Defensive Driving

Overview

Your violation may be dismissed by the successful completion of a driving safety course or a motorcycle operator training course. The offense must involve a moving violation, and you must meet the eligibility criteria below. You are required to make your request on or before your first appearance date or within 20 working days from the date of your citation. Only sign up for a class after you receive an order from the court granting your request.

If you fail to complete the driving safety course and provide the proper proof, you will be required to appear for a show-cause hearing. If you fail to appear at this hearing, a conviction of the offense will appear on that person's driving record.

Eligibility Criteria

  • You must enter a plea of “guilty” or “no contest”
  • You must pay the administrative fee and State costs, plus any additional fees. They range from $144-169
  • You must contact the court clerk’s office to find out exactly how much you must pay
  • You are not eligible to take a driver safety course for the current violation if you have taken a driver safety course within the past 12 months. If you are an active military member, you are not eligible if you have taken a driver's safety course within the past 12 months in any state
  • You must have a valid Texas Driver's License. If you are an active military member, proof of active service replaces the Texas Driver's License requirement
  • If you are charged with a speeding violation, the alleged speed cannot be more than 24 mph over the speed limit 
  • You cannot hold a commercial driver’s license or have held a commercial driver’s license at the time of the offense
  • You are ineligible for a driving safety course if the offense occurred in a construction zone when workers were present
  • You must provide current proof of financial responsibility, showing yourself as the policyholder or as a listed driver
  • Drivers license and proof of insurance must be presented in paper form  

Register

  1. Make your request in person, by mail, or through Farmers Branch eCourt. 

    If you opt to mail your request, please include your payment, proof of insurance and a valid Texas Driver's License.
    The mailing address is as follows:
    3723 Valley View Ln.
    Farmers Branch, TX 75244
  2. Once your request is approved, you will receive a packet of information on what you need to submit back to the court and by when. Do not begin the process of your course or other requirements without first receiving this packet.
  3. Your packet will contain submission instructions. You will be required to submit the following to the court for dismissal. Please note that you do not need item number three if you completed your initial setup in person.
  • Certified certificate of completion from a TDLR-approved course. It requires your signature
  • Certified copy of your driving record (number 3A) from the Texas Department of Public Safety
  • Notarized affidavit. If you set up your request in person, you already completed this and it is already on file