How to Dismiss a Traffic Ticket in Waco with Defensive Driving
Short answer: to dismiss a Waco-area traffic ticket, request a driving safety course from the court on or before your appearance date, complete a TDLR-approved 6-hour course within 90 days, and submit your certificate plus a certified DPS driving record. The charge is then dismissed and kept off your record.
The catch: a ticket "in Waco" might actually be at one of McLennan County's suburb or small-town courts — and each sets its own fee and process. Here's what's the same everywhere and how the local courts differ.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Each court sets its own fees, deadlines, and procedures — confirm with the specific court on your citation. Road Ready Safety is a TDLR-licensed course provider, not a court.
"Waco" isn't one court
Read the court name on your citation. The City of Waco runs its own court, but the surrounding cities each run theirs.
Besides the City of Waco Municipal Court, McLennan County includes Bellmead, Lacy-Lakeview, Hewitt, Woodway, Robinson (the close-in suburbs) and smaller towns like McGregor, Lorena, Crawford, West, Mart, Moody, Riesel, Bruceville-Eddy, Beverly Hills, and Golinda. The city where you were stopped is your court.
Tickets written by a constable or sheriff's deputy on county roads outside the city limits go to a McLennan County Justice of the Peace court. Same general process, different office.
What's the same at every Waco-area court
Texas law sets the core rules, so the basic path to a dismissal is the same no matter which Waco-area court has your ticket:
- • Request the course by your appearance/answer date — the date on your citation. Don't pay first: paying is a guilty plea and a conviction.
- • You need a valid Texas driver license and proof of insurance, and you plead guilty or no contest.
- • You can use it once every 12 months. It's not available for speeding 25+ mph over the limit (or 95+ mph), CDL holders, passing a school bus, or work-zone violations with workers present.
- • Court costs run up to about $144 ($169 in a school zone) and are set by each court — some charge less.
- • After approval you have 90 days to finish a TDLR-approved 6-hour course and submit the certificate plus a certified DPS Type 3A driving record.
- • Complete it and the charge is dismissed and kept off your record under Texas law (Code of Criminal Procedure ch. 45A) — it can't be used against you or raise your insurance.
Want the full walkthrough? See how Texas ticket dismissal works, or check your eligibility.
How Waco-area courts differ
The fee, how you request the course, the exact deadline, and small local rules vary court to court. Here are the 16 Waco-area courts we've researched — tap any one for its full instructions, fees, and contacts.
| Waco-area court | What to know (tap to open the court page) |
|---|---|
| Waco Municipal Court | You'll need a certified Type 3A driving record from Texas DPS — most drivers do not have this ready. |
| Bellmead Municipal Court | Bellmead (I-35) charges court costs plus a $10 fee — submit a notarized plea form and Type 3A record by your appearance date; 90 days. |
| Beverly Hills Municipal Court | Beverly Hills Municipal Court (McLennan County, TX — a small city within Waco, not California) hasn't posted its standard DSC fee online — call (254) 752-2584 ext. 2 by your appearance date to confirm. Complete your |
| Bruceville Eddy Municipal Court | Got a ticket in Bruceville-Eddy (McLennan County, I-35 south of Waco)? The municipal court charges $144 to dismiss a traffic ticket via Driver Safety Course. Take a |
| Crawford Municipal Court | Crawford Municipal Court (McLennan County, west of Waco) charges a $144 court admin fee ($169 in a school zone) to dismiss a ticket via Driver Safety Course — submit your notarized form before your appearance date. |
| Golinda Municipal Court | Got a speeding ticket in Golinda (McLennan County, south of Waco)? The Golinda Municipal Court hasn't posted its DSC fee online — call (254) 881-7333 before your appearance date to request dismissal via Driver Safety Course. Take the |
| Hewitt Municipal Court | Hewitt (I-35) charges $144 ($169 school zone) by money order — request in person or by mail by your appearance date; 90 days to finish. |
| Lacy Lakeview Municipal Court | Lacy Lakeview (I-35) takes a written DSC request by your appearance date — call (254) 799-2458 for the court costs; disposition within 20 business days. |
| Lorena Municipal Court | Lorena Municipal Court (McLennan County, I-35 S of Waco) charges a $144 court fee ($169 school zone) to dismiss a ticket via driver safety course — mail your notarized application by your court date. |
| Mart Municipal Court | Mart (US-84) takes a written DSC request by your appearance date — call (254) 876-2462 to confirm the court costs; 90 days, Type 3A record. |
| Mcgregor Municipal Court | McGregor Municipal Court (McLennan County, US-84 SW of Waco) charges $143.90 to dismiss a traffic ticket via Driver Safety Course — request by your appearance date. Take your course online for |
| Moody Municipal Court | Moody Municipal Court (McLennan County, SW of Waco) charges $143.90 to dismiss a ticket via Driver Safety Course — submit your notarized reply form by your appearance date. Complete a state-approved course for |
| Riesel Municipal Court | Riesel Municipal Court (McLennan County, SE of Waco) charges a $144 court fee to take a driver safety course and dismiss a qualifying ticket — call (254) 896-6501 ext. 1 within 10 days of your citation. Complete a state-approved course for |
| Robinson Municipal Court | Robinson charges $144 ($169 school zone) — get court approval before taking the course; submit a Type 3A record within 90 days. |
| West Municipal Court | West (I-35) charges a $144 fee — submit the Request Form in person or by mail; 90 days and a certified DPS record required. |
| Woodway Municipal Court | Woodway (SH-6) charges $144 ($169 school zone) and takes DSC requests online or in person by your appearance date; 90 days to finish. |
Don't see your court? Search every Texas court in our court directory.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to dismiss a ticket in Waco?
The court cost is typically up to about $144 ($169 in a school zone), set by each court — some McLennan County courts charge less (McGregor and Moody, for example, post $143.90). The TDLR-approved course is separate; ours is $28. Check your court's page for the exact amount.
Can I take the Waco defensive driving course online?
Yes. Once the court approves your request, a TDLR-approved 6-hour course can be completed fully online. Every Waco-area court accepts a state-approved online course.
My ticket is from Hewitt / Woodway / Robinson / Bellmead, not Waco. Does that change things?
The legal steps are the same, but you deal with that city's court — each with its own fee, request method, and deadlines. Open its page in the table above.
How long do I have to finish?
Generally 90 days after the court approves the request. Request the course by your appearance date first, and don't pay the ticket — paying is a guilty plea and a conviction.
Does a dismissal keep it off my insurance?
Yes. A driving safety course dismissal keeps the charge off your driving record under Texas law, so it can't raise your insurance — unlike paying, which is a conviction.
Take the Waco course that every court accepts
Once your court approves the request, our TDLR-approved course is accepted at every Waco-area court — $28, fully online, with the certificate the moment you finish.
Road Ready Safety is a TDLR-licensed Texas driving safety provider (CP#1234). This page is informational and not legal advice; confirm requirements with the court on your citation.
Last updated June 13, 2026 — court details verified by the Road Ready Safety editorial team against the City of Waco and McLennan County municipal courts and Tex. Code Crim. Proc. ch. 45A.