how do you notify the court that you have taken drivers safety course

The court sends you a courtesy notice by mail within two to three weeks of their receiving the traffic ticket. The notice advises whether you are eligible to attend traffic school to have the ticket dismissed. If you are eligible, a list of traffic schools is also attached for reference.

Full Answer

How do I request a driver’s safety course?

The items you must remit to the Court are as follows: Items to remit for Mandatory DSC/MOTC: Certificate of Completion (you MUST submit the “Court Copy”) Certified copy of your driving record; A signed and notarized DSC Affidavit (Note: If you deliver your documents in person, the clerk will certify the Affidavit for a fee of $6.00).

How to submit a traffic school certificate to the courts?

Mar 05, 2012 · If you attend a traffic school in person, you will receive the Certificate of Completion at the end of the course. Either mail or take this certificate to the court address mentioned on the courtesy notice, along with the receipt for the payment made. The particulars of this payment are listed in the traffic school section of the courtesy notice.

How do I get my defensive driving certificate?

Feb 12, 2014 · In most cases you can notify the Court in one of the following 3 ways: Present in person or by counsel a request to take an approved driver safety course (a.k.a. defensive driving). Request in writing to the court to take a state approved defensive driving course. Submit your request via phone.

What should I do after taking a defensive driving course?

In addition to a certificate of completion, the court may require you to submit other documentation along with your defensive driving course certificate, such as an official copy of your Texas driving record. Once you have submitted the required materials, the court will notify you when your dismissal has been processed.

Where do I send my defensive driving certificate in Texas?

the clerk of courts officeSubmitting the Defensive Driving Certificate Correctly "Have your signed certificate and all documents and receipts for payment when you come to the clerk of courts office. If you take the class online, follow up with them to make sure they send the certificate. The court doesn't take partial submissions.Dec 19, 2019

Can I email my defensive driving certificate in Texas?

While most Texas courts now accept defensive driving certificates via email, some may still require the original document via US Postal Service mail. And some courts might require in-person delivery. Check your notice from the court for specific submission instructions.Mar 23, 2021

Where do I send my defensive driving certificate in Houston?

3) Submit your certificate or completion of the course (court's copy), the certified copy of your driving record, and a signed and notarized DSC affidavit to the court or the DSC window, at 1400 Lubbock. If you deliver in person, the clerk will certify the affidavit.

How do you get permission from court to take defensive driving in Texas?

Contact your court and request permission to take a defensive driving course. You may do this by phone, in writing (on the back of your citation), or in person. You have until the appearance date on your citation to request permission. At that time, you must plead guilty or no contest to your violation.

Can I just pay my ticket and not go to court Texas?

If you do not want to appear in court, you have the option of paying your fine by mail or by paying in person at the Justice Court as directed on your citation or summons.

Can I print my defensive driving certificate Texas?

Texas Online Defensive Driving School for Ticket Dismissal You can immediately print out your Defensive Driving Certificate upon completion.

Are Houston courts open?

Details from the City of Houston: The Court remains open for all other proceedings. Members of the public should contact a health care provider and not come to court if they have come into contact with someone who is experiencing symptoms or is experiencing symptoms similar to COVID-19.

How much is defensive driving in Houston?

Normally, citations are entered into our system within 10 business days; however, you may contact the Houston Help Line at 713.837. 0311 to verify that your citation(s) is available. Mandatory DSC/MOTC fees: Moving Violation: $144.00.

Can you take defensive driving online in Texas?

Once you are registered you can begin the 100% online Texas Defensive Driving course. Log in and out as much as you like, the test will pick back up where you left off, however the course must be completed within three months of registering. The course is user-friendly and section quizzes can be taken multiple times.

Will I have to pay my speeding citation if I take defensive driving in Texas?

Do I have to pay? Yes - you must pay for the cost of the ticket as well as the defensive driving course. This can actually prevent your insurance rates from going up.

Who qualifies for defensive driving in Texas?

