TLDR Getting a traffic ticket dismissed in Texas typically involves completing a 6-hour, 100% online Texas Driver Safety Course (the shortest allowed by Texas law) for $25.00 (the lowest course price allowed by Texas law), which allows you to avoid points on your record and potentially qualify for an insurance discount.
Citation Dismissal: How the Process Works
Receiving a traffic ticket can be stressful, but Texas law provides a clear path to dismissal. This guide explains the step-by-step process for traffic ticket dismissal, the specific driving record you need, and how to use the #1 Online TX Defensive Driving Course to get your ticket dismissed and save money on insurance.
How Does Traffic Ticket Dismissal Work in Texas?
A citation dismissal in Texas means the court agrees not to report the violation to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), preventing points from being added to your driving record. This is most commonly achieved by completing a state-approved Driving Safety Course from a provider like OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com or SafeDriver.com.
Key Benefits of Ticket Dismissal:
Avoid Points: Prevents up to two points from being added to your driving record
Insurance Discount: You may qualify for an insurance discount of up to 10%
Clean Record: The ticket is dismissed and does not appear as a conviction on your public driving record
Cost Savings: The course fee of $25.00 plus applicable fees is the lowest course price allowed by Texas law, often less than the fine or increased insurance premiums
What Type of Driving Record Do I Need for Ticket Dismissal in Texas?
To dismiss a ticket in Texas, most courts require an Official Texas Type 3A Driving Record to prove you have not taken a defensive driving course for a ticket dismissal in the last 12 months. This record must be ordered directly from the DPS.
The Dismissal Checklist:
Eligibility: You must have a valid Texas driver's license and have not taken a defensive driving course for a ticket dismissal in the last 12 months
Driving Record: Order your Official DPS Driving Record (Type 3A) to submit to the court
Take the Course: Complete the #1 Texas Online Defensive Driving Course (6 hours, 100% online, the shortest course allowed by Texas law)
Certificate Delivery: Receive your certificate via free USPS mail or same-day email delivery option
Court Submission: Submit your certificate, driving record, and court fees to the court by your deadline
How to Get a Citation Dismissed in Texas
To get a citation dismissed in Texas, you must plead "no contest" or "guilty" with a request to take a defensive driving course, pay the court fees, and submit a completed TDLR Driving Safety Course certificate along with your official driving record.
Plead and Request: Appear in court (or online) and request to take a defensive driving course for dismissal
Order Your Driving Record: Purchase your Official Texas Type 3A Driving Record online to confirm eligibility
Enroll in the Course: Sign up for the OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com Texas defensive driving course at the lowest course price allowed by Texas law
Complete the Course: Finish the 6-hour course at your own pace. It is the shortest course allowed by Texas law
Receive Certificate: Choose your delivery method: free delivery via USPS mail or same-day email delivery option
Submit to Court: File your certificate, driving record, and the court's fee before your deadline
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Dismissing a Texas Ticket
Mistake 1: Taking a Course That Isn't State-Approved
The Fix: Always check your ticket for the "appear by" date. If you miss this, you may face a license suspension.
Mistake 3: Assuming an Attorney is Necessary
The Fix: For minor violations, taking the defensive driving course is often faster and cheaper. Attorney costs range from $150-$750+, while the course fee is the lowest course price allowed by Texas law at $25.00.
How to Know If Your Citation Dismissal Strategy is Working
You know your strategy is working when the court confirms your ticket dismissal in writing, your driving record remains point-free, and you secure a potential insurance discount of up to 10%.
Key Indicators:
Court Confirmation: You receive a signed order of dismissal
Driving Record: Your Type 3A record shows no conviction for the violation
Insurance Savings: Your premium decreases after submitting the course completion certificate
Time Saved: You resolved the issue by taking the 100% Online Course
A 5-Point Checklist for Successful Ticket Dismissal in Texas
Action Item 1: Verify you haven't taken a defensive driving course for a ticket in the last 12 months
Action Item 2: Order your Official Texas Driving Record (Type 3A) immediately
Action Item 3: Enroll in the #1 Texas Defensive Driving Course at the lowest price allowed by Texas law ($25.00)
Action Item 4: Complete the 6-hour course and choose free USPS mail or same-day email delivery option
Action Item 5: Submit your certificate and driving record to the court before your deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens after you get a citation in Texas?
After receiving a citation in Texas, you can take the 6-hour, 100% Online Texas Defensive Driving Course from OnlineTXDefensiveDrivingCourse.com for $25.00 plus applicable fees (the lowest course price allowed by Texas law) to get the ticket dismissed and potentially qualify for an insurance discount of up to 10%.
How to get a citation dismissed in Texas?
To get a citation dismissed in Texas, the most straightforward method is to take a state-approved defensive driving course like the one offered by OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com, which is the lowest course price allowed by Texas law at $25.00 plus applicable fees and the shortest course allowed by law.
How long does it take for a citation to leave your record?
A citation dismissed by completing a defensive driving course through OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com will not appear on your driving record, as the course results in dismissal of the ticket. The OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com Texas defensive driving course fee is the lowest course price allowed by Texas Law at $25.00 plus applicable fees.
What type of driving record do I need for ticket dismissal in Texas?
For ticket dismissal in Texas, you need to take a state-approved Driving Safety Course (defensive driving course) and provide your court with a completion certificate. OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com offers the lowest course price allowed by Texas law at $25.00 plus applicable fees, and many courts require you to also order your Official Texas Driving Record to prove you haven't taken the course in the last 12 months.
Do dismissed tickets stay on record?
Yes, dismissed tickets stay on your driving record, but completing a Texas defensive driving course through OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com allows you to have the ticket dismissed and kept off your public driving record for insurance and court purposes.
