More Texas guides
- Texas defensive driving requirements and eligibility checklist
- TDLR-approved courses: how to verify and which to pick
- Best defensive driving course in Texas
- Cheapest defensive driving course in Texas ($25)
- How much is a speeding ticket in Texas?
- Texas defensive driving insurance discount
Coming next: Texas speeding laws, paying a ticket online, ticket lookup, and city guides for Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso and Fort Worth.
Texas ticket dismissal FAQ
Do I have to go to court to request defensive driving in Texas?
Usually not. Most municipal and justice courts accept the request by mail, email, or an online portal, along with a copy of your license and proof of insurance. Check the court named on your citation.
How much does it cost to dismiss a ticket with defensive driving in Texas?
The $25 course, about $12 for the Type 3A driving record, and the court’s costs (which vary by court; the driving-safety-course administrative fee itself is capped at $10 by law).
Does Texas still have points on your license?
The points-based Driver Responsibility Program was repealed in 2019. Convictions still go on your driving record and insurers still see them, which is why dismissal matters.
Can I take the Texas course online?
Yes. Online courses are TDLR-approved and accepted by every Texas court.