Houston Defensive Driving Course Benefits:
1. Start Now, Pay later: try the course out, participate in all chapters of reading without paying a cent!
2. Log on and off at anytime: the course saves your progress so feel free to take a break and come back whenever you feel like it!
3. Certificate processing 7 days a week: we're available 24/7, which means that your certificate is processed shortly after you graduate from this Houston Defensive Driving Course , 7 days a week!
Houston Defensive Driving Course Court Details.
(From the Houston Muncipal Courts)
How do I request Driver Safety Course (Houston Defensive Driving) or Motorcycle Operator Training Course (MOTC)?
The Code of Criminal Procedure, Art 45.051(q) states “You may be able to require that this charge be dismissed by successfully completing a driving safety course or a motorcycle operator training course. You will lose that right if before your appearance date you do not provide the Court with notice of your request to take the course.
There are two types of Defensive Driving, mandatory and discretionary, which are explained in greater detail below. Also, you must check below to see if you are qualified to take Defensive Driving. You must wait at least ten (10) days after you are issued the citation to request Defensive Driving/MOTC. You may apply for Defensive Driving/MOTC on or before your scheduled court date and time at any Court location or by mail.
You must request Defensive Driving or MOTC before your arraignment setting or you will lose the right to elect it at a later time. It is too late to elect Defensive Driving.MOTC at trial. Please allow 10 days from the date the ticket was issued to make your request.
Defensive Driving Eligibility:
You are not eligible to take Defensive Driving / MOTC if:
You hold a Commercial Drivers License (CDL);
You have taken a Court-ordered Houston Defensive Driving for another ticket within one year from the date of this citation;
You are charged with:
95 miles per hour or more;
Speeding 25 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit;
Passing a school bus;
Committing a serious traffic violation;
Failing to stop and provide information or render aid after an accident;
Committing an offense in a construction zone when workers are present;
You do not have a valid Texas Drivers License**
** (MILITARY EXEMPTION: Active military, their spouses and dependents).
Mandatory Defensive Driving /MOTC:
You must check the eligibility criteria above to see if you are qualified for Mandatory Defensive Driving. You must wait at least ten (10) days after you are issued the citation to request Defensive Driving/MOTC. You must apply for Mandatory Defensive Driving/MOTC on or before your scheduled court date at any Court location or by mail.
Mandatory Houston Defensive Driving/MOTC fees:
Moving Violation: $110.10
School Zone Moving Violation: $135.10
Discretionary Defensive Driving /MOTC:
You may request discretionary Houston Defensive Driving / MOTC if:
You failed to request the mandatory Defensive Driving/MOTC on or before your arraignment date; -or-
You have taken a mandatory Defensive Driving/MOTC within one year from the date of this citation
Discretionary Defensive Driving /MOTC fees:
Moving Violation: $150.10
School Zone Moving Violation: $175.10
Request by phone:
You may dial 713.837.0311 to speak to a One Call Solution Center representative by phone to submit your Defensive Driving/MOTC information. You will need access to a computer and email to complete this process.
Request by mail:
If you have read all of the above information and meet the eligibility criteria please follow the instructions below to apply for the Defensive Driving/MOTC by mail:
Items to mail Defensive Driving /MOTC request:
Photocopy of your current auto liability policy
Photocopy of your valid Texas Drivers License
Defensive Driving Fee indicated above
Completed and signed Defensive Driving/MOTC application
ALL MAIL SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO:
City of Houston Municipal Courts
P.O. Box 4996
Houston, Texas 77210-4996
Request in person:
If you have read all of the above information and meet the eligibility criteria please follow the instructions below to apply for the Defensive Driving /MOTC in person:
Items to bring to Court for a Defensive Driving /MOTC request:
Photocopy of your current auto liability policy
Photocopy of your valid Texas Drivers License
Defensive Driving Fee indicated above
Completed and signed Defensive Driving /MOTC application
Appear in person with the above documents at any of our six Court locations:
How do I know I have been approved to take Defensive Driving /MOTC?
The Court will notify you by mail and will outline the requirements/deadlines listed below. You will have ninety (90) days to complete the Defensive Driving/MOTC and submit the following by mail or in person:
How do I obtain the Defensive Driving /MOTC forms?
The eligibility and requirement instructions along with an Application and Request form are listed below and can be downloaded in .pdf format.
Remember, the Texas Defensive Driving / Texas Drivers Safety course you elect to take must be approved by the Texas Education Agency.
Application for Defensive Driving/MOTC
Defensive Driving Affidavit
Order Driving Record
What do I need to submit back to the Court?
You will need to submit proof either in person or by mail that you have complied with all of the requirements and met the deadline outlined in the Court’s instructions. The items you must remit to the Court are as follows:
Items to remit for Mandatory Defensive Driving/MOTC:
Certificate of Completion (you MUST submit the “Court Copy”)
Certified copy of your driving record
A signed and notarized Defensive Driving Affidavit (Note: If you deliver your documents in person, the clerk will certify the Affidavit for a fee of $2.00).
Items to remit for Discretionary Defensive Driving /MOTC:
If you fail to comply with any of the above-stated requirements, you will have a conviction on your driving record and you will be required to pay the fine amount. Failure to pay this fine amount will result in a warrant of arrest being issued.
What if documents are not turned in timely?
Defendants will be required to appear at a Show Cause Hearing approximately 30 days after the due date. A letter will be sent to the address on file or the defendant may dial 713.837.0311 for hearing information.
Conclusion
When you complete our Texas Drivers Safety Course you will receive 2 certificates. 1 certificate will be for the Houston Court, or the court listed on your traffic citation. The other certificate will be for your insurance agent. In most cases, your insurance company will give you a discount of 10% for completion of a Texas State Approved Defensive Driving Course. So in a nutshell, get your Texas Ticket Dismissal by taking this Houston Defensive Driving Course AND get a Texas Insurance reduction. |
