Texas Defensive Driving Course Online: What to Know

In Texas, it's called "defensive driving" instead of "traffic school" — but the result is the same. Take the course, dismiss your ticket, keep your record clean.

Here's how the Texas defensive driving course works online.

Who is eligible in Texas?

To take a defensive driving course in Texas, you must meet these requirements:

You have a valid Texas driver's license
The violation is a moving violation (speeding, red light, stop sign, etc.)
You have not taken defensive driving for ticket dismissal in the last 12 months
You request the court's permission before taking the course
The offense is not a CDL violation, DUI, or serious misdemeanor

How to request permission

You must ask the court for permission to take defensive driving. In most Texas courts, you can do this online through the court's website or by calling the court clerk. You usually have about 90 days from the date of your citation.

How does the Texas online course work?

The Texas defensive driving course is 6 hours long. That's a state requirement — there's no way around it. But the good news is you can do it all online.

Here's the process:

Get court approval — Request permission to take the course
Sign up for an approved online course
Complete 6 hours of course material
Pass the final exam — 25 questions, you need 70% to pass
Get your certificate — We send it to you and report to the court
Submit proof to the court with your completion certificate

What does the course cover?

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires these topics:

Texas traffic laws and your responsibilities
The effects of alcohol and drugs on driving
Recognizing and responding to road hazards
Sharing the road with motorcycles, trucks, and pedestrians
Emergency situations and crash avoidance
Driver attitudes and behavior

The content is straightforward. No trick questions. No confusing legal language.

How much does it cost?

Cost	Amount
NoToTicket course fee	$39.99
Court fee	$0–$50 (varies by county)
Total	$39.99–$89.99

Compare that to not taking the course: the average Texas driver pays $545 more per year in insurance after a ticket. Over 3 years, that's $1,635 down the drain.

Save $1,500+

A 6-hour course and $40 saves you over $1,500 in insurance increases. That's $250 per hour for your time.

Can I take breaks?

Yes. The course saves your progress. You can log out and come back anytime. Many people split the course into a few sessions over a weekend.

Just keep in mind: Texas requires you to spend a minimum of 6 hours in the course. The system tracks your time, so you can't speed through it.

What if I fail the exam?

You get multiple retakes. The final exam is 25 multiple-choice questions and you need to get 70% correct (18 out of 25). If you don't pass, you can study the material and try again.

Texas defensive driving benefits

Taking the course doesn't just dismiss your ticket. Texas also offers:

Ticket dismissal — The violation is removed from your record
Insurance discount — Texas law entitles you to a 10% discount on your insurance for 3 years after completing an approved course
Point removal — Points from the ticket don't go on your record

Don't miss the deadline

Texas courts give you a deadline to complete the course (usually 90 days). If you miss it, you lose eligibility and the ticket goes on your record. Check your court paperwork for your specific deadline.

Get your Texas ticket dismissed

Don't let a Texas traffic ticket raise your insurance for 3 years. Take the defensive driving course online and keep your record clean.

Related reading:

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