Dallas Municipal Court: requesting defensive driving for a ticket

Dallas Municipal Court handles tickets issued within the City of Dallas. It has one of the shortest windows of the big Texas courts: 21 days from when you got the ticket.

The Dallas court website wouldn’t load from our location, so we read its page as captured by the Internet Archive on August 14, 2026, and its mail form (revised 2020). Check the live page before you send anything.

Requesting the course

Dallas treats your application as a request only — the court replies by mail, usually within 5–7 business days. You can apply:

• online, through the court’s options page: choose the driving safety course, upload the Verification of Contact Information form and the required papers, and pay by Visa or Mastercard (a convenience fee applies);
• by mail to Dallas Municipal Court, 2014 Main St., Dallas, TX 75201 (the form adds Suite 105), with a check, cashier’s check or money order payable to “City of Dallas” — not cash;
• in person at 2014 Main St.

The court says certified mail is recommended but not required. If you’re mailing near the deadline, use certified mail, return receipt requested — that’s what state law refers to.

Texas licenses only: the court says other states’ licenses aren’t accepted (state law makes an exception for active-duty military and their families).

Fees

$144, or $169 for an offense in a school zone, paid when you request. Past the 21 days, the court says the amount “may be higher”.

Don’t start too early

Dallas specifically warns that taking the course, buying your driving record or getting the affidavit notarized before approval can get your request denied or revoked. Wait for the letter. The court also says National Safety Council and AARP courses aren’t approved for this — use a TDLR-approved course.

After the course: what to file

You have 90 days from approval:

1. the certificate of completion, with the “Court Copy” signed by you;
2. your DPS driving record — the Type 3A version (how to order it);
3. the notarized affidavit the court sends you.

Send them by mail or in person. Fax, email and live chat aren’t accepted. The court uses the postmark date as the date received.

The court says no extension is allowed on the 90 days. State law lets a judge allow more time for good cause, so if something goes wrong, contact the court before the deadline.

A note on the wording

Dallas’s form says the course is granted at the judge’s discretion. Under state law, if you’re eligible and ask on time, the judge must allow it (Art. 45A.352(a)). The court’s page also still cites the old Article 45.0511, which was replaced in 2025.