El Paso Municipal Courts: requesting a driving safety course

El Paso’s municipal courts give you more ways — and more time — to ask than most Texas courts: you can request the course right up to your hearing, or in front of the judge on your court day.

Requesting the course

You can request the course “by right” if you’re eligible:

• online;
• by mail to 810 E Overland, El Paso, TX 79901, with your full name, date of birth, citation number, phone number and a check or money order for the court costs and fees;
• in person at the Pebble Hills, Mission Valley or Northeast offices (the Westside office is currently closed); or
• at your hearing, before the judge.

Deadline: before your scheduled court hearing, or before the judge on your day in court.

Fees: the court charges court costs and an administration fee, but doesn’t publish the amount online. Call (915) 212-0215 or email defensivedriving@elpasotexas.gov to check.

After the course: what to file

Finish within 90 days of your request and bring or mail:

1. a copy of your Type 3A certified driving record (how to order it);
2. the TDLR “Court Copy” of your completion certificate;
3. a copy of your car insurance.

A judge “may, but is not required” to extend if you miss the deadline — so ask before it passes.

El Paso’s list of exclusions

You must be 17 or older. El Paso’s page lists more excluded offenses than state law does — including reckless driving, fleeing or eluding, and passing an emergency vehicle — and it doesn’t mention the state’s 95 mph exclusion. If your ticket is for one of these, ask the court. If you’re not eligible as of right, the court says you must ask the judge at your hearing.

The court’s request form still cites the old Article 45.0511; the current rules are in Articles 45A.351–45A.359.