Texas 6-Hour Driver Safety Course — Frequently Asked Questions

The Texas driving safety course (also called defensive driving, or DSC) is a TDLR-approved course with two main uses: getting an eligible traffic ticket dismissed, and a possible auto insurance discount. DDI’s course has 6 hours of content, at your own pace, and covers Texas traffic laws, defensive driving and the topics Texas requires. It is not driver education, which is for new drivers getting their first license.

Source: TDLR, Taking a Driving Safety (Defensive Driving) Course; CCP Arts. 45A.351–45A.359

A driving safety course (DSC) is for licensed drivers seeking ticket dismissal or insurance discounts. A driver education course is for new drivers learning to drive for the first time to obtain their initial license. The two are governed by different sections of the Texas Education Code and have different curricula, durations, and purposes. DDI’s Texas course is a driving safety course — not driver education.

Source: Tex. Educ. Code Chapter 1001 (governs both DSC and driver education under separate subchapters)

Anyone can take the course, for example for a possible insurance discount. To use it to dismiss a ticket, Texas law says you must:

• have a Texas driver’s license or permit, or be on active duty in the U.S. military (or be the spouse or dependent child of someone who is)
• not have completed a driving safety course in the 12 months before the date of the offense
• ask the court on or before the answer date on your ticket, and plead guilty or no contest
• show proof of insurance
• have an eligible offense (see the next answers)

CDL holders can’t use the course to dismiss a ticket.

Source: CCP Arts. 45A.351(c), 45A.352(a)

CDL holders can take the course, for example for a possible insurance discount (ask your insurer), but they can’t use it to dismiss a ticket. Texas law leaves out anyone who holds a commercial driver’s license, or held one when the offense happened, whatever vehicle they were driving.

Source: CCP Art. 45A.351(c)

Under Texas law, the course isn’t available for:

• speeding 95 mph or more, or 25 mph or more over the posted limit
• passing a stopped school bus (Transp. Code § 545.066)
• leaving the scene of a crash, or not doing what the law requires after a crash (Transp. Code §§ 550.022, 550.023)
• serious traffic violations
• offenses in a work zone when workers are present (Transp. Code § 542.404)
• any ticket for someone who holds a CDL, or held one at the time

The ticket also has to be in a justice or municipal court and involve driving a vehicle. If you’re under 25, any moving violation in those courts can qualify. Your court can tell you whether your ticket qualifies.

Source: CCP Arts. 45A.351, 45A.352(a)(5), 45A.353

There’s no age limit for the course itself. To use it for a ticket, you need a Texas driver’s license or permit (or active-duty military status, as above). If you’re under 25, more tickets qualify: any moving violation in a justice or municipal court.

Source: CCP Arts. 45A.351(b), 45A.352(a)(2)

To dismiss a ticket, you need a Texas driver’s license or permit, or you must be on active duty in the U.S. military (or the spouse or dependent child of someone who is), wherever you’re stationed. If you have an out-of-state license and aren’t in the military, ask the court about your options before you sign up. For an insurance discount, ask your insurer.

Source: CCP Art. 45A.352(a)(2), (a)(3)(B)

On or before the answer date on your ticket, you ask the court for the course, plead guilty or no contest (in person or in writing), and show proof of insurance. The court enters judgment but puts it on hold, and gives you 90 days to finish the course and turn in your documents. If you do, the court removes the judgment and dismisses the charge, and the charge can’t be part of your driving record. The court reports to DPS that you completed a course, so the 12-month rule can be checked next time.

Source: CCP Arts. 45A.352(a), 45A.356(a), (c), 45A.357(a)

Within the 90 days, you turn in:

• your uniform certificate of course completion
• your Texas driving record from DPS showing you haven’t completed a course in the 12 months before the offense. DPS says the certified Type 3A record ($10) is the one to use. Some judges get your record themselves and charge you that fee instead.
• an affidavit saying you weren’t already taking a course when you asked, and haven’t completed one in the 12 months before the offense that isn’t on your record

If you’re active-duty military (or a spouse or dependent child) without a Texas license, you also sign an affidavit about courses in other states. If you need more time, ask the court before the deadline: it can allow more time for good cause.

Source: CCP Arts. 45A.355, 45A.356(a), 45A.359; Texas DPS, How to Order a Driver Record

You can’t use the course for a ticket if you completed a driving safety course in the 12 months before the date of the offense. The window is counted back from the offense date, not from when you finished your last course. Your driving record and your affidavit show the court you meet this rule. Active-duty military without a Texas license must not have completed a course in another state in that time.

