Driving Safety Courses
If you are charged with a traffic offense under the Subtitle C, you may ask the Court, on or before the appearance date to take a driving safety course. If you were operating a motorcycle and request to take a driving safety course, you must take a motorcycle operator's training course. Request for a Safety Driving course must be made prior to signing or taking a course. At the time of the request, you must do the following:
- Present valid Texas Driver's License (CDL holders are not eligible for Defensive Driving);
- Present proof of financial responsibility (liability insurance);
- Plead guilty or nolo contendere(no contest); and
- Pay court costs and an administration fee.
- It is your responsibility to ensure that payments are made in sufficient time to meet required deadlines.
Prosecution of the traffic offense will be postponed for 90 days to allow you time to complete the course. You are required to attend or do online 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.
You are eligible to request this course if you:
Have not taken a driving safety course within the 12 months preceding the date of the offense;
- Are not currently taking the Driving Safety course for another traffic violation;
- Have not committed the offense of speeding 25 mph over the speed limit; and
- Have not committed one of the following offenses:
- Failure to Give Information at Accident Scene;
- Leaving Scene of Accident;
- Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer;
- Reckless Driving; or
- Passing a School Bus.
- Course must be certified by the Texas Education Agency.
Prior to the end of the 90-day period, you must present the signed original Course Completion Certificate and a copy of your Driving Record.
