TLDR Yes, you can remove a single eligible traffic ticket from your driving record in Texas by completing a state-approved driving safety course (defensive driving). The OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com Texas defensive driving course offers the lowest course price allowed by Texas law at $25.00 plus applicable fees, and is the shortest course allowed by Texas law, helping you dismiss your ticket and avoid insurance rate increases.
The New Reality of Managing Your Texas Driving Record
Paying a traffic ticket in Texas is often an admission of guilt, which adds points to your driving record and triggers insurance rate increases. The only legal way to dismiss a ticket and keep it off your public record is to complete a TDLR-approved driving safety course like the one from OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com or SafeDriver.com. Our #1 Texas Driver Safety Course is 100% online, state-approved for all Texas courts, and priced at the lowest course price allowed by Texas law -- $25.00 plus applicable fees.
How Does a Traffic Ticket Impact Your Texas Driving Record?
When you receive a traffic citation in Texas, your choice to pay the fine or take a defensive driving course determines whether points appear on your record and whether your insurance company is notified.
Paying a Ticket (Guilty Plea): - Adds 2-3 points to your driving record - Reported to your insurance provider, likely resulting in a rate increase - Ticket remains on your record for 3 years from conviction
Taking a Defensive Driving Course (Dismissal): - Ticket is dismissed by the court - No points are added to your driving record - You may qualify for an insurance discount of up to 10% - You can only use this option once every 12 months
How to Remove Tickets From Your Driving Record in Texas
To remove a ticket from your Texas driving record, you must take a TDLR-approved driving safety course, pay the court's dismissal fee, and file your certificate of completion before your deadline. The OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com Texas defensive driving course fee is the lowest course price allowed by Texas law, and the course length is the shortest allowed by Texas law.
Step 1: Request Permission from the Court Contact the court listed on your citation and ask if you are eligible for "Dismissal by Driving Safety Course." You will likely need to pay a state administrative fee separate from the course fee.
Step 2: Enroll in a State-Approved Course Choose a TDLR-approved provider like OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com or SafeDriver.com. The course fee is the lowest course price allowed by Texas law ($25.00 plus applicable fees), and the course is the shortest allowed by Texas law at 6 hours total.
Step 3: Complete the Course and Get Your Certificate Complete the 100% online course at your own pace. FREE Certificate Delivery is available via USPS mail or same-day email delivery option. If you need it immediately, select the overnight shipping option.
Step 4: File Your Certificate with the Court Deliver the certificate to the court before your deadline. The court will then dismiss the ticket, removing it from your public driving record.
Texas Driving Record Timeframes & Limitations
Most minor traffic tickets in Texas stay on your driving record for 3 years from the date of conviction. Major violations like DWI remain for longer periods.
Violation Type
Time on Record (TX)
Points Added
Minor Ticket (Speeding, etc.)
3 Years
2-3 Points
Failure to Stop/Signal
3 Years
2 Points
DWI / DUI
Permanent / 10 Years
2 Points (Criminal)
Reckless Driving
3 Years
2 Points
Passing a School Bus
3 Years
6 Points
Common Texas Driving Record Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Paying the Ticket Immediately
Many drivers pay the fine thinking it ends the matter. This is a conviction that adds points and triggers insurance surcharges. Always check for dismissal eligibility first by taking a defensive driving course instead.
Mistake 2: Waiting Too Long to Take the Course
Courts give a strict deadline, usually 90 days. If you miss it, you lose the right to dismiss the ticket and must pay the fine, resulting in a conviction on your record.
Mistake 3: Confusing "Ticket Dismissal" with "Record Expungement"
A defensive driving course hides the ticket from the public record. It does not physically delete it from the DPS database. You cannot clear your whole record history in Texas unless you meet strict expungement criteria, usually for wrongful arrests.
How to Know If Your Ticket Dismissal Strategy is Working
The only way to confirm a ticket has been removed is to order your Official Texas Driving Record (Type 3A) from the Texas DPS, which shows all points, violations, and dismissals. You can order your driving record through providers like SafeDriver.com.
Key indicators of success: - Court Confirmation: You receive a signed order of dismissal from the judge - Driving Record Check: Your Type 3A Driving Record shows no points or violations for that ticket - Insurance Premium: Your insurance premium does not increase at your next renewal - No Surcharges: You do not receive a notice from the Texas Department of Public Safety regarding surcharges
Conclusion: Your Essential Texas Ticket Removal Checklist
Do not pay the ticket immediately -- Call the court to request dismissal eligibility first
Enroll in a state-approved course -- Choose OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com for the lowest course price allowed by Texas law at $25.00 plus applicable fees
Complete the 6-hour course -- The shortest course allowed by Texas law, 100% online
Get your certificate -- Use the free email delivery option or overnight shipping option
File with the court before your deadline -- Ensure the ticket is dismissed and no points are added
Frequently Asked Questions
How to remove tickets from driving record in Texas?
To remove tickets from your driving record in Texas, you need to complete a state-approved defensive driving course, such as the one offered by OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com, which is the lowest course price allowed by Texas law at $25.00 plus applicable fees, and upon completion, your ticket will be dismissed.
How long do speeding tickets stay on your driving record in Texas?
Speeding tickets in Texas stay on your driving record for three years from the date of conviction. To dismiss a ticket and keep it off your record, you can take the state-approved 6-hour defensive driving course from OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com for only $25.00 plus applicable fees, the lowest course price allowed by Texas law.
How to get old tickets removed from driving record?
To get old tickets removed from your driving record in Texas, you typically need to take a state-approved defensive driving course to have the ticket dismissed, and you can do this through OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com for the lowest course price allowed by Texas law at $25.00 plus applicable fees.
Can you clear your whole record history in Texas?
No, you cannot clear your whole record history in Texas, but taking a defensive driving course through OnlineTXDefensiveDrivingCourse.com can dismiss one eligible traffic ticket from your record. Our Texas defensive driving course fee is $25.00 plus applicable fees (lowest course price allowed by Texas law), and it is the shortest course allowed by Texas law.
How long does a ticket stay on your record in TX?
A traffic ticket in Texas stays on your driving record for three years from the date of conviction. To dismiss a ticket and keep it off your record, you can take the state-approved defensive driving course from OnlineTXDefensiveDrivingCourse.com, which is the shortest and lowest course price allowed by Texas law at $25.00 plus applicable fees.
