5 Steps to Dismissing Your Texas Traffic Ticket - Defensive Driving (2024)

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Defensive Driving | in Defensive Driving Tips

The State of Texas allows anyone one traffic ticket dismissal within a given 12-month period. Here are five steps to dismissing your Texas traffic ticket:

  1. You must have a non-commercial driver’s license
  2. You must admit guilt or plead no contest (nolo contendere)
  3. The citation must be for driving within 25 miles per hour of the posted limit
  4. Your citation does not involve an infraction in a construction zone
  5. Your court must give you permission to takea certified defensive driving course.

5 Steps to Dismissing Your Texas Traffic Ticket - Defensive Driving (1)

Court Permission

Contacting the court indicated on the back of your citation will help you avoid delays in processing. Seeking court permission will also help to avoid added expenses and repeatingthe course.

Don’t Forget the Details

If the municipal court or the justice of the peace charges a court fee for you to take a driving safety course, and if they require you to obtain a copy of your driving record from the Department of Public Safety (DPS), those fees are in addition to the price that you will pay for the driving safety course.

For more information on dismissal of tickets the transportation code on the Harris County Justice of the Peace Courts website defines the Texas statute in detail.

Take the number 1 rated defensive driving course since 2000 for state and court approved traffic ticket dismissal for insurance premium discounts and more by registering today: www.defensivedriving.com

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5 Steps to Dismissing Your Texas Traffic Ticket - Defensive Driving (2024)

FAQs

5 Steps to Dismissing Your Texas Traffic Ticket - Defensive Driving? ›

If you want to get your speeding ticket or other traffic violation dismissed, you will need to complete a defensive driving course. You may also be required to get a Type 3A driver record. We offer a discount on driving records when purpose along with our defensive driving course.

How do I remove a ticket from my driving record in Texas? ›

If you want to get your speeding ticket or other traffic violation dismissed, you will need to complete a defensive driving course. You may also be required to get a Type 3A driver record. We offer a discount on driving records when purpose along with our defensive driving course.

Can a ticket be dismissed in Texas? ›

If you have received a speeding ticket in Texas, a Houston traffic ticket, or any other traffic citation in the state of Texas, you may be eligible to complete a defensive driving course to dismiss your violation. If you choose not to dismiss your traffic citation, your driving record could suffer!

How do I get out of a traffic ticket in Texas? ›

Ways to Fight a Traffic Ticket in Texas

Submitting a not-guilty plea can be done in person or via mail. A hearing date is then selected by the court, where the accused motorist can argue his or her case before a judge.

How do you complete defensive driving in Texas? ›

How to Complete Texas Defensive Driving in 5 Steps
  1. Step 1 - Make Sure You Are Eligible. ...
  2. Step 2 - Ask Permission from Your Court. ...
  3. Step 3 - Choose a Defensive Driving Course. ...
  4. Step 4 – Finish the Course by Your Court Deadline. ...
  5. Step 5 – Bring the Course Completion Certificate to Your Court.

Does defensive driving remove tickets from record in Texas? ›

Whatever the reason, you've got yourself a traffic ticket and you would like to pay as little as possible while avoiding long term complications to your driver record. Enter a TDLR approved defensive driving course, you're best chance to make that traffic ticket go away with no permanent damage to your driving record.

Does defensive driving remove points in Texas? ›

Everybody makes mistakes, but it will take 12 consecutive months of driving without a violation for the Texas DPS to remove one point. But there's another option for reducing points on your driving record. Drivers can take a TDLR-approved defensive driving course to get points removed from there license.

How do I dismiss a speeding ticket with defensive driving in Texas? ›

In most cases, simply contact the Court Clerk at the phone number listed on the back of the traffic ticket and ask if you can complete a defensive driving course to dismiss your citation. The court will provide ample time to complete a driver safety course.

How often can you take defensive driving in Texas to dismiss a ticket? ›

How often can you take defensive driving in Texas? You can take a defensive driving course in Texas once every year for ticket dismissal. Insurance discounts for defensive driving courses expire every three years.

Can I just pay my ticket and not go to court in Texas? ›

Most traffic offenses do not require a court appearance. You're given the option of either paying the fine or appearing in court to contest the case on or before a certain date. A few offenses do require an appearance.

What is the best defense for a speeding ticket? ›

Common defenses that could help you fight the charges include:
  • Necessity. If you had to speed to avoid a serious accident, you may be able to argue that you had no choice but to speed. ...
  • No posted speed limit. ...
  • Not speeding. ...
  • Radar gun inaccuracy. ...
  • Speedometer calibration. ...
  • GPS. ...
  • Not the person driving.

How to prove you weren't speeding? ›

Present evidence.

You will need to present evidence in order to raise reasonable doubt that you were actually speeding. A judge will be most impressed with evidence other than your own memories of the event. If you have photographs or witnesses, then use them.

How much is a $20 over speeding ticket in Texas? ›

Tiered Speed Limit Fines

15-19 miles per hour over speed limit: $240. 20-29 miles per hour over speed limit: $265. 30 miles or more per hour over speed limit: $300.

What are the steps of defensive driving? ›

Following these defensive driving tips can help reduce your risk behind the wheel:
  1. Think safety first. ...
  2. Be aware of your surroundings — pay attention. ...
  3. Do not depend on other drivers. ...
  4. Follow the 3- to 4-second rule. ...
  5. Keep your speed down. ...
  6. Have an escape route. ...
  7. Separate risks. ...
  8. Cut out distractions.

How does Texas defensive driving work? ›

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.

Does defensive driving reduce ticket cost in Texas? ›

It is also worth mentioning that in most cases, even though you will still be required to pay a court fee when you choose defensive driving to take care of your ticket, it is still usually less expensive than paying for the ticket. For many folks, it is not about the money, it is more about the time.

How long does it take for a ticket to come off your record in Texas? ›

A speeding ticket in Texas will remain on your driving record. Car insurance companies can apply a surcharge for up to three years after the moving violation.

How long does an unpaid ticket stay on your record in Texas? ›

Texas does not disclose how long tickets stay on your record. Tickets on your Texas driving record can affect your driver's license points, driving privileges, and car insurance rates.

How long do tickets stay on your record in the state of Texas? ›

How Long Does a Traffic Ticket Stay on Your Record in Texas? In Texas, tickets may remain on a record for up to 3 years. The Texas Transportation Code allows points associated with a driver's record to stay for three years. Insurance companies increase auto insurance rates while these points last.

How long does a driving record last in Texas? ›

All points stay on your Texas driving record for three years from the conviction date. Drivers can check for points on their Texas driving records any time by visiting the Department of Public Safety Licensee Driver Records website.

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