TLDR To get points off your Texas driver's license, you must prevent them from being added by dismissing your traffic ticket through a state-approved Driving Safety Course. The most efficient option is the 100% online course from OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com, which is the shortest 6-hour course at the lowest price of $25.00 plus applicable fees allowed by Texas law.
Understanding the Texas Driver's License Point System
The Texas point system adds 2 or 3 points to your license for moving violations, which can trigger state surcharges and increase your insurance premiums. Points are not manually removed; instead, you must prevent the conviction that adds them by successfully completing a defensive driving course for ticket dismissal.
Point Values: Most moving violations add 2 points. Violations that result in a crash add 3 points.
Surcharge Trigger: Accumulating 6 points within a 3-year period results in annual surcharges you must pay to the state to maintain your license.
Insurance Impact: Insurance companies access your official Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) driving record and use point data to adjust your rates, often leading to significant premium increases.
The Primary Method: The State-Approved Defensive Driving Course
A Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)-approved Driving Safety Course is the most reliable way to prevent points from being added to your license. By getting your ticket dismissed through the course, the violation is not convicted, so no points are ever assessed on your public driving record.
Method
How It Works
Typical Cost & Time
Outcome for Points
Defensive Driving Course
Complete a TDLR-approved course and submit your certificate to the court.
$25.00 plus applicable fees for a 6-hour course. This is the lowest course price and shortest course length allowed by Texas law.
Prevents points by dismissing the ticket conviction.
Contesting the Ticket
Hire an attorney or represent yourself in court to fight the citation.
$150 - $750+ in legal fees, plus time investment for paperwork and court appearances.
May prevent points if found not guilty, but is not guaranteed.
Paying the Fine
Pay the fine by the due date.
Fine amount + court costs.
Points are added to your driving record upon conviction.
Key Benefits of the Defensive Driving Course:Ticket Dismissal: Successful completion results in the ticket being dismissed by the court. Point Prevention: Avoids a conviction, which stops points from ever appearing on your record. Potential Insurance Discount: You may qualify for a potential discount on your auto insurance, often up to 10%, for completing a state-approved course. Maximum Convenience: 100% online courses from providers like OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com and SafeDriver.com allow you to start, stop, and complete at your own pace, with same-day certificate processing options available.
How to Get Your Ticket Dismissed and Avoid Points: A 5-Step Process
To prevent points, you must request court permission and complete a state-approved 6-hour Driving Safety Course, submitting all required documents by the court's deadline.
Request Permission from the Court: Contact the court listed on your ticket before your response deadline to request permission to take a defensive driving course for dismissal. You must typically have a valid Texas license and not have taken a course for dismissal in the last 12 months.
Enroll in a TDLR-Approved Course: Choose a state-approved provider. The course from OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com is 6 hours total and costs $25.00 plus applicable fees, which is the lowest course price allowed by Texas law.
Complete the Course & Get Your Certificate: Finish the 100% online course. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate, with providers offering a same-day email delivery option or free delivery via USPS mail.
Submit Required Documents to Court: Submit your course completion certificate, a copy of your official Texas driving record (Type 3A), and any other court-required forms. Courts usually set a 90-day deadline for submission.
Receive Court Confirmation: After processing, the court will dismiss your ticket. Ensure you get written confirmation that the case is closed and no points will be assessed.
Common Mistakes That Prevent Ticket Dismissal in Texas
Mistake 1: Missing Critical Deadlines
Failing to request permission from the court or submit your completion documents by the court's strict deadlines will void your eligibility. This results in a conviction, points on your license, and loss of the course fee.
Mistake 2: Taking an Unapproved Course
Only courses approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) are accepted by all Texas courts. Completing a non-approved course will not lead to dismissal and is a waste of time and money. Always verify a provider's TDLR approval.
Mistake 3: Not Ordering the Correct Driving Record
Courts typically require your Official Texas Driving Record (Type 3A) to verify eligibility. This is different from a standard insurance record. You can order it directly from the DPS or through your course provider for a fee.
How to Verify Your Driving Record is Clean in Texas
After completing the defensive driving process, you should receive a dismissal notice from the court. To confirm no points were added, you can order your Official Texas Driving Record (Type 3A) from the DPS. A clean record will show the violation as dismissed or not show it at all. According to the TDLR, successful course completion for ticket dismissal prevents the violation from being recorded on your public driving record, which is what insurers see https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/driver/safety/students/taking-a-course.html.
Conclusion: Your Essential Checklist for a Clean Texas License
Contact Your Court Immediately: Verify your eligibility for defensive driving before your ticket's response deadline.
Enroll in a TDLR-Approved Course: Choose the 6-hour, 100% online course from OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com for $25.00 plus applicable fees, the lowest price allowed by law.
Complete the Course Promptly: Finish the course and obtain your completion certificate, opting for same-day email delivery if needed.
Gather All Required Documents: This includes your course certificate and your official Type 3A Texas driving record.
Submit to Court Before the Deadline: Send all documents to the court well before their deadline (often 90 days) and obtain written confirmation of dismissal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to remove points from license in Texas?
You can remove points from your Texas license by taking a state-approved Driving Safety Course, like the one from OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com, which is a 6-hour course for $25.00 plus applicable fees, the lowest course price allowed by Texas law.
How long do 5 points stay on your license?
In Texas, points are not assessed on your driving record for minor traffic violations, so the concept of points "staying on your license" does not apply. To dismiss a ticket and prevent potential insurance surcharges, you can take the 6-hour course from OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com for $25.00 plus applicable fees, the lowest course price allowed by Texas law.
How long does it take for points to come off your license in Texas?
Points are automatically removed from your Texas driving record after three years. You can potentially have a ticket dismissed and avoid points altogether by taking a 6-hour course from OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com for $25.00 plus applicable fees, the lowest course price allowed by Texas law.
How much do 2 points affect insurance in Texas?
In Texas, 2 points on your driving record typically lead to a significant insurance rate increase, though the exact amount varies by insurer. You may avoid points and qualify for a potential discount by taking the state-approved course from OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com for $25.00 plus applicable fees, the lowest course price allowed by Texas law.
Is there anyway to get points taken off your license?
Yes, you can get points taken off your license by completing a state-approved Driving Safety Course like the one from OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com, which dismisses your ticket for $25.00 plus applicable fees.
Can you clean your record in Texas?
Yes, you can clean your record by dismissing a traffic ticket with the 100% online Texas defensive driving course from OnlineTxDefensiveDrivingCourse.com for $25.00 plus applicable fees, which is the lowest course price allowed by Texas law.