Defensive Driving Eligibility RequirementsSpeeding at or more than 25 MPH over the posted speed limit.No car insurance.Leaving the scene of an accident (hit and run)Passing a school bus.Construction zone violations.

How long do you have to take defensive driving after a ticket in Texas?

How long do you have to take defensive driving after a ticket in Texas? For ticket dismissal and to keep the citation off your driving record, drivers have 90 days from the date of plea to complete a stated approved defensive driving course.

What A Traffic School Certificate Can and Can't Do For You

A traffic school certificate can be very helpful, however, it isn't a magic bullet or panacea that will make you a better or safer driver.The Purpo...

Will Courts accept An Online Traffic School Certificate?

There are several online traffic schools that provide courses in defensive driving and courses that help dismiss traffic tickets. Online traffic sc...

How Do Courts Receive An Online Traffic School Certificate?

When you take an online traffic school course, you'll still have to present the certificate of completion to the court authorities in order to rece...

How to find out if a traffic school is licensed?

Find out by contacting the court clerk who presides over the court that issued your citation.

What traffic school certificate will not erase?

A traffic school certificate only certifies that you are aware of the vehicle code of your state and thus can only take points from moving violations that are minor infractions.

What happens if you get a speeding ticket and it stays on your record?

When you get a speeding ticket and it stays on your record, your insurance premium is going to go up and the insurance company may drop you when it's time to renew your auto insurance policy.

Can a speeding ticket be removed from your record?

However, if you complete traffic school, obtain a traffic school certificate and properly submit it to the traffic court or Department of Motor Vehicles, whichever your jurisdiction requires, that speeding ticket will be removed from your record and your insurance company won't be informed of the ticket. This means your insurance premiums won't go ...

Do you have to pay a fine to take a traffic school?

Before registering with a traffic school, you have to pay the necessary fine to the court. You have to then obtain permission from the court that issued the citation to take a traffic school course. Subsequently, the court will charge an administrative fee to allow you to take the course.

Can you take points from driving school?

Driving school completion won't remove certain moving violations such as reckless driving or DUIs. A traffic school certificate only certifies that you are aware of the vehicle code of your state and thus can only take points from moving violations that are minor infractions.

Driver Safety Course Eligibility Requirements for Ticket Dismissal

The following could make you ineligible to take a Driver Safety / Defensive driving course in Texas*:

What happens after requesting to take defensive driving?

Assuming you are eligible, the court will acknowledge that you plan to take a driver safety / defensive driving course for your citation, and will give you a deadline (usually 90 days) to successfully complete a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) approved driver safety course such as the one offered through TexasDriveSafe.com.

After completing the course then what should I do?

After completing the driver safety course you must present the following to the court:

Will the traffic ticket go on my driving record?

After the court receives a copy of the defensive driving certificate and any other required documents, your requirements have been completely fulfilled. The final step is for the court to do the following:

How long is defensive driving course?

The state-required length for online defensive driving courses is six hours. Typically, courses cover topics relating to Texas driving and traffic laws, including highway safety, alcohol- and drug-impaired driving, state traffic laws, driving emergencies, and vehicle maintenance. To get credit for the course, you have to score a passing grade on ...

How to get a citation in Texas?

When you go to court, make sure you bring the following required documents and forms: 1 Proof of a valid Texas driver’s license 2 A copy of your insurance policy 3 Your signed citation admitting guilt 4 Any other documents specified by your county and/or court 5 A court administrative fee (this varies by court)

What documents do you need to go to court in Texas?

When you go to court, make sure you bring the following required documents and forms: Proof of a valid Texas driver’s license. A copy of your insurance policy. Your signed citation admitting guilt. Any other documents specified by your county and/or court. A court administrative fee (this varies by court)

Can you take defensive driving in Texas?

The majority of minor citations can be dismissed with a defensive driving course. In Texas, you can take a defensive driving course if you meet the following requirements: You have not taken a defensive driving course within the past 12 months. You do not have a commercial driver’s license (CDL)

Do you need a copy of your Texas driver's license to take defensive driving?

