Driving Safety Course

You may be eligible to request a driving safety course and have your citation dismissed. However, you will lose that right if you do not provide written notice to the court on or before your court date of your desire to do so.  This right applies to only ONE charge in a one year period and does not pertain to non-moving violations. Do not complete a driving safety course until you have been granted permission by the court to do so. Requests for permission to take a driving safety course must be made either in person at the court clerk’s office or by  mail on or before your court date.  You may also request permission to take a driving safety course from the judge in court on your court date.

Qualifications

  • Have a valid Texas driver’s license and proof of financial responsibility (liability insurance)
  • Pay court cost and administrative fee and the any applicable fees:
    • Speeding and most other moving violations $144.00
    • Speeding in School Zone $169.00
    • Plead guilty or nolo contendere (no contest)Have not taken a driving safety course for a traffic violation within the 12 months preceding the current offense
    • Are not currently taking a driving safety course for another traffic violation

Disqualifications

You are not eligible if:

  • You hold a commercial driver’s license or out of state driver’s license
  • You committed one of the following offenses:
    • Passing a school bus
    • Speeding 25 miles per hour over posted speed limit
    • Leaving the scene of an accident
    • Reckless driving
    • Duty to give information and render aid
    • Serious traffic violations
    • An offense in a construction zone where workers are present

Deadlines & Fines

You will be allowed 90 days to complete the course and must, on or before the 90th day, present your signed completion certificate to the court. The deadline for taking a Driving Safety Course will not be extended and failure to comply will result in a $200 fine.