Source: CCP Arts. 45A.352(a)(3), 45A.356(a)(2)–(4)

No. If you finish the course and turn everything in on time, the court dismisses the charge, and Texas law says a dismissed charge can’t be part of your driving record or used for any purpose. The court does tell DPS that you completed a course, and when, so courts can check the 12-month rule. Insurers can’t cancel your policy or raise your premium because you took the course or had the charge dismissed.

Source: CCP Arts. 45A.356(c), 45A.357

Ask the court first. TDLR says that to use the course for a ticket, you must first get notice from the court that you’re eligible. Once the court grants your request, you have 90 days to finish the course and turn in your documents.

Source: TDLR, Taking a Driving Safety Course; CCP Arts. 45A.352(a)(4), 45A.356(a)

The court mails you a notice to come to court and show why you didn’t turn in your documents. If you don’t appear, or can’t show good cause, the court finds you guilty and sentences you, and the conviction can go on your record. If you need more time, ask before the 90 days are up: the court can allow more time for good cause. Starting early helps.

Source: CCP Arts. 45A.355, 45A.356(e), (f)

Contact the court on your ticket on or before the answer date. Texas law lets you plead guilty or no contest and ask for the course in person, through a lawyer, or by certified mail (return receipt requested) postmarked by the answer date. Many courts also take requests online or by phone, so check with yours. You’ll need to show proof of insurance and your driver’s license, and pay the court costs and any course fee the court charges.

Source: CCP Arts. 45A.352(a)(4), (a)(6), 45A.358

Yes, guilty or no contest (nolo contendere). The court enters judgment but puts it on hold for 90 days. If you finish the course and turn in your documents on time, the court removes the judgment and dismisses the charge.

Source: CCP Arts. 45A.352(a)(4), 45A.356(a), (c)

Yes. Texas law requires you to present evidence of financial responsibility — meaning proof of auto liability insurance that complies with Chapter 601 of the Texas Transportation Code — when requesting a driving safety course from the court. If you cannot show valid insurance, the court may deny your DSC request. Make sure your insurance is current and bring your proof of insurance when you contact the court.

Source: CCP Art. 45A.352(a)(6)

Usually, yes. On top of court costs, the court can charge a fee of not more than $10 for a course request. Since September 1, 2025, one course can dismiss every eligible charge from the same traffic stop, and the court can charge that fee for each charge. If the court allows the course at its own discretion (for example, after you missed the answer date), it can charge a fine up to the maximum for the offense instead. Ask your court for the exact amount. DDI’s course is $25, paid to us.

Source: CCP Art. 45A.358; SB 296 (89th Leg., 2025)

It’s a certified copy of your Texas driving record from the Department of Public Safety (DPS). DPS says the Type 3A record is the only record type that can be used for a defensive driving course. It costs $10 from DPS, and you can order it online or by mail (DPS doesn’t do driving records in person). DDI doesn’t order it for you, so order it early so it’s ready before your 90-day deadline. Some judges get your record themselves and charge you the fee instead.

Source: Texas DPS, How to Order a Driver Record; CCP Arts. 45A.356(a)(2), 45A.359

It’s a sworn statement that you weren’t already taking a driving safety course for a ticket when you asked for this one, and that you haven’t completed one in the 12 months before the offense that isn’t shown on your driving record. Many courts give you the form, or you can get it from the court clerk. The court won’t dismiss the ticket without it.

Source: CCP Art. 45A.356(a)(3)

Texas law says to ask on or before the answer date on your ticket. If you missed it, the court can still allow the course before your case is closed, but it doesn’t have to, and it can charge a fine up to the maximum for the offense instead of the $10 fee. If your ticket didn’t tell you about the course, you keep the right to it until you’re told or the case is closed. Contact the court as soon as you can.

Source: CCP Arts. 45A.352(c), 45A.354(b), 45A.358(a)(2)

Yes, and you don’t need a ticket. In Texas, each insurer decides whether it gives a discount for a defensive driving course and how much. Ask your insurer before you start, then send them your certificate. By law, an insurer can’t cancel your policy or raise your premium because you took the course.

Source: Texas Department of Insurance, Auto insurance guide; CCP Art. 45A.357(b)

It depends on your insurer. The Texas Department of Insurance says each company decides what discounts to offer and the amount. Ask your insurer or agent for their number before you sign up.

Source: Texas Department of Insurance, Auto insurance guide

Ask your insurer. Each company sets its own rules for how long a course discount lasts and when you can take the course again to keep it.