In addition to a certificate of completion, the court may require you to submit other documentation along with your defensive driving course certificate, such as an official copy of your Texas driving record.

How to keep receipts for defensive driving?

This includes proof you took the course, payment receipts, and receipts from the clerk of the court that the documents were received. Confirm that the court has received your certificate of completion and confirm the dismissal of the ticket from your record.

Where to take a certificate of completion?

Take your Certificate of Completion to the court address on the notice you received as well as the receipt for the ticket fine. Pay the ticket BEFORE you submit all your documents to the court.

What is defensive driving class in Texas?

The class will teach skills that will increase your driving knowledge and help you watch out for other unsafe drivers and situations.

Can you take defensive driving classes online in Texas?

Ensure the court will accept an online Texas defensive driving certificate BEFORE you take the class online. The online course must be approved by the state of Texas, and you can ask your local clerk of the court to find out what online schools are acceptable.

Can you get a defensive driving ticket dismissed in Texas?

Submitting them late can result in the ticket not being dismissed. Once the class is completed and you have learned about defensive driving, Texas insurance companies will view you as a safe driver.

Do you have to sign a certificate of completion before you send it to the court?

Before you send the Certificate of Completion to the court, ensure that you sign it . The court will deem all unsigned certificates as invalid. Once you or the traffic school has submitted the Certificate of Completion, you should ensure that the court has received it.

Can you get points off your driving record?

A traffic school certificate can only help you remove points from your driving record that are a result of minor infractions, such as speeding. Of course, different states permit different violations to be removed from the driving record with a traffic school certificate. In most states, the only thing that you can do to remove these violations ...

Do you have to go to traffic school to maintain your driving record?

If you successfully complete the course at the traffic school and submit to the court the necessary traffic school certificate paperwork, you will likely be able to maintain your clean driving record . Therefore, as a driver attending traffic school, it is vital that you learn how to properly submit this paperwork.

Can you submit a certificate of completion online?

Some courts will not allow the driver to submit the Certificate of Completion. Such courts require the online traffic school to submit the certificate, along with other paperwork, electronically. In other cases, the traffic school may have to mail the certificate and paperwork to the court. If the court requires the driver instead ...

Do you have to send a certificate of completion to the court?

No matter what you do, it is necessary that you send the Certificate of Completion on time. If you fail to meet the deadline, you may not be eligible to have the traffic citation removed from your driving record. Therefore, you should send the certificate to the court as soon as you complete the traffic school course.

Can a traffic school send a certificate to the court?

In some cases, the traffic school will be automatically transmit the certificate to the court. Ensure you talk to a representative at the traffic school to determine if they will take the responsibility of sending the certificate to the court. The certificate can also be sent by email.

Do you need a proof of identity to take traffic school?

You will likely have to submit a proof of identity document along with the Certificate of Completion and receipt. This is especially true if you opted to take the traffic school course online instead of in person. Some courts will not allow the driver to submit the Certificate of Completion. Such courts require the online traffic school ...

How to take defensive driving course in Texas?

You can take a Texas defensive driving course if you meet the following conditions: 1 You have not taken a defensive driving course within the past 12 months. 2 Do not have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) 3 Are not currently taking a defensive driving course for a different violation.

What are the violations of defensive driving in Texas?

A Texas defensive driving course may NOT be taken to dismiss any of the following violations: Speeding at or more than 25 MPH over the posted speed limit. No car insurance. Leaving the scene of an accident (hit and run) Passing a school bus. Construction zone violations.

How to request a driver's safety course?

To make a request for a driver’s safety course, you may come in person or submit your request by mail. The request must be received by the at least one business day prior to your court date. You may contact the court at 972-347-3020 to verify your eligibility prior to your request and payment.

How much does it cost to take a driver safety court?

Provide the Court with a copy of driver’s license and a copy of your proof of insurance. The fee for requesting to take a driver safety court is: $144.00 for eligible offenses not committed in a school zone.

