how to pass defensive driving course in tx

by Lupe Towne 7 min read

  • Before taking the defensive driving course, you must remit cash, check or money order to pay court costs and applicable fees, and submit a completed Driving Safety Course Affidavit. ...
  • Defensive driving can only be approved if a plea of guilty or no contest is entered with the court.
  • You must have a valid Texas driver’s license.

More items...

Full Answer

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. ...

How often can you take defensive driving in Texas?

You can take a Texas defensive driving course if you meet the following conditions:

  • You have not taken a defensive driving course within the past 12 months.
  • Do not have a commercial driver’s license (CDL)
  • Are not currently taking a defensive driving course for a different violation.

What is the best defensive driving course?

The 7 Best Online Defensive Driving Courses In Texas For 2021

  1. Aceable. Aceable is without a doubt the best online defensive driving course in Texas for 2021. ...
  2. iDriveSafely. iDriveSafely has been around for years and has consistently received positive reviews from its users.
  3. Approved Course. ...
  4. Go To Traffic School. ...
  5. Improv Traffic School. ...
  6. Get Defensive. ...
  7. A Sense Of Humor Defensive Driving Course. ...

Why to take a defensive driving 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. ...

How long is a defensive driving class in Texas?

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

Why do drivers need to be in a safety program?

What are the benefits of completing traffic school in Texas?

What is driver education in Texas?

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

What factors influence driving behavior?

See more

About this website

How long does it take to complete Texas defensive driving 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.

What is the easiest defensive driving course in Texas?

Quick List Of The 8 Best Texas Defensive Driving Online Courses For 2022iDriveSafely – Most popular.Approved Course – Easiest course.Aceable – Best on mobile-devices.Improv Traffic School – Most entertaining.

How long is online defensive driving course Texas?

6 hoursOur Texas online defensive driving course meets the state-required length of 6 hours. You may work through the course all in one day, or spread it out over a longer period of time.

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.

Can I take a defensive driving course online in Texas?

Our TDLR-approved Texas Online Defensive Driving course satisfies all court requirements for ticket dismissal. You could even save up to 10% on your auto insurance if your provider offers a defensive driving discount. The defensive driving course takes just six hours to complete, and many students finish it in one day.

Which online defensive driving course is easiest?

#1: iDriveSafely iDriveSafely is my top recommended easiest online traffic school for 2022. They've been around since before online traffic school even existed.

How many modules are in the defensive driving course Texas?

6 modules6 modules make up this course: Module 1 — Your License to Drive. Module 2 — Right-of-Way. Module 3 — Traffic Control Devices.

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.

Does defensive driving dismiss ticket in Texas?

Most minor citations can be dismissed with a defensive driving course. 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.

How long do tickets stay on your record in Texas?

three yearsIn Texas, a traffic ticket stays on your driver's record for three years after your conviction. Along with a record of the violation, the points associated with the ticket also remain for three years.

How much is defensive driving online Texas?

$25.00Best cheap online defensive driving courses in TexasProviderClass formatPriceDriversEd.comOnline, classroom$25.00I Drive SafelyOnline, video$25.00MyImprov Comedy Defensive DrivingOnline, classroom$25.00Driving UniversityOnline$25.008 more rows•Jan 11, 2022

How do you get a speeding ticket dismissed in Texas?

Here are five steps to dismissing your Texas traffic ticket:You must have a non-commercial driver's license.You must admit guilt or plead no contest (nolo contendere)The citation must be for driving within 25 miles per hour of the posted limit.Your citation does not involve an infraction in a construction zone.More items...•

Why do you need defensive driving in Texas?

In Texas, there are many reasons to complete an approved defensive driving course, including to: Remove points from your driving record. Reduce your car insurance rates. Fulfill a traffic court or Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requirement. Become a safer driver. There are different types of traffic school/defensive driving courses you ...

What does defensive driving cover?

While specifics vary based on your course provider, Texas defensive driving will typically cover: Texas road rules and regulations. Habits of safe drivers. Road signs and symbols. Driving techniques for hazardous conditions. Texas drunk driving laws and penalties.

What to do if you didn't receive notification of a traffic ticket?

If you didn't receive notification, check with the court before you enroll in traffic school . Generally, to be eligible for defensive driving for a ticket, you will need to meet the following requirements: You were not driving a commercial vehicle when you received the traffic ticket.

How long does it take to get a traffic ticket dismissed in Texas?

If you have received a traffic citation in Texas and wish to dismiss the ticket and keep it off your driving record, you'll need to take an approved ticket dismissal defensive driving course and complete it within 90 days of entering a plea.

What to do if you are cited for a seatbelt violation in Texas?

If you have been cited for a seat belt violation, your local Texas traffic court judge may order you to complete a seat belt course. Be sure to enroll in a TEA-approved course in order to fulfill this requirement.

Do you need a final exam to get a defensive driving license?

Your defensive driving course length can vary by provider and you may be required to pass a final exam before earning a certificate of completion. Your defensive driving certificate is what you will need to provide your traffic court or car insurance company to earn your ticket dismissal or insurance discount.

Does insurance give discounts for defensive driving?

In some cases, your insurance company may not offer discounts for completing traffic school/defensive driving. If you are looking for a new car insurance provider, you should ask if they provide safe drivers discounts for defensive driving course completion.

Are you eligible to take a Defensive Driving Course and dismiss your ticket?

Your traffic citation usually provides details on how to apply to get your ticket dismissed. You need to plead no contest or guilty with your traffic court and pay any court fees. You must then request permission to take a defensive driving course to dismiss your ticket.

