Texas Ticket Dismissal & Defensive Driving Guide (2026)

By the Ticket Dismissal HQ editorial teamReviewed Oct 21, 2026Sources cited at the endNot legal advice

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 $28, 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. 45A.352
Course: 6 hours, online, $28 minimum by law ($25 + $3 minimum charge for materials, supervision and administration)
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

Diagram: the five steps to dismiss a Texas traffic ticket with a driving safety course, from requesting the course by the answer date to filing the certificate and Type 3A record within 90 days — The Texas dismissal process in one view: request first, course second, file by day 90.

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

$28

TDLR-approved; obtain court approval for your eligible ticket before enrolling
6-hour text course $28 all-in ($25 + $3 minimum charge for materials, supervision and administration), video $38
Instant certificate download plus free mail or FedEx delivery
Provider advertises a ticket-dismissal guarantee up to $250; review written terms and eligibility
Online since 2000; 114,000+ reviews averaging 4.7/5

Start the Texas course →

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Read the full DefensiveDriving.com review, or see how it stacks up against other Texas providers.

More Texas guides

City guides: your court’s fee, deadline and forms

Houston · Dallas · San Antonio · Austin · El Paso · Fort Worth

Course reviews and comparisons

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 $28 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; obtain court approval for your eligible ticket before enrolling.

Texas ticket dismissal guide