What happens if you fail to appear for a show cause hearing?

If you fail to comply with any one of the requirements per the Judge’s order of deferred disposition you will be notified by mail to appear for a show cause hearing, if you fail to appear for a show cause hearing, warrants will be issued.

What age do you have to be to be charged with a citation?

What to do if you receive a citation or have been charged with a violation. The following are violations that are required to appear in court: All alcohol related cases involving anyone under the age of 21; defendants under 18 years of age must appear with a parent or legal guardian. All Juveniles under the age of 17 must appear in court ...

How long is a driver safety course in Texas?

A driver’s safety course is a 6 hour State approved course that can be taken in a class session, via internet, or home video. You must provide a written request to the court along with the required fee. When you have been approved, the course must be taken within the mandated time frame, course completion certificate submitted along with a certified copy of your driving history and the Court will not report the violation as a conviction to the Department of Public Safety. Your driving record will reflect that you have taken a driver safety course to have a violation dismissed. In order to be eligible for a driver’s safety course, defendants should not have completed the course within the past 12 months, not currently taking the Course, not going more than 25 MPH or more over the post speed limit, must have a valid Texas driver’s license and proof of insurance, not a Commercial driver’s license. To make a request for a driver’s safety course, you may come in person or submit your request by mail. The request must be received by the at least one business day prior to your court date. You may contact the court at 972-347-3020 to verify your eligibility prior to your request and payment.

Where to mail deferred disposition of license?

You may request deferred disposition by written request along with the payment and a copy of your drivers license (mailed to P.O. Box 307, Prosper, TX 75078) , online or in person. If you are under the age of 25, you will be required to take a driver safety course as a condition of your probation.

Where to print a citation application?

You may print and completing the application on the forms page of the court website or in person at the court office . You must pay a deferred fine and court costs (the same as the total due for the citation) in full along with your request or by the date due approved by the Court.

How long does it take to get a defensive driving ticket dismissed?

You can dismiss one ticket within a 12-month period. You become eligible to take defensive driving on the anniversary of your completed defensive driving course (not when you got the ticket).

How long do you have to take a certificate?

In most cases, you'll have 90 days to take the course and deliver the certificate. But don't wait until the last minute, because things may happen that you hadn't planned for. Internet connections go down and computers crash, so the online course may not be done when you'd planned. Classes get cancelled.

How old do you have to be to take defensive driving?

Drivers under the age of 25 should know that they have to take a defensive driving course every time they get a ticket, even if it hasn't been a year and there's no chance of getting the ticket dismissed.

How much is the discount on driving safety?

Discounts vary from insurance company to company, but the standard discount is 10% for up to 3 years.

How much does it cost to move a violation?

Moving violations can cost a driver anywhere from $150 to $300 depending on the infraction. Even with defensive driving, you'll probably still have to pay the court fee — usually about $125 — but that will still be less than paying the full cost of the ticket. Lower your auto insurance costs.

Can you take defensive driving if you are pulled over?

Often the officer who pulls you over will suggest you take defensive driving, but that's not enough : you need to get permission from the court. You may want to hire an attorney to represent you. In some cases an attorney can help dismiss the ticket or help if you have more than one ticket in a short period of time.

Can you keep a photocopy of your defensive driving certificate?

Once the court has your paperwork, it should record that your ticket has been dismissed and set about having it erased from your driving record. But we suggest you keep a photocopy of your defensive driving certificate in your car.

Why Take a Defensive Driving Course Online?

The cost of a traffic ticket doesn't end with the court fees. If the citation shows up on your driver record, you will almost certainly have to face higher insurance premiums, which can wind up costing you thousands of dollars over a few years.

Defensive Driving Class

At I Drive Safely we believe traffic school should be easy, fast, and stress-free - that's why we provide an online driving safety course that fits your needs and your schedule.

Dismiss Tickets Online

Dreading spending an entire weekend sitting in a boring classroom lecture just to dismiss that one pesky ticket? Our online safety driving course is the better option.