Can I Take the Course?
A defendant charged with a moving traffic violation under the state law may be eligible to take a driving safety course in order to have the ticket dismissed and not appear on the permanent driving record. If a ticket is dismissed under this provision, it will not appear as a conviction on the driving record and according to state law, should not affect insurance premiums.

In order to take a driving safety course, a defendant must first have permission of the court to do so. To determine eligibility, a driving safety course must not have been taken 12 months prior to the date of the citation. It is the defendant's responsibility to determine if he is eligible to take a course.

If eligibility is determined, he must: 

• Enter a plea of no contest or guilty
• Pay applicable state court costs and administrative fees.
• Present a valid Texas driver's license
• Present valid insurance with the defendant's name on the policy

Dismissal Guidelines
Not all offenses under the Texas Transportation Code are subject to dismissal upon completion of a driving safety course. A driver will not be eligible to have a charge dismissed by completing a driving safety course if: 

• The alleged moving violation has occurred in a construction zone with workers present
• The alleged speed is 25 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit
• The alleged violation is passing a school bus while loading or unloading students
• The driver holds a commercial driver's license

Defendants 16 years of age or younger must make a formal court appearance in front of a judge with a parent or legal guardian in order to request permission to take a driving safety course.

Persons other than juveniles may make arrangements to take a driving safety course between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, either on or before the scheduled court date. If the request is not made by the court date, a person may lose his option to take the course.

Permission by Mail
Permission to take a driving safety course may also be requested by mail. To complete the request by mail, send the following:

• A copy of insurance card with defendant's name on policy (not original)
• A copy of valid Texas driver's license
• Signed and notarized affidavit (print copy)

Additional Information
Applicable state court costs and administrative fees are $107 or $132 if the offense is in a school zone. The receipt, an application for a driving record, and the deadline for taking class and turning in documents will be returned to the address on the citation.

The original Certificate of Completion and Driving Record (TYPE 3A) must be returned to the court by the due date assigned by the court. Failure to take the course and turn in the documents by the due date may result in a conviction being entered and payment of the remaining balance becoming due.

The driving record may also be ordered online from Licensee Driver Records.