Cheap Defensive Driving Courses in Texas
Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Texas
Taking a defensive driving course in Texas can be very beneficial. Along with improving your driving skills, completing a defensive driving course can help you get points removed from your license and even save you money on auto insurance. We put together a list of some of the cheapest defensive driving courses in Texas.
Best cheap online defensive driving courses in Texas
The cheapest defensive driving courses in Texas cost $25. We found 12 different providers that offer a defensive driving course for this price. Many of these providers offer courses in both English and Spanish, as well as online and in-person.
Provider | Class format | Price | Contact information |
|---|---|---|---|
| ApprovedCourse.com | Online | $25.00 | 800-581-3997 |
| DriversEd.com | Online, classroom | $25.00 | 877-877-2525 |
| I Drive Safely | Online, video | $25.00 | 800-723-1955 |
| MyImprov Comedy Defensive Driving | Online, classroom | $25.00 | 800-660-8908 |
| Driving University | Online | $25.00 | 877-937-4846 |
| USA Driver Safety Course | Online | $25.00 | 800-980-2170 |
| Aceable Defensive Driving | Online, video | $25.00 | 512-522-4174 |
| Texas Defensive Driving School | Online | $25.00 | 866-942-1937 |
| Express Lane Defensive Driving | Online | $25.00 | 855-366-1814 |
| 247TexasDriverSafety.com | Online | $25.00 | 888-718-3927 |
| Comedy Defensive Driving | Online, classroom | $25.00 | 866-540-0584 |
| iDefensiveDriving | Online, video | $25.00 | 800-446-1840 |
Providers that offer the driving safety course must follow a curriculum that meets the standards legislated in Chapter 1001 of the Texas Education Code. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) does this to ensure that the schools, course providers and instructors are qualified to develop and offer courses that truly make safer drivers out of their students.
Benefits of taking a defensive driving course in Texas
As a Texas motorist, you can get a ticket dismissed and receive a discount on your car insurance if you complete a defensive driving course.
Take a Texas defensive driving course for ticket dismissal
Article 45.0511 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure specifies that under certain circumstances, you can get a ticket dismissed and the points removed from your license if you complete a Texas-approved defensive driving course. Most minor moving violations, such as speeding tickets, can be dismissed this way.
Requirements to get your ticket dismissed
You are eligible to have your ticket dismissed if you meet the following criteria:
- You were not driving a commercial vehicle when you received the traffic ticket.
- You haven't taken a court-ordered defensive driving course in Texas in the 12 months prior to receiving your ticket.
- You have a valid Texas driver's license.
- Your ticket wasn't issued for a serious traffic violation, such as passing a school bus or speeding more than 25 mph over the speed limit.
- You provided proof of car insurance after your involvement in an accident.
Texas keeps track of moving violations through its point system. For example:
If you receive multiple speeding tickets and accumulate six driving points within a three-year period, the state will fine you $100 for each infraction, plus $25.99 for each point thereafter. Even though a moving violation results in a mere two points, they can easily pile up if you're not careful. The good news is that you won't have to pay the fine — and the violations won't impact your car insurance rates — if you choose to take a driving safety course.
Insurance discount
While getting points removed can already help lower your insurance rate, some insurers offer a discount on their policies if you complete a defensive driving course in Texas.
Insurers typically offer around 10% off an insurance premium for three years if you complete the course. For example, we've found that Geico and State Farm offer this discount. But unlike in some other states, the discount isn't mandatory in Texas — so check with your carrier to see whether you can apply the discount to your policy.
Texas defensive driving school curriculum
For adult drivers, the curriculum includes:
- Alcohol and drug awareness
- Traffic laws of the state
- Highway signs, signals and markings that regulate, warn or direct traffic
- Issues commonly associated with motor vehicle accidents, including poor decision-making, risk-taking, impaired driving, distraction, speed, failure to use a safety belt, driving at night, failure to yield the right of way and using a wireless communication device while operating a vehicle
TDLR has also developed a specialized curriculum for drivers under the age of 25. The course is offered in person and lasts for four hours. The curriculum includes the following topics:
- Alcohol and drug awareness
- Traffic laws of the state
- High rate of motor vehicle accidents and fatalities for drivers younger than 25 years of age
- Issues commonly associated with motor vehicle accidents involving drivers younger than 25 years of age, including poor decision-making, risk-taking, impaired driving, distraction, speed, failure to use a safety belt, driving at night, failure to yield the right of way, using a wireless communication device while operating a vehicle and the role of peer pressure in these incidents
- The effect of poor decision-making on the family, friends, school and community of a driver younger than 25 years of age
- The importance of taking control of potentially dangerous driving situations both as a driver and as a passenger
- To complete the course, the young driver must submit a written commitment to family and friends that they will not engage in dangerous driving habits
Frequently asked questions
How long is the defensive driving course in Texas?
All courses, whether online or in-person, are mandated to be at least six hours long. The only exception is the specialized course for drivers under the age of 25. This course is required to be conducted in person and lasts four hours.
How much does it cost to take a defensive driving course in Texas?
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) requires all defensive driving courses to cost at least $25. While most courses cost $25, some are more expensive due to in-person instruction, included meals and additional material.
How do I find an approved defensive driving course in Texas?
You can find the full list of approved defensive driving courses in Texas
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