Many Texas drivers love the convenience of online defensive driving — but can you take it more than once? The short answer: yes, but not for every ticket. Texas law limits how often you can use a state-approved defensive driving course to dismiss a citation.
Texas Law on Retaking Defensive Driving
Under the Texas Transportation Code, you can take a defensive driving course for ticket dismissal once every 12 months. Courts use this rule to make sure drivers don’t repeatedly avoid penalties for poor driving habits.
That means if you’ve already taken a defensive driving course within the last year for ticket dismissal, you’ll have to wait 12 months from your completion date before you can use another course for the same purpose.
When You Can Take It Again
Even if you can’t use defensive driving for ticket dismissal twice in a year, you can still retake the course for other reasons:
- Insurance discounts: Many insurers offer a rate reduction for completing an approved course, even if you recently took one for ticket dismissal.
- Continuing education: Employers, fleet drivers, or volunteers may require or reward defensive driving certificates as proof of safety training.
- Skill refresh: You can always retake the course voluntarily to update your knowledge and improve your driving habits.
Explore available programs in the Continuing Education section for options that fit your goals.
Can You Take It for Multiple Tickets?
Each court decides eligibility separately. If you receive multiple tickets close together, you might be allowed to dismiss only one with a defensive driving course. The others must be handled through standard fines or court appearances.
Always contact each court before enrolling. Taking the course twice at the same time will not guarantee multiple dismissals.
How to Check Your Eligibility
Before signing up, verify whether you’re eligible through your court or by checking your Texas driving record. It will show the date you last completed a defensive driving course for dismissal.
If more than 12 months have passed since that completion date, you can request permission to take it again for a new ticket.
Why Retaking Defensive Driving Is Still Worth It
- It reinforces safe-driving habits that help you avoid future tickets.
- It may qualify you for lower insurance rates.
- It keeps your record clean when used properly for ticket dismissal.
Most drivers find that spending a few hours in an online course saves hundreds in the long run.
Ready to Take an Approved Online Course?
You can browse hundreds of TDLR-approved defensive driving courses across Texas. Choose one that fits your schedule, complete it online, and get your certificate instantly.