Texas court guides
State law sets the basic rules for using a driving safety course to dismiss a ticket, but each court runs its own process: how you ask, what you pay and how you file your paperwork. Find the court named on your citation.
Each guide is taken from the court's own website and shows the date we checked it. If your court isn't listed, use the Texas guide and your court's website.
Compare Texas courts
From each court's own website, checked on the dates shown on each court's page. Fees include court costs where the court gives a total.
| Court | Request by | How to request | Court fee | Time to finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Municipal Courts | On or before your arraignment (first) court date | Application by mail (P.O. Box 4996, Houston, TX 77210-4996), by email to mcd@houstontx.gov, or in person at one of six court locations | $144, or $169 in a school zone (mandatory track). $184 / $209 on the discretionary track | 90 days to finish the course and submit the documents |
| Dallas Municipal Court | Within 21 days of receiving your citation | Online (upload the forms, card payment plus a convenience fee), by mail to 2014 Main St., Dallas, TX 75201, or in person at the same address | $144, or $169 in a school zone, paid with the request | 90 days from approval |
| Austin Municipal Court | Submitted or postmarked no later than the appearance date on your citation | Driver Safety Request form (Traffic Deferral 02) by mail to P.O. Box 2135, Austin, TX 78768, by email to court@austintexas.gov, or in person | $144, or $169 in a school zone, by check or money order with the request | 90 days after the court processes your request |
| Fort Worth Municipal Court | Within 21 calendar days of the date the citation was issued; after that, a judge must approve | Online request form, by mail (plea and DSC option marked on the back of the citation, or a letter), or in person at 1000 Throckmorton St. | Not published — the court's approval notice tells you the amount. Don't send money with the request | Not stated on the court's page; state law allows 90 days |
| El Paso Municipal Courts | Before your scheduled court hearing, or before the judge on your court day | Online, by mail to 810 E Overland, El Paso, TX 79901 (with payment), in person at the Pebble Hills, Mission Valley or Northeast offices, or before the judge at your hearing | Court costs and an administration fee — the court doesn't publish the amount | 90 days from your request |
| Arlington Municipal Court | No later than your 30-day appearance date | Plea and request online, by mail or in person (101 S. Mesquite St., Arlington, TX 76010) | $144 total (administrative fee and court costs); $169 in a school zone | 90 days; then a show cause hearing |
| Corpus Christi Municipal Court | On or before the appearance date on your citation — 14 days from the violation | Written affidavit and request plus a plea; can be started through the court's online portal | $144, or $169 in a school zone, paid with the request (includes the $10 reimbursement fee) | 90 calendar days from the date the interim judgment is signed |
| Irving Municipal Court | No later than 21 calendar days from the date your citation was issued | Online, in person at 305 N. O'Connor Rd, or the affidavit by email (court@IrvingTX.gov), mail (P.O. Box 152288, Irving, TX 75015-2288) or eFax ((972) 721-2383) | $144, including a $10 administrative fine (school-zone tickets use a separate form) | 90 days after approval to finish the course and get your driving record |
Court guides
Houston Municipal Courts
Request by your arraignment date by mail, email or in person. $144 ($169 school zone); $184 on the discretionary track. 90 days to file.
Dallas Municipal Court
Request within 21 days online, by mail or in person and pay $144 ($169 school zone). Wait for approval before you start the course.
Austin Municipal Court
Send the notarized request form with $144 ($169 school zone) by your appearance date. Proof can go in by email or fax.
Fort Worth Municipal Court
Request within 21 days online, by mail or in person — without payment. The court's approval notice tells you how much to pay.
El Paso Municipal Courts
Request online, by mail, in person or at your hearing. Finish within 90 days and file your Type 3A record, court copy certificate and insurance.
Arlington Municipal Court
Request by your 30-day appearance date; $144 total ($169 school zone). Some course providers can e-file your certificate.
Corpus Christi Municipal Court
File the affidavit, plea and $144 ($169 school zone) within 14 days of the violation. 90 calendar days from the interim judgment.
Irving Municipal Court
Send the affidavit, $144 and your insurance within 21 days — online, by email, mail, eFax or in person. 90 days after approval.