Source: Texas Department of Insurance, Auto insurance guide

Taking the course for a ticket keeps the dismissed charge off your record, so it can’t be used against you, and your insurer can’t raise your premium because of it. Whether your insurer also gives a discount for that same course is up to the insurer, so ask them.

Source: CCP Art. 45A.357; Texas Department of Insurance, Auto insurance guide

Contact your insurer or agent and ask how they want to receive it. Once your certificate is processed, you can download it anytime from your DDI account, and we also email it to you, so you can send it however your insurer prefers.

Source: DDI Texas course; Texas Department of Insurance, Auto insurance guide

If you take the course for a ticket, the certificate goes to the court. Whether your insurer will also give a discount for that same course is up to the insurer, so ask them. Either way, they can’t raise your premium because you took the course or had the charge dismissed.

Source: CCP Art. 45A.357(b); Texas Department of Insurance, Auto insurance guide

TDLR stands for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. It is the state agency that oversees and regulates driving safety courses in Texas. TDLR is responsible for approving course providers, reviewing and approving course curricula, certifying instructors, and enforcing compliance with state regulations. Any driving safety course offered in Texas — whether online or in a classroom — must be approved by TDLR to be valid for ticket dismissal or insurance discount purposes.

Source: Tex. Educ. Code Chapter 1001; 16 TAC Ch. 84

These Texas laws and rules apply to driving safety courses:

• CCP Arts. 45A.351–45A.359 (formerly Art. 45.0511, recodified January 1, 2025): ticket dismissal with a driving safety course
• SB 296 (effective September 1, 2025): one course can dismiss every eligible charge from the same traffic stop
• Texas Education Code Chapter 1001: TDLR’s authority over driver and traffic safety education, including driving safety courses
• Tex. Educ. Code §§ 1001.102, 1001.106, 1001.107, 1001.108, 1001.109, 1001.110: required topics (alcohol awareness, railroad crossings, litter prevention, anatomical gifts, traffic stops, distractions)
• Texas Transportation Code § 543.116: delivery of the uniform certificate of course completion
• 16 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 84: TDLR’s rules for driving safety courses and providers, including § 84.505 for online courses

Source: CCP Arts. 45A.351–45A.359; SB 296; Tex. Educ. Code Ch. 1001; Tex. Transp. Code § 543.116; 16 TAC Ch. 84

TDLR’s rules for online courses call for 300 minutes of instruction plus 60 minutes of breaks or extra content: 6 hours in all, for every provider. DDI’s course has 6 hours of content, at your own pace.

Source: 16 TAC § 84.505(b)

Defensive Drivers Institute, LLC holds TDLR driving safety provider license CP1013. You can check it on TDLR’s license search.

Source: TDLR license search, CP1013

TDLR licenses providers, approves courses, sets the rules in 16 TAC Chapter 84, and can take action against providers that break them. For online courses, its rules require identity checks during the course and questions on each required topic.

Source: Tex. Educ. Code Ch. 1001; 16 TAC Ch. 84, § 84.505

Yes. On January 1, 2025, HB 4504 moved the driving safety course rules from Art. 45.0511 to Arts. 45A.351–45A.359. The rules carried over, and SB 296 later changed one of them: since September 1, 2025, one course can dismiss every eligible charge from the same traffic stop. Older court forms and websites may still cite 45.0511.

Source: HB 4504 (88th Leg.); SB 296 (89th Leg.); CCP Arts. 45A.351–45A.359

TDLR sets the curriculum, and Texas law requires certain topics. DDI’s course covers:

• alcohol and drug awareness
• Texas traffic laws
• highway signs, signals and markings
• common causes of crashes
• street racing
• human trafficking laws and awareness
• railroad crossing safety
• passing other vehicles
• litter prevention
• anatomical gifts (organ donation)

plus defensive driving strategies and the other topics TDLR requires.

Source: DDI Texas course, Introduction module; Tex. Educ. Code §§ 1001.102, 1001.106, 1001.107, 1001.108; 16 TAC Ch. 84

Texas law requires every driving safety course to include information on litter prevention. It’s a short, required part of the course.

Source: Tex. Educ. Code § 1001.107

Every TDLR-approved course has to cover the topics TDLR and Texas law require, and online courses follow the same TDLR rules. How the course looks and sounds is up to each provider. DDI’s lessons are narrated, with read-along text that highlights as it’s spoken.

Source: 16 TAC Ch. 84, § 84.505; DDI Texas course

Yes. The course covers Texas traffic laws and Texas highway signs, signals and markings, as Texas requires.

