Driving Safety Course

DRIVING SAFETY COURSE REQUIREMENTS             (read carefully)

A request to take a driving safety course in lieu of paying the fine for a moving violation must be made in person, by counsel, or by certified mail before your appearance date on your citation.

At the time of the request you must do the following: (1) Plead guilty or nolo contendere (2) Present copy of your valid Texas driver’s license and copy of your valid proof of financial responsibility (liability insurance) and (3) Pay court fees.  NOTE: Although payment of the fine is not required,  court fees due the State must be paid before being allowed to take a driving safety course to have a violation dismissed.

The case will be postponed for 90 days to allow you time to complete the course. You must attend a driving safety course that has been approved by the Texas Education Agency or a motorcycle operator's course approved by the Department of Public Safety if the traffic offense occurred while operating a motorcycle.

You are eligible to request this course if you:
(1) Have not requested and taken a driving safety course or motorcycle operator course for a traffic offense within the last 12 months;
(2) Are not currently taking the course for another traffic violation dismissal,
(3) Do not hold a Commercial Drivers License;
(4) Have not committed one of the following offenses:

(A) Failure to Give Information at Accident Scene;
(B) Leaving scene of accident;
(C) Fleeing or attempting to elude police officer;
(D) Reckless driving;
(E) Passing a school bus;
(F) A serious traffic violation;
(G) An offense in a construction maintenance zone when workers are present;
(H) Speeding 25 mph or more over limit.

On or before 90 days from the appearance date you will be required to present to the Court the following:

(1) A certified copy of your Driving Record as maintained by DPS (Type 3A);
(2) A certificate of completion of the Driving Safety Course;

If you do not take the course in the time required and/or fail to present the Court with a certificate of completion and a certified copy of the driving record the court will notify you to return to court and explain why you failed to do these things. If you have a good reason why you were unable to present your proof with the time required, the judge may, but is not required to, grant you an extension. Your failure to be present at that hearing will result in a warrant for your arrest being issued. An additional charge may also be filed.

Driving Safety Request Form - English