how to complete driver safety course in texas

by Rodger Lind 4 min read

Drivers Safety Course You may request to complete a state approved driver safety course (DSC) in person, by mail or by email. You will need a valid Texas Driver's License and proof of financial responsibility with your name on it.

Request court permission to take a defensive driving course. Prepare required documents to be mailed or brought in to the court. Enroll in and complete your Texas-approved driving safety course. When you finish your Texas drivers safety course, you will receive a certificate of completion.

Full Answer

Why should you take driver safety course in Texas?

  • The risks of drinking and driving and/or using drugs and how they can affect driving safety.
  • Learning and being reminded of all the current Texas driving laws, rules, and regulations.
  • The current Texas auto insurance requirements and laws.
  • Learning and being reminded of safe driving techniques, like keeping a safe following distance.

More items...

Why you should take a driver safety course?

  • You Don’t Really Know Everything There is to Know. The biggest excuse people produce for not taking a defensive driving class is they already know all the rules of the ...
  • They are Cheap. ...
  • You Become Safer for Everyone. ...
  • It Helps With More than Just Avoiding an Accident. ...
  • There is More than Just Lowering Auto Insurance. ...

Why should I take a Texas defensive driving course?

Who should be interested in a defensive driving course?

  • Senior Drivers. Those among us who have the most experience behind the wheel have just as much reason to take an online defensive driving course as someone who just got ...
  • Business Owners. ...
  • Cost Conscientious Drivers. ...
  • Safety Conscientious Drivers. ...

Does Texas offer a defensive driving course?

The residents of Houston will thank you for making the city a great place to live and drive when you do your part and take the defensive driving online course seriously. Texas drivers are eligible to take a defensive driving course once every 18 months to dismiss a recent traffic ticket. The price of such a course is minimal.

Can I take a driving safety course online in Texas?

Our TDLR-approved Texas Online Defensive Driving course satisfies all court requirements and takes just six hours. Many students finish in one day, but because it's online, you can take it on your schedule, at your pace.

How long is a Texas driving safety course?

6 hoursThe State of Texas requires defensive driving online courses to take a minimum of 6 hours to complete. In compliance with the state, our Texas Defensive Driving course is 5 hours of material with 1 hour of total break time, and may be completed at your own pace.

How do I get a driving safety course 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.

How many modules are on the Texas defensive driving course?

Each course has a total of twelve modules, each with an end-of-module quiz. Students in the Parent-Taught Program have an unlimited number of quiz attempts. Students taking Texas Online Driver's Education have three attempts for each quiz. A passing score is 70% or higher.

How much is a driver safety course in Texas?

$25How much does it cost to take a defensive driving course in Texas? The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) requires all defensive driving courses to cost at least $25.

Can you practice driving without a permit in Texas?

Unfortunately, driving on public roads without a permit is illegal in the United States. However, you can practice your driving on private property.

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

90 daysHow 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.

Which online defensive driving course is best in Texas?

The 7 Best Online Defensive Driving Courses In Texas For 2022Aceable. Aceable is without a doubt the best online defensive driving course in Texas for 2022. ... iDriveSafely. ... Approved Course. ... Go To Traffic School. ... Improv Traffic School. ... Get Defensive. ... A Sense Of Humor Defensive Driving Course.

How many times can you take defensive driving in Texas?

Yet many people ask “How often can you take a defensive driving course?” Texas state law permits drivers to take defensive driving to dismiss one traffic ticket every 12 months. If you haven't taken a course for defensive driving within that time, you can take another—for example, to have a ticket dismissed.

How many hours behind the wheel do you need in Texas?

Understanding Texas Drivers Training Requirements Seven hours of behind-the-wheel instruction. Seven hours of in-car observation. 30 hours of additional practice including at least 10 hours at night.

How long does it take to finish Drivers Ed?

The length of your student driver's ed course depends a lot on the type of class you're taking. A summer school option could last roughly 6-8 weeks. For high schoolers taking drivers ed during school, the course consists of 12 lessons taught throughout six sessions.

Does the Texas driver education certificate expire?

Do Drivers Ed Certificates Expire In Texas? There is not an expiration date on your DriversEd.com certificate, however, your written test score is only good for two years. This means you should head to the DPS with your certificate and test for your license within two years of your certificate's issue date.

What is the Texas code for driver education?

The requirements for a driver education school can be found under Texas Education Code 1001.204.

How many hours of driving school is required for a driver?