What is the difference between a Defensive Driving Course and Driving Safety Course?

There is sometimes confusion between the terms defensive driving course and driving safety course. In Texas, the official term for the course that can help dismiss your traffic citation is Six Hour Driving Safety Course. In several other states the course is referred to as Defensive Driving Course.

How to choose the Best Defensive Driving Course?

In the state of Texas nearly 5 million speeding tickets are issued each year. So, getting a speeding ticket in Texas is something every driver has been through at some point. About 10% of these unlucky drivers turn their fate around and get their ticket dismissed by taking a defensive driving course.

Final thoughts on Defensive Driving Course

In my opinion no one takes a defensive driving course by choice. Most people are forced into it because they are in an unfortunate situation of getting issued a speeding ticket or a traffic citation. Therefore, it is important that you carefully look at all the options available to you.

How much does a defensive driving course cost in Texas?

The state of Texas regulates pricing for online defensive driving schools by setting a minimum price they are allowed to charge. That price is $25. The vast majority of Texas state-approved online defensive driving schools sell their course at the state-minimium, but you may find a few that charge more than $25.

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 long does defensive driving school last?

Make sure you read the fine print for whatever defensive driving course you sign up for, but in general, online defensive driving school will expire 90 days after you first start the coursework. Once 90 days is up, you will be locked out of the course and you will need to pay for another one.

How far ahead of time do you have to take defensive driving?

All you need to do is either complete your defensive driving course at least 2 weeks ahead of your due date or call the court clerk’s office in the district you received your traffic ticket to get an extension. In most cases, all you have to do is ask and they give you one with no problems.

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 defensive driving online in Texas?

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.

Is iDriveSafely a good online defensive driving course?

You can either take the traditional text-based course, or you can opt for the video-based course. If you want a legitimate Texas online defensive driving course that has proven themselves over a 20-year history, then iDriveSafely is a safe bet. In fact, they guarantee you’ll be satisfied or you get your money back.

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 get a defensive driving certificate in Texas?

The final step to submitting a defensive driving certificate in Texas is to follow up with the court to make sure your certificate was received and processed. Request a written confirmation so you will have a clean paper trail.

Why do Texas drivers take defensive driving courses?

Many Texas drivers use a defensive driving course to dismiss a traffic ticket. This keeps the ticket from impacting your permanent driving record and keeps your auto insurance rates from increasing.

How to submit a defensive driving certificate?

If you are submitting your defensive driving certificate in-person: Take the original certificate with you and leave a copy at home. Take a receipt or payment confirmation from your traffic ticket payment. Take your driver’s license or other valid photo ID with you.

What happens if you don't pay your defensive driving ticket?

Pay your ticket early to avoid delays. If you fail to pay your ticket before the deadline, your ticket will probably not get dismissed, even if you submit the defensive driving certificate correctly.

How to get a ticket dismissed for minor traffic violations?

Step 1: Make Sure You are Eligible for a Defensive Driving Course. Most tickets for minor traffic violations can be dismissed with a defensive driving course as long as you don’t have a commercial driver’s license and haven’t taken the course in the last six months.

How long does it take to get a notice of a defensive driving violation in Texas?

You will get a notice from the Texas court system within a few weeks after your violation to confirm whether you’re eligible to take the defensive driving course to dismiss the ticket. At this point, you should also confirm that an online course is acceptable. Some more serious violations can’t be dismissed through a defensive driving course.

Can you complete defensive driving online?

When you complete your course, you’ll receive the defensive driving certificate that you can provide to the courts. Check to see if there is a place for your signature on the certificate. If there is, sign the certificate to validate it.

I Just Got a Ticket. Can I Take Defensive Driving?

Step one in the getting rid of your ticket dance is to make sure if your situation or circumstance makes it OK to even ask.

How Long is a Texas Defensive Driving Course?

The TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation) requires all defensive driving classes to be six hours in length. Before the very thought of facing six hours of something you don’t want to do makes you throw up your hands and “just say NO,” let me tell you that it won’t be as bad as it sounds.

How Long Will the Court Give Me to Complete the Course?

In nearly every jurisdiction, drivers are given 90 days in which to complete a defensive driving course and return their documentation to the court. Besides a certificate of completion from the course provider and any court generated paperwork, you will likely also have to submit a copy of your driving record.

How Many Times Can I Take Defensive Driving?

The law says that you can take defensive driving once every twelve months for ticket dismissal purposes. Because of this, I suppose your answer comes down to how much longer you depend on driving.

Can I Take Defensive Driving Without a Ticket?

Absolutely. In fact, it would be the better way to go. With potential insurance savings of 2-10%, taking a defensive driving course voluntarily is a smart use of your time. Spending $25.00 for a course could earn you $25.00 an hour for the six hours you’ll spend taking the course.

Approved Texas Defensive Driving Courses Are Not Created Equal!

We’ve gone through all of the above approved Texas defensive driving courses and gave them star ratings so you could quickly determine which defensive driving courses we recommend. With that said, we always recommend you do your own research. What exactly should you look for?

Texas Defensive Driving Courses FAQs

If your goal is to get your traffic ticket dismissed, you are only allowed to take the course in Texas once every year. However, you can always take it as a refresher anytime you want without limits.

Conclusion

So if you’re taking a defensive driving course in Texas, make sure to look into these online traffic schools.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What factors influence driving behavior?

Factors that influence driving behavior, such as alcohol and mood. Driving in hazardous conditions. Defensive driving techniques. Handling automobile issues and emergencies. Furthermore, motorists are not usually required to take a final exam to complete a driver improvement course in Texas.

image