how to take defensive driving course texas

by Isabella Wiegand 4 min read

  • 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. ...
  • Mail or bring to court all of the required documents and forms. ...
  • Enroll in and complete your TDLR-approved defensive driving course. Be aware that you may be required to complete the course by a certain date; while the course is self-paced, you’ll ...
  • After you’ve completed your course, mail / bring the following documents to your court: Your I Drive Safely certificate of completion An official copy of your Texas driving record Once ...

How to Take a Texas Defensive Driving Course
  1. Contact your court and request permission to take a defensive driving course. ...
  2. Mail or bring to court all of the required documents and forms. ...
  3. Enroll in and complete your TDLR-approved defensive driving course.

Full Answer

Why should I take a Texas defensive driving course?

In order to take a defensive driving class in Texas, you must: Possess a valid non-commercial Texas driver license or permit Have not dismissed a traffic ticket within the past 12 months Have admitted guilt or sign a statement that you do not contest the citation If …

How often can you take defensive driving in Texas?

In Texas, defensive driving can be completed in person at a commercial driving school, or it can be completed from a Texas Education Agency (TEA)-approved online provider. Both classroom and online defensive driving can provide valuable driving safety tips, but many drivers have found the online option to be more convenient.

What is the best defensive driving course?

With DefensiveDriving.com, we ensure that you can take a traffic course that fits with your schedule, not the other way around. You can take it on your computer, your phone, or your tablet, in Austin or across the globe, and you can start and stop as needed. You Can Take the Course the Way You Want to

Why to take a defensive driving course?

Mar 23, 2021 · DriversEd.com offers the shortest course in Texas. And since it’s online, you can complete the course around your schedule, from the comfort of home. 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.

How do I take the defensive driving course online in Texas?

It's as easy as A, B, C.Click the "Order Combo" button and register for the course and your driving record.Complete the FAST & EASY Course.Take your Course Completion Certificate and Driving Record to the Court for ticket dismissal.

How much does a defensive driving course cost in Texas?

$25.00When you need to take a Defensive Driving course, the state of Texas requires the minimum price be $25.00.

How long does it take to complete Texas defensive driving course?

6 hoursTexas. The Texas Driving Safety Course's entire course duration is 6 hours. This includes the breaks in between lessons that accumulate to 60 minutes in total.

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 is Texas defensive driving course online?

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 many times can I take defensive driving in Texas?

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. The convenience is you can take a defensive driving course online.

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.

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.

Which online defensive driving course is best?

#1 Defensive Driving Course ProviderIDriveSafely is one of the oldest defensive driving brands in the business. ... IDriveSafely.com has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). ... Take an IDriveSafely Course.Take a DriversEd.com Course.Take a MyImprov Course.Take ApprovedCourse Defensive Driving.More items...•Dec 21, 2021

Can I do a driving course instead of points?

Speed awareness courses are four to five-hour long education sessions for people caught speeding. They're offered as an alternative to points on your licence. It's like going back on an intensive, theoretical driving lesson where you're retaught the dangers of speeding or dangerous driving.Mar 15, 2013

How old can you be to take defensive driving in Texas?

And if you are under the age of 18, you can expect the court to require you to take the defensive driving course.May 27, 2021

Can a 17 year old take defensive driving in Texas?

Teen drivers under the age of 18 who are convicted of a traffic offense may be required by their court to take a defensive driving course. The good news is by taking a course, you will dismiss the ticket and the points, preventing a costly insurance rate hike.

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.

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 dismissing a ticket increase your insurance?

Dismissing a ticket will also prevent your car insurance rates from increasing as a result of your citation and you'll remove points from your driving record. Check with the Texas DMV to check how many times you can complete this course to dismiss a traffic ticket.

A Defensive Driving Course That Is Texas State Approved

No matter if you live in Austin, Houston or El Paso, there are a lot of advantages to living in Texas and you don't need us to tell you how great this state is.

You Can Take the Course the Way You Want to

As well as being completely mobile and tablet friendly, DefensiveDriving.com's Texas course allows each driver to choose between a video or a text option — which means that you can choose between reading through text or watching a video to better suit the way that you like to learn.

Defensive Driving Is A Step Above the Rest

If you don't already have reason enough to go with DefensiveDriving.com to get your ticket dismissed, there are a few other features of our course that truly set us apart from the rest. As well as being a convenient and quick online driving course, we also offer the fastest certificate delivery options.

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 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.

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.

What Our Students Say

It was great. The videos made sure I didn’t get bored with the material and kept me focused on learning.

FAQs

Our online defensive driving, Texas course can help you in a few ways. You can dismiss a traffic ticket, satisfy a court seat belt course requirement or receive an insurance discount.

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.

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.

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