When Can I Dismiss A Traffic Ticket In Texas?

While no one wants to get a traffic ticket, it happens to millions of people every year. Depending on what the ticket is for, you may be able to get a ticket in Texas dismissed, but how? Find out how to get a ticket dismissed if you live in Texas below!

Your Options

To start, you should never ignore a traffic ticket. If you fail to pay a ticket, it could lead to a warrant being issued for your arrest and when you try to renew your Texas driver's license, it can be denied. When you do get a traffic ticket in Texas, you have different plea options available to you:

• Guilty
• Not guilty 
• No contest (Nolo Contendre)

If you plead guilty or no contest, then you must pay the ticket on or before your court date. If you decide to plead not guilty, then you can fight it. You are able to plead not guilty for any traffic offense and defend yourself at a trial where the ticket may be dismissed.

When A Traffic Ticket Can Be Dismissed In Texas

When you get a traffic ticket, the court will usually send you a notice to indicate whether or not you would be able to have the ticket dismissed. You can also check out the actual ticket, as it may also provide dismissal instructions. If you do not receive a notice in the mail or see instructions on the ticket, you should check with the court where the ticket was issued.

In general, here are the requirements for being able to dismiss a traffic ticket in Texas:

• 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.

Besides the items listed above, the severity of the ticket also plays a role. The possibility of dismissal usually is only allowed for lower-level offenses, which include the following:

• No drivers license
• No proof of insurance
• Expired drivers license
• Expired vehicle inspection
• Expired vehicle registration
• Altered license plate
• Defective equipment

For the ticket to be dismissed, you will have to provide compliance documents on or before the date of your scheduled court hearing (if one is required). Keep in mind, you may still have to pay a dismissal fee even if the ticket is dismissed.

When A Traffic Ticket Can't Be Dismissed In Texas

By having a traffic ticket dismissed, the courts are giving drivers a one-time pass for minor offenses. However, some offenses are just too unsafe to excuse even one time. If you do any of the following you won't be able to dismiss a ticket:

• Speeding at 25 MPH or more over the speed limit
• Driving at 95 MPH or faster
• Passing a school bus
• Failing to stay and provide information and assistance after involvement in a vehicular accident
• Violating rules in a construction zone with workers present
• Fleeing the police

Of course, there are other serious violations that are not dismissable, which are up to the discretion of the police officer and the court.

Another Option - Defensive Driving School

Another option available to Texas drivers is taking a defensive driving course online, which would get the incident removed from your driving record. A lot of the common offenses, like speeding less than 24 miles over the speed limit, are eligible for this option.

Before trying to option, you must do the following:

• Request permission from the court to take a defensive driving course.
• Pay all required court fees.
• Submit the payment, the ticket, your driver’s license, and proof of insurance to the court.

Once you have all of the above taken care of, you can then sign up for the defensive driving course. To successfully complete the course and have the incident removed from your driving record, you must do the following:

• Sign up for Texas defensive driving with a state-approved education provider.
• Complete the 6-hour defensive driving course.
• Wait for your certificate to arrive in the mail.
• Sign your certificate when you receive it.
• Turn in your certificate to your court in person or by mail. Some courts may require a type 3A driver record in addition to the certificate.

The court will review everything once it is received and you should get the dismissal and your record would be cleared of the ticket.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's license journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.