Texas Ticket Dismissal Requirements: How to Keep Points Off Your Record

Dec 15, 2025

Getting a traffic ticket dismissed is the most effective way to keep your driving record clean, prevent points from being assessed, and protect yourself from insurance rate hikes. The key process for dismissal in the Lone Star State involves fulfilling specific Texas ticket dismissal requirements, primarily by completing a state-approved Defensive Driving course. This proven method, often available 100% online through providers like SafeDriver.com, offers a convenient path to formally cancel the violation before it becomes a conviction on your record.

Understanding the Ticket Dismissal Process

Having a traffic citation dismissed means the court or state has officially canceled the violation, ensuring no conviction is entered on your driving record. This action prevents points from being added, which is critical because insurance companies typically only raise rates based on points, not on dismissed tickets. While the exact procedures differ by state, they generally follow three main steps: court approval, course completion, and certificate submission.

Texas Process

The process in Texas is specific and requires the following steps:

  1. Obtain Court Permission: You must first contact the court handling your citation to request permission for dismissal and confirm your eligibility. A key rule in Texas is that you cannot have used this dismissal option in the past 12 months.
  2. Complete the Course: Once approved, enroll in a state-approved defensive driving course. The shortest course allowed by Texas law is 6 hours long. SafeDriver.com's Texas course has the required TDLR approval (approval number #CP955 and school approval #C2492), making it acceptable to all Texas courts.
  3. Submit Documents: You must submit both your official course completion certificate and a copy of your Texas driving record to the court for formal dismissal before their deadline.

Florida Process (For comparison)

For a Florida citation, you must first elect traffic school with the Clerk of Court. You then complete the 4-hour Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course. Upon submission of your certificate, the court will withhold adjudication, which prevents points from being added to your record.

Important Note: Always verify the specific rules and deadlines with the court handling your citation, as requirements can vary by municipality.

Impact on Your Insurance and Driving Record

The primary benefit of a dismissed ticket is the protection of your insurance rates. Since the court does not record a conviction or assess points against your license, your insurance company has no official grounds to increase your premiums for that specific violation. In fact, completing a state-approved defensive driving course in Texas can often qualify you for an insurance discount of up to 10% for a period of three years. This turns a negative incident into a potential long-term savings opportunity. For background checks, most standard employment screenings focus on driving convictions. While a record of the ticket's issuance may remain in comprehensive court records, the dismissal means it generally will not appear as a conviction on the standard driving record reports accessed by employers and insurers.

Step-by-Step Guide to Dismissal

To successfully meet the Texas ticket dismissal requirements, follow these steps precisely:

  1. Verify Eligibility with Your Court: Contact the court listed on your citation to confirm you are eligible (e.g., you haven't used this option in the last 12 months) and request permission to take a defensive driving course.
  2. Enroll in an Approved Course: Choose a TDLR-approved course, such as the 100% online, 6-hour option from SafeDriver.com.
  3. Complete the Course: Finish the program at your own pace.
  4. Obtain Your Driving Record: Request a copy of your Texas driving record (usually Type 3A) from the Texas DPS.
  5. Submit Required Documents: Submit the course completion certificate and your driving record to the court clerk or magistrate before the court-assigned deadline.
  6. Confirm Dismissal: Always follow up with the court to ensure your documents were processed correctly and the citation has been officially dismissed. Keep copies of all submissions.

Citations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a dismissed traffic ticket?

A dismissed traffic ticket is a citation that has been officially canceled by the court system. This crucial action prevents any points from being assessed against your driving record, meaning it cannot negatively affect your insurance premiums or driver's license status.

Do dismissed tickets show up on a background check?

A properly dismissed ticket means no conviction is recorded, which is what standard background checks and driving record reports focus on. While the record of the initial ticket being issued may still exist in comprehensive court records, it will not appear as a conviction on the reports typically used by employers and insurance companies.

Can an officer dismiss a ticket?

No, an officer who issues a traffic citation does not have the authority to dismiss it once it has been written and submitted to the court. Only the official court system, magistrate, or judge can legally dismiss a traffic citation.

How often do traffic tickets get dismissed?

The option to dismiss a traffic ticket by completing a defensive driving course is typically limited by state law. In Texas, for example, you can only use this dismissal option once every 12 months, and you must first receive permission from the court.

Does a dismissed ticket affect insurance?

No, a properly dismissed ticket generally does not affect your insurance. Since the court withholds a conviction and no points are added to your record, there is no official change to your driver's risk profile based on that incident. Furthermore, completing the defensive driving course may qualify you for a premium discount.

Does a dismissed ticket show up on record?

The dismissal status is documented within court records, but the key is that no conviction or points are placed on your official driving record. This distinction means the incident will not show up on the standard driving records that insurance companies and most employers access.