Texas guide

How to dismiss a Texas traffic ticket with defensive driving

If you got a traffic ticket in Texas, you may be able to keep it off your record by taking a TDLR-approved driving safety course. When you meet every condition below, the judge must allow it. Miss one and the court can refuse, even if you have already finished a course.

  • 2 min read
  • 4 sections
  • Cites official state sources

Check that you're eligible

Under Article 45A.352 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, you must meet all of these conditions:

  • You hold a Texas driver's license or permit, or you are on active duty in the U.S. military (or are the spouse or dependent child of someone who is).
  • You have not completed an approved driving safety course in the 12 months before the date of this offense. The 12 months run from the day you finished the earlier course to the date on your current citation.
  • On or before the answer date on your notice to appear, you plead guilty or no contest and ask the court for the course. You can ask in person or through a lawyer, by certified mail with return receipt requested, or through the court's email address or online portal if it has one.
  • Your charge is eligible. Speeding does not qualify if you were going 95 mph or more, or 25 mph or more over the posted limit.
  • You show proof of financial responsibility, which usually means your insurance card.

Sources: Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 45A, Subchapter H; SB 296, 89th Legislature (effective September 1, 2025)

More than one ticket from the same stop

Since September 1, 2025, one course can cover every eligible offense that came out of the same traffic stop. Before that date, a court could dismiss only one charge per course.

Sources: SB 296, 89th Legislature (effective September 1, 2025); TDLR notice on SB 296

Step by step

  1. Call the court listed on your citation. Confirm that your charge is eligible and ask how they want you to request the course.
  2. Request the course by your answer date. Do this before you enroll, not after.
  3. Complete a TDLR-approved course. Ours is provider license #CP1242.
  4. Order a certified Type 3A driving record. DPS sells it for $10.00 and does not issue driver records in person. The uncertified Type 3 and the three-year Type 2A are not accepted for this.
  5. File both with the court. Send your completion certificate and your Type 3A by the deadline the court gives you.

Sources: Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 45A, Subchapter H; Texas DPS, How to Order a Driver Record

What we can and can't promise

The court decides whether your ticket is dismissed, based on your charge, your driving record and its own procedures. We can promise that our course is approved by TDLR. We can't promise that every Texas court will dismiss every ticket.

Source: Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 45A, Subchapter H

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