The classroom phase of a driver education course is at least 32 hours, and it cannot be completed in fewer than 16 days. The in-car phase consists of 7 hours of behind-the-wheel driving, 7 hours of in-car observation, and an additional 30 hours of behind-the-wheel practice, of which 10 hours must be done at night.

What is a DADAP course?

A DADAP Course focus es on the effects of drug and alcohol on the driving process and is a court-mandated course. A minor may be required to take the course if convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication (if the minor has not been previously convicted of an offense). 2.

When a school closure prevents a student from completing his/her driver training, all tuition and fees are?

When a school closure prevents a student from completing his/her driver training, all tuition and fees paid become refundable. The school owner is required to issue full refunds in accordance with Texas Education Code 1001.403. In situations when a school owner fails to issue refunds TDLR will attempt to acquire the students’ records and file a claim against the school’s bond. In most cases only partial refunds can be issued

When should a certificate be provided?

The certificate should not be provided until all course requirements have been met and the completion date on the certificate should match the date that the last of the course requirements have been met. By law and rule, validation of the student’s identity should be one of those requirements.

Who must obtain their own driver education license?

A person, partnership, or corporation pur chasing a licensed driver education school must obtain their own original or branch school license.

Do you have to be 18 to drive a car?

Yes. Person s under 18 must be enrolled and attending school as a condition of being licensed to operate a motor vehicle, unless the person has a high school diploma or GED.

What are the Texas driver education and safety rules?

The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted amendments to the Driver Education and Safety Program rules (16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 84, Subchapter D , §84.50; Subchapter M, §§84.500 and 84.502; and Subchapter N, §84.600). The adopted rules implement House Bill 105 and House Bill 2048, 86th Legislature, Regular Session (2019). Collectively, these bills created a requirement that (1) all driver education and driving safety courses include information relating to methods of safely operating a motor vehicle near an oversize or overweight vehicle; (2) repealed Chapter 708, Transportation Code, concerning the Driver Responsibility Program; and (3) amended Chapter 1001, Education Code, by specifying the driving and safety offenses which would prevent someone from conducting a Parent Taught Driver Education Course.

What is a driver education program?

The Driver Education and Safety program at the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is comprised of the licensing and regulation of businesses known as Driver Education Schools, Parent Taught Driver Education programs, Driving Safety Course Providers, Driving Safety Schools and Instructors. Driver Education provides the basic skills and training required by law to provide the knowledge and hands-on experience to prepare people for their written and practical tests to operate a vehicle in Texas. Driving Safety Courses (sometimes known as 'defensive driving') are geared to improve a driver's knowledge, perception and attitude about driving. The Driving Safety Course Providers are required by law to offer curriculum that meets the standards required by law in Chapter 1001, Texas Education Code. TDLR's objective is to ensure that the schools, course providers, and instructors are qualified to develop and offer the courses and that the courses meet the required standards.

What is TDLR in Texas?

The Driver Education and Safety program at the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is comprised of the licensing and regulation of businesses known as Driver Education Schools, Parent Taught Driver Education programs, Driving Safety Course Providers, Driving Safety Schools and Instructors.

What is TDLR distance education?

To proactively address the concerns regarding COVID-19, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has enacted temporary emergency distance education provisions to allow current licensed schools to offer distance education limited to the theory hours of instruction to not exceed more than 50 percent of the course. TDLR’s temporary emergency provision is in line with the Department of Education to provide flexibilities for schools to help students complete their course work.

What is the minimum score required to become a driver education instructor?

You will need to pass the exam with a minimum score of 70% to meet the requirements on becoming a driver education instructor.

What is the purpose of temporary distance education?

The purpose of the temporary emergency distance education provision is to provide flexibility for schools to help students complete their course work. This temporary emergency distance education provision does not apply to the in-car lesson requirements in Driver Education.

What is the Education and Examination Division?

The Education and Examination Division is focused on assisting you by issuing Verification Letters based on student records received from the school, as well as providing information about other paths to accessing another driver education curriculum.

What do you need to take a driver improvement course in Texas?

To be eligible for a course, motorists must: Have a valid Texas drivers license. Have proof of car insurance. Plead no contest in court. Furthermore, there are general conditions that will prevent certain residents from participating in a driver improvement course.

What is driver education in Texas?

Drivers ed and traffic school in Texas offer different types of knowledge to residents. Driver’s education classes are targeted toward new drivers who do not yet have their license. It is an introduction to driving and traffic laws. It also often accompanied with behind-the-wheel training.

Who can attend traffic school in Texas?

