Texas defensive driving course›Ticket dismissal›Tyler
Got a Tyler ticket? Don't pay it yet.
You can likely get it dismissed and kept off your record with a 6-hour defensive driving course. But you have to ask the court first, by the appearance date on your citation.
So the first question isn't how. It's which court has your ticket, and how long do you have?
By Road Ready Safety, TDLR-licensed provider CP1234 · Court rules checked September 2, 2026
Which court has your ticket, and how long do you have?
It's the court printed on your citation, and mostTyler-area tickets aren't handled by the City of Tyler. Each of these 12 courts sets its own deadline and fee.
Stopped outside city limits by a constable or sheriff's deputy? Your ticket goes to a Smith County Justice of the Peace court instead. Find your JP court.
By the appearance date on your citation
- Tyler MunicipalAppearance dateCity of Tyler police tickets. Request in person, by mail, or through the courtFull court steps →
- Smith County JP Precinct 1 (Tyler, Ferguson St.)Appearance dateCourt fee: $146Deputy and DPS tickets in central Tyler. $146 court fee. Submit the signed Driving Safety Course Request Form, proof of insurance, a copy of your license, and the fee by the citation due date.Full court steps →
- Smith County JP Precinct 2 (Hwy 155 S, Tyler)Appearance dateCourt fee: $146$146 fee. Signed request form, proof of insurance, copy of license, payment. South Tyler and the Hwy 155 corridor.Full court steps →
- Smith County JP Precinct 3 (Troup)Appearance dateCourt fee: $146$146 fee. The request form with fee and proof of insurance must be postmarked by the citation due date. Requires the official DPS driving record and an affidavit that no course was in progress or completed in the prior 12 months.Full court steps →
- Smith County JP Precinct 4 (Winona)Appearance dateCourt fee: $146$146 fee. Proof of insurance and a copy of your license with the fee. Northern Smith County.Full court steps →
- Smith County JP Precinct 5 (Lindale)Appearance dateCourt fee: $146$146 fee. Request form, proof of insurance on the offense date, copy of license, the certificate within 90 days, the official DPS driving record, and a 12-month affidavit.Full court steps →
- WhitehouseAppearance dateCourt fee: $144$144 fee. Requests in person; bring your Texas license and insurance showing you as a covered driver. Certificate after the course.Full court steps →
- LindaleAppearance dateRequests in person or through the cityFull court steps →
- NoondayAppearance dateCall the court to request. Requires a certified Type 3A driving record from DPS with the certificate.Full court steps →
- ArpAppearance dateRequest by phone or in person. Type 3A driving record required with the certificate.Full court steps →
- TroupAppearance dateRequest by phone, in person, or by mail. Type 3A driving record required.Full court steps →
- WinonaAppearance dateRequest by phone or in person. Type 3A driving record typically required; confirm with the court.Full court steps →
Not one of these 12? Search every Texas court in our directory.
How do you get a Tyler ticket dismissed?
Four steps, the same at every Tyler-area court. Only the deadlines and fees change.
- 1Ask the courtRequest defensive driving instead of paying.By your court's deadline
- 2Pay the court feeUsually $144, or $169 in a school zone.When the court approves you
- 3Take a 6-hour courseAny TDLR-approved course, fully online. Ours is $28.Within 90 days
- 4Send in your proofYour certificate plus a certified DPS Type 3A driving record.Before day 90
Can you take defensive driving for your ticket?
Most drivers can, once every 12 months. Four situations rule it out.
You're likely eligible if you have
- A valid Texas driver license
- Proof of insurance
- No dismissal in the last 12 months
- A plea of guilty or no contest
It's off the table if you were
- Going 25+ mph over (or 95+ mph)
- Driving on a CDL
- Passing a stopped school bus
- In a work zone with workers present
How much does it cost to dismiss a Tyler ticket?
Usually about $144 to the court, plus the DPS record and the course. The court fee is the same whichever course you pick. The course is the only part you shop for.
What does Road Ready Safety charge?
$28, and that's the only number you'll see at checkout.
- The 6-hour TDLR-approved course (CP1234) Verify on TDLR ↗
- Certificate the moment you finish, court and insurance copies
- Unlimited quiz retakes
- No delivery, rush or record fees
- Full refund if you request it before you complete the course or get your certificate
- Two costs we can't include: the court's fee and the DPS record, because the court and DPS collect those. Our full pricing policy
Quick answers
How do I dismiss a traffic ticket in Tyler, Texas?
Request a driving safety course from the court on your citation on or before the appearance date, pay the court\
How much does it cost to dismiss a ticket in Tyler or Smith County?
Smith County justice courts charge a $146 court fee; Whitehouse charges $144; Tyler Municipal Court charges court costs plus $10. Add the course ($28 with the certificate included at Road Ready Safety) and, where required, the $12 DPS driving record. Roughly $150 to $190 total.
Which court has my Tyler ticket?
Read the court name on the citation. A City of Tyler police officer\
Can I take the defensive driving course online for a Tyler ticket?
Yes. Every court in Smith County accepts a TDLR-approved online course, including Tyler Municipal Court and all five JP precincts. You must get the court\
Do Smith County courts require the Type 3A driving record?
Several do. JP Precincts 3 and 5 require the official DPS driving record, and Noonday, Arp, Troup and Winona require the certified Type 3A record with the certificate. Tyler Municipal Court asks for a copy of your DPS driving record. Order it online from DPS for $12 as an instant PDF.
How long do I have after a Tyler court approves the course?
90 days under Texas law. JP Precinct 3 also requires the request itself to be postmarked by the citation due date, and Precinct 5 states the certificate must arrive within the 90-day window, so treat the court\
Can a course website approve me for defensive driving?
No. Only the court on your citation can. Course providers, including us, and directory sites cannot grant it; they can only tell you how to ask.
Keep reading
General information, not legal advice. Courts set their own fees and deadlines, so confirm with the court on your citation. Sources: Tex. Code Crim. Proc. ch. 45A; each court's published procedures. Road Ready Safety is a TDLR-licensed course provider (CP1234), not a court. Last updated September 2, 2026.