Defensive Driving
Qualifications to take Defensive Driving
You may qualify to take a Defensive Driving Course to dismiss one violation on your citation if you have not taken Defensive Driving in the preceding twelve (12) month period and have a valid Texas driver's license. You can not take Defensive Driving for the following violations:
- Passing a School Bus
- Speeding in excess of 24 mph over the speed limit
- Reckless Driving
- Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident
- Failing to Stop and Give Information/Render Aid
- Any offense committed in a Construction Zone with men working
- Any violation committed while driving a Commercial Vehicle other than Parking, Vehicle Weight, or Vehicle Defect violations
Requesting Defensive Driving
If you qualify to take Defensive Driving , you must do the following:
- Request within twelve (12) days of the Citation date, either in person or by mail, to take Defensive Driving.
- Pay the required fee, which includes the State Fees and the Administration Fee.
- Give a written plea of Guilty or No Contest.
Taking the Defensive Driving Course
You will have ninety (90) days from the date of the citation to complete a Defensive Driving Course and provide Municipal Court with a certificate of competition. The State will send a Certificate of Completion to you by mail. You must sign and return the original Court Copy of the Certificate of Completion to the Municipal Court to have the ticket dismissed. The Certificate of Completion must be returned to the Court within the allotted 90 days.
Failure to Complete the Defensive Driving Course
If you fail to complete the Defensive Driving Course and return the certificate within ninety (90) days of the citation date, a courtesy letter will be mailed to the address on the citation to notify you to pay the balance of the citation. Failure to appear will result in additional fines and/or a Warrant being issued for your arrest.