Source: DDI Texas course, Introduction module; 16 TAC Ch. 84

The course is split into modules. Lessons are narrated, with read-along text, and you can try the first module free. It has 6 hours of content, at your own pace, and your place is saved so you can take breaks. Along the way there are questions on each required topic and a few simple questions to confirm it’s you, and the course ends with a final exam.

Source: DDI Texas course; 16 TAC § 84.505(c), (e)

Yes, if the course is TDLR-approved. Texas law requires a TDLR-approved driving safety course, and TDLR’s rules cover online courses. Online courses issue the same uniform certificate of course completion. DDI’s course is TDLR-approved (license CP1013).

Source: CCP Art. 45A.352(a); 16 TAC § 84.505; TDLR license search

Yes. The course works on a computer, tablet or phone, in your web browser. Your progress saves, so you can stop and pick up later.

Source: DDI Texas course

Yes. The course has 6 hours of content, at your own pace. You can log out and come back, and your progress saves. If it’s for a ticket, finish and turn in your documents within the court’s 90 days.

Source: DDI Texas course; CCP Art. 45A.356(a)

With a few simple questions about yourself during the course. TDLR’s rules require online courses to confirm that the person who registered is the one taking it.

Source: DDI Texas course; 16 TAC § 84.505(c)

Your progress saves. Reconnect, log back in and pick up where you left off.

Source: DDI Texas course

No. DDI’s Texas driving safety course runs entirely in your web browser. There’s nothing to download, install, or update. Any modern browser — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge — on any device will work. Simply visit the course website, log in, and start learning. This makes it easy to take the course on any computer, tablet, or smartphone you have available.

Source: DDI course features — browser-based delivery

Yes. You need 70% to pass, and you get 3 attempts. TDLR’s rules also require questions on each required topic along the way.

Source: DDI Texas course; 16 TAC § 84.505(e)

You can try again. You get 3 attempts to pass the final exam with 70% or better. Under TDLR’s rules, failing three times means failing the course. If you’re stuck, contact us.

Source: 16 TAC § 84.505(e)(4)

It’s the official certificate a TDLR-licensed provider issues when you complete a driving safety course. For a ticket, it’s one of the documents you turn in to the court. For an insurance discount, you send it to your insurer.

Source: CCP Art. 45A.356(a)(1); TDLR, Taking a Driving Safety Course

Once your course is processed, your certificate of completion is in your DDI account, and you can download it anytime. We also email it to you. For reference, the state standard is that TDLR says students should receive their certificate within 14 days of completing the course.

Source: DDI Texas course; TDLR, Taking a Driving Safety Course

Yes. Log in to your account and download it again whenever you need it. If something on it looks wrong, contact us.

Source: DDI Texas course

It depends on why you took the course:

• For a ticket: turn in the certificate to the court, with your Type 3A driving record and the affidavit, within the 90 days
• For an insurance discount: send the certificate to your insurer or agent
• For both: ask your insurer whether they’ll also give a discount for the course you took for your ticket

Keep a copy for your records. You can download it again from your account anytime.

Source: CCP Art. 45A.356(a); Texas Department of Insurance, Auto insurance guide

Yes. Defensive Drivers Institute, LLC holds TDLR driving safety provider license CP1013. You can check it on TDLR’s license search.

Source: TDLR license search, CP1013

DDI’s Texas course is $25. If you’re taking it for a ticket, the court can also charge court costs and a fee of not more than $10, and DPS charges $10 for a certified driving record. Not finished? You can get a refund. Refund policy

Start the course for $25 →

• TDLR-approved: driving safety provider license CP1013
• $25
• 100% online: on a computer, tablet or phone
• 6 hours of content, at your own pace: take a break anytime. Your place is saved.
• Read or listen: narrated lessons with read-along text
• Try before you buy: the first module is free
• Not finished? You can get a refund.

Getting started:

• Open DDI’s Texas defensive driving course page
• Register and pay the $25 course fee
• Take the course: 6 hours of content, at your own pace
• Complete the course and its tests
• Download your certificate of completion from your account (we email it to you too)
• Turn it in to the court (for a ticket) or send it to your insurer (for a discount)

Texas law requires a TDLR-approved driving safety course, and DDI’s course is TDLR-approved (license CP1013). If the court granted your request and you turn in your certificate, driving record and affidavit on time, the court must dismiss the charge.

Source: CCP Arts. 45A.352(a), 45A.356(c); TDLR license search

Yes. Defensive Drivers Institute offers approved driving courses in multiple states across the country. Each course is specifically designed and approved for its respective state, meeting the unique legal requirements and curriculum standards of that jurisdiction. Visit defensivedriversinstitute.com to see the full list of states and courses DDI offers.