Harris County
Municipal Court
Houston
Use this page to see how your court handles Texas Defensive Driving Courses (Driver's Safety Course). Always follow your court's instructions if they differ from what is listed here.
Court Information
1Make Sure You're Eligible
To qualify for ticket dismissal through a Texas Driver Safety Course (DSC), you must meet all of the following requirements:
You must have a valid Texas driver's license
Your license cannot be expired, suspended, or revoked
You must NOT hold a Commercial Driver License (CDL)
Even if driving a personal vehicle
You must have current auto insurance
You must NOT have completed a Driver Safety Course within the past 12 months
Some violations may be ineligible, including:
Speeding 25 mph or more over the posted limit
Speeding 95 mph or more
Passing a stopped school bus
Leaving the scene of an accident
Certain construction-zone or school-zone violations
Eligibility is determined by the court. Always confirm eligibility with your court before requesting permission.
2Request Permission From the Court
You must receive court approval before taking a Driver Safety Course.
Most courts require you to:
Visit the court's website
Search for "Driver Safety Course" or "Defensive Driving"
Review the court's specific DSC instructions
You may be asked to:
Complete a Driver Safety Course affidavit confirming you have not taken a course in the past 12 months
Enter a plea of No Contest or Guilty
Pay court costs and any DSC administrative fees
Submit your request online, by email, by mail, or in person (varies by court)
Important:
Each court sets its own fees and submission process. Always follow the instructions provided by your court.
3Wait for Court Approval
Do not start a Driver Safety Course until the court grants permission.
Once approved, the court will provide:
Your deadline to complete the course
Any additional documents required
Instructions on how and where to submit your completion paperwork
4Take a TDLR-Approved Driver Safety Course
After receiving court approval:
Enroll with a Texas-approved Driver Safety Course provider
Complete the online course
Receive a Certificate of Completion after finishing
5Get Your Certified Type 3A Driving Record
Texas law requires you to submit a certified driving record with your certificate.
To obtain it:
Select "Type 3A Certified Driving Record"
Download or print the record once received
6Submit Your Completion Packet to the Court
Before your court deadline, submit:
Your Certificate of Completion
Your Type 3A Certified Driving Record
Any additional court-specific documents (affidavit, compliance form, etc.)
Submit everything exactly how your court requires:
Online portal
In person
Texas Defensive Driving Course 6hr
+ $3.00 state processing fee
4.9 out of 5
