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Haga clic para aquí ver esta página en españolTable of ContentsWhat is a Driving Safety Course? Who can take defensive driving to dismiss a traffic ticket? What other requirements must I meet before I take the class? Can I get a discount on my insurance rates if I take your course? What do I need to bring to class What does your course consist of? I have a teenager who has taken a Driver Education Course. Will Defensive Driving Help them? Do I receive my certificate the same day I complete the class? Does the course provider send the certificate to the court? Can I still get a discount on my insurance even if I take the class for ticket dismissal? Q. What is a Driving Safety Course?A. A Driver Safety Course is a six-hour course that is Texas Education Agency approved under the Texas Driver and Safety Education Act (article 4413-29C, Texas Civil Statutes as permitted by State Legislation.) It is a method of having your traffic citation dismissed after successfully completing one of these Driving Safety Classes. You must, however, notify the court of your intent to attend a Driving Safety Course and the court MUST give you permission. You also need to meet all eligibility requirements of the court, pay any required court costs and fees, take the Driving Safety Course before the time limit set by the court has expired, and return all required documentation to the court in a timely manner.Back to TopQ. Who can take defensive driving to dismiss a traffic ticket?A. If you have a Texas driver license or permit and meet certain requirements, Texas state law allows you to dismiss one traffic ticket every 12 months by taking a TEA-approved driving safety course. Back to TopQ. What other requirements must be met before I can take a defensive driving class for ticket dismissal?A. In addition to having a driver license, several of the other requirements that you must meet before being allowed to take a driving safety class for ticket dismissal include: you must NOT possess a commercial drivers license (CDL); you must admit guilt or sign a statement that you do not contest the citation (nolo contendere); and if you were charged with speeding, the citation must state that it was not more than 25 miles above the posted speed limit. There are other criteria, and the court has the final decision on whether you'll be permitted to dismiss the ticket by completing a driving safety course. Some municipal court judges and justices of the peace require you to contact the court before you take the driving safety course for purposes of ticket dismissal. Be sure to obtain the court's permission first. By contacting the court that is indicated on your traffic ticket, you may prevent delays, added expenses, or a requirement that you repeat the course. Back to TopQ. Can I get a discount on my insurance if I take the Course?A. Although no longer required to do so, some insurance companies will provide a discount (usually 10%) for three years on the liability portion of your auto insurance premiums if you provide proof of completion of a driving safety courses. However, the amount of the discount (if any) and the driving safety courses that an insurance company will accept are strictly up to that insurance company, so you'll need to check with your insurance agent. Q. What do I need to bring to class?A. We ask that you bring the following to class: your drivers license, a pen (black or blue ink only) to write with and either your traffic ticket or paperwork from the court (if you are attending to dismiss a traffic citation). We need the exact information on your citation when your certificate application is filled out during class. Also, if you are attending one of our locations that serves a meal, please bring a gratuity for your wait person. Q. Who conducts the class?A. Classroom sessions are conducted by TEA licensed instructors. Back to TopQ. What does your course consist of?A. Texas State Defensive Driving uses course materials that involve the student in many aspects of the class. All classes are presented in a relaxed and comfortable setting. Video presentations, other visual tools, student workbooks and instructor led discussions are used in conjunction with student participation. Because of personal experience, a student may be able to discuss driving situations differently from the instructor. This can be helpful to other students in the class. Students also bring 'real life' examples of different traffic situations for everyone to share. Q. I have a teenager who has taken a driver education course. Will the defensive driving class help them?A. Definitely. Driver Education courses are designed to teach people how to mechanically drive a car and to teach them the laws of the road. However, there are only seven hours of actual behind the wheel training. Texas State Defensive Driving offers a course that can teach them how to 'mentally' drive a car. Many parents have attended our classes for ticket dismissal and then sent their teenage children to our class for reinforcement training and that 'mental' training. Q. Do I receive my certificate the same day I complete the class?A. The instructor is NOT allowed to hand you the certificate at the end of the course, and you cannot download a completion certificate after completing an online course. By state law, it must be mailed to you. Your certificate will normally be mailed to you by First Class mail within 21 calendar days after you complete the course, so you'll need to take the course well ahead of the deadline imposed by the court. TSDD does offer an expedited (delivery in 10 days) and overnight (delivery in 5 days) of your certificate at an extra cost. Back to TopQ. Does the course provider send the certificate to the court?A. No! The course provider is not permitted to mail the certificate to the court. It must be delivered or mailed by you to the court. It is recommended that you either hand carry your "Court" certificate to the court or that you send it to the court via certified mail so it will arrive by the date previously established by the court. Back to TopQ. Can I still get a discount on my insurance even if I take the class for ticket dismissal?A. YES! The 10% vehicle insurance discount is valid with all Texas insurance companies except (possibly) county mutuals, regardless of the reason that you took the course; i.e., whether you took the course for pure education, insurance discount, or ticket dismissal. The envelope that you receive from the course provider will actually contain two certificates: one for the court, and the other for your insurance agent. We suggest that you make a copy of the insurance certificate in case you change insurance companies because the 10% insurance discount is valid for three years even if you switch insurance companies. Back to TopTSDD
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