Driving Safety Course (Defensive Driving)
Completing a state-approved driving safety course can keep an eligible traffic citation off your driving record. You qualify when all of the following are true:
- You hold a valid Texas driver's license. Holders of a commercial driver's license are not eligible.
- Your Texas liability insurance is current, and you can prove it.
- In the 12 months leading up to the alleged offense, you have not completed a driving safety course.
- You are not already taking the course for a different traffic violation.
- You ask for the course no later than your appearance date.
These offenses cannot be resolved through defensive driving:
- Driving 25 mph or more above the posted speed limit
- Passing a school bus that is stopped
- A moving violation in a marked construction zone while workers are on site
- Leaving the scene of a crash
- Fleeing from police
- Violations of the Penal Code or of city ordinances
Requesting the Course Online
You can make your request through the Municipal Court's online case system. Have these items ready to upload:
- A copy of your driver's license
- A copy of your current insurance card
- A completed Defensive Driving Request Form
If the system does not offer defensive driving as a choice for your citation, your case is not eligible.
Requesting the Course by Mail
To make your request by mail, send the court all of the following:
- A copy of your valid Texas driver's license
- Proof that you carry Texas liability insurance under your own name, valid on the date of your request
- A check or money order payable to the City of Fredville for the court costs: $138 for an offense outside a school zone, or $163 if the offense happened in a school zone, whether or not it involved speeding
- A written request asking to complete a driving safety course, which you can write on the back of your citation or submit on the court's defensive driving request form
- A plea of guilty or no contest, which can also go on the back of your citation or on that same form
The court must receive your request by your scheduled appearance date. When the Municipal Court approves it, you will get a confirmation letter that explains how to finish the remaining requirements.
After You Are Approved
- Finding, paying for and completing an approved driving safety course is up to you.
- You have 90 days from the date of judgment to finish the course.
- You must also order a copy of your driving record from the Texas Department of Public Safety. A request by mail costs $10, or you can order the record through the department's online driver record service for $12. Turn in the driving record together with your course completion certificate.
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