If you’ve received a traffic ticket in Texas, you might be wondering if taking a defensive driving course can erase the points from your record. The short answer: it can help — but only if you follow the right steps and qualify under state law.
How the Texas Point System Works
Texas uses a Driver Responsibility Program (DRP) that assigns points for certain moving violations. While some parts of the program were discontinued, points and record notations can still affect your insurance rates, license status, and court outcomes.
- Most moving violations add 2 points to your record.
- Violations resulting in a crash add 3 points.
- Points remain on your record for up to three years from the conviction date.
Too many points can lead to higher insurance premiums and, in extreme cases, suspension of driving privileges.
How Defensive Driving Helps
Taking a TDLR-approved defensive driving course doesn’t technically “remove” points — but it prevents new ones from being added when used for a ticket dismissal. If the court allows you to take a course, and you complete it on time, the violation is dismissed and no points are added to your driving record.
That’s a huge difference. Instead of a conviction appearing on your record, it’s cleared as if it never happened.
Who Qualifies for Defensive Driving?
You can generally take a defensive driving course for ticket dismissal if you meet these requirements:
- You hold a valid, non-commercial Texas driver’s license.
- Your offense was a standard moving violation (like speeding or unsafe lane change).
- You haven’t taken a defensive driving course for ticket dismissal within the past 12 months.
- Your speed wasn’t 25 mph or more over the posted limit.
- The court grants you permission before you take the course.
If you’re not sure whether you qualify, you can review Texas driver education options or call your court clerk to confirm.
How to Dismiss a Ticket and Prevent Points
- Contact the court listed on your citation and request permission to take defensive driving.
- Enroll in a TDLR-approved defensive driving course and complete it by the court’s deadline.
- Obtain your Certificate of Completion and, if required, your Texas driving record.
- Submit all required documents to the court before your deadline.
- Verify with the court that your ticket has been dismissed and no points were added.
Once your ticket is dismissed, it’s as if the violation never occurred—your driving record remains clear.
Will This Lower My Insurance Rates?
Yes, in many cases. Even if you didn’t get a ticket, Texas insurance providers often offer discounts for completing an approved course. Check out continuing education programs for drivers looking to refresh skills or qualify for insurance savings.
When Defensive Driving Won’t Remove Points
- If you already have points for past violations, the course won’t erase them retroactively.
- If you fail to get court approval first, your course may not count for dismissal.
- Commercial drivers (CDL) are usually not eligible for ticket dismissal through defensive driving.
However, you can still take a course for educational value or insurance discounts through Continuing Education.
Keep Your Record Clean the Easy Way
Don’t let a simple ticket cost you years of higher insurance premiums. Take an approved online course today and avoid points entirely.