Certain drivers may be permitted to attend traffic school in Texas. Oftentimes, defensive driving courses are not mandated by courts. However, motorists charged with a driving while intoxicated (DWI) violation may be required to pass a specific driving class. In all other cases, Texas residents may be given permission from their county court to complete a driver safety program and dismiss a ticket. To be eligible for a course, motorists must:

Why do drivers need to be in a safety program?

One of the primary reasons that motorists choose to partake in a driver safety program is to dismiss a traffic ticket. While Texas courts will not permit dismissal for all violations, it may still be worth making a request as approval is based on the discretion of local judges.

What are the benefits of completing traffic school in Texas?

These benefits include: Ticket dismissal. Receiving a car insurance discount. Fulfilling a court order. Learning safe driving skills and knowledge.

How long does it take to get a copy of your drivers license in Texas?

If the court approves the request, motorists can then register for a defensive driving course. They will have 90 days to finish the course and submit a certificate of completion.

How long is a defensive driving class in Texas?

A defensive driving class in TX is approximately six hours long. Generally, motorists have the option to choose between online or in-person classes.

Is TDLR approved in Texas?

TDLR Approval Extends to Every Court in Texas. Some people call it a driver safety course while others call it defensive driving. No matter what you call it, they are the same thing and this course is what you need. The most important thing to check is if a course has been approved by the state of Texas and the TDLR.

Do you have to submit a driving record to get a driver's ticket dismissed?

These courts do not dismiss a driver's tickets even after he/she takes and completes the course for defensive driving. Instead, the drivers are supposed to submit a driving record along with the course completion certificate in order to get their tickets dismissed.

How long is a defensive driving class in Texas?

I hate having to say this, but yes, a defensive driving class in Texas really will take you 6 hours. This is even the case if you take your defensive driving course online.

Why do people take defensive driving courses in Texas?

Basically, these programs instruct you on how to drive more alertly and more safely. The benefits are numerous and include:

What is an approved defensive driving course?

Approved Course. Approved Course is a Houston-based online defensive driving course in Texas. This is by far one of the easiest online defensive driving courses you can sign up for in Texas for 2021. I’m not sure exactly what it is about Approved Course that makes it so easy, but this course is simple to pass.

How to notify the court of a defensive driving course in Texas?

Instructions will be provided by your defensive driving school, but once you complete a course, you will be mailed a certificate of completion. You must then either mail that certificate of completion into the court in which is handling your case, or you can go in-person to the court clerk’s office and hand it in that way.

What is a go to traffic school?

Go To Traffic School is a defensive driving course in Texas that has been around since literally the 1990’s. They first started by offering home-based defensive driving programs that were sent through the mail using VHS tapes and booklets. As time progressed, they began to change their business model, and in the early 2000’s they began offering their home-based defensive driving course online in Texas.

Is Get Defensive online?

Get Defensive is yet again, an online defensive driving class in Texas that has been approved for over two decades. This course guarantees to be the cheapest, and after going through it personally, I can say with certainty that it is extremely easy. For some reason, the quizzes in this course seem even easier than the other ones (which is saying a lot. Unlike some of the other courses on this list, this defensive driving school is focused solely on the state of Texas.

Do defensive driving schools charge hidden fees?

YES!! Defensive driving schools in Texas are notorious for tacking on hidden fees and costs, especially at the end of the course. Below are some of the most commonly seen hidden fees with online defensive driving schools.

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News and Updates

  • Driver Education and Driver Safety Courses Must Include Information About Passing Certain Veh…
    May 13, 2022 House Bill 3319,87th Legislative Session, requires that Driver Education and Driving Safety (DES) curricula include “Information Relating to Passing Certain Vehicles.” Effective Sept. 1, 2022, each driver education course or driving safety course must meet the requirements of Secti…
  • Driver Education and Driver Safety Courses Must Include Information Relating to Street Racing
    May 13, 2022 House Bill 3212, 87th Legislative Session, requires that Driver Education and Driving Safety (DES) curricula include “Information Relating to Street Racing.” Effective September 1, 2021, each driver education course and driving safety course must meet the requirements of Se…
See more on tdlr.texas.gov

Advisory Committee Meetings

  • March 15, 2022
    The Driver Training and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee metMarch 15, 2022 via videoconference. The meeting was archived and is avalable on TDLR’s YouTube channel. The agenda and staff reportsare available online.
See more on tdlr.texas.gov

Additional Information

  • The Driver Education and Safety program at the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is comprised of the licensing and regulation of businesses known as Driver Education Schools, Parent Taught Driver Education programs, Driving Safety Course Providers, Driving Safety Schools and Instructors. Driver Education provides the basic skills and training required by law t…
See more on tdlr.texas.gov