DRIVING SAFETY COURSE (DSC)

A defendant may request a Driving Safety Course if the following criteria is met:

Must not have taken a driving safety course within the 12 months preceding the date of the current offense.

A plea of guilty or no contest is required when the request is made.  REQUEST FOR A DRIVING SAFETY COURSE must be made on or before the initial appearance date listed on the citation.

Must have a Valid Texas Driver’s License or Permit . Copy must be mailed with request.

Present Proof of Financial Responsibility.  Your name must be listed on the policy. Copy must be mailed with request.

Pay Court Cost in the amount of $107.00 or $132.00 if the offense was committed in a school zone.  Must be mailed with request. No Personal Checks Accepted.

An affidavit stating that he/she was not taking DSC at the time of the request nor has he/she taken a course that is not on his/her driving record. Download, print, fill out, and return the required REQUEST FOR A DRIVING SAFETY COURSE and have the affidavit notarized.  This REQUEST must be received on or before the initial appearance date LISTED ON THE CITATION

Once the above listed paperwork and payment is received by the court

You will be notified by mail of paperwork due date; however, the 90 days begins the day the court receives the above mentioned paperwork and payment.  REMEMBER THE REQUEST MUST BE MADE ON OR BEFORE THE INITIAL APPEARANCE DATE LISTED ON THE CITATION. The Court defers imposition of the judgment for 90 days. The defendant must take the course and present the SIGNED COURT COPY of the course completion certificate by the 90^th day. Defendant is also required to present to the court a certified copy of his/her driving record as maintained by DPS by the 90^th day.  Individuals may request driving records through the mail by submitting a DR-1 form www.txdps.state.tx.us or by using the DPS online services www.texasonline.state.tx.us. Under Subsection (u), the defendant’s driving record and affidavit are required to show that defendant did not have specialized DSC within the 12 months preceding the date of the current offense.

Request may be in person or in writing. If mailed, request must be sent certified mail. (Art. 45.0511(b)(3), C.C.P.)

If all terms are not met within the 90 day period:

If defendant fails to furnish the evidence within the 90^th day after the request, the court shall set a show cause hearing and notify the person by mail.  The court does not have to accept late paperwork.  If late paperwork is not accepted, the court shall enter a final judgment ordering the defendant to pay the fine of $200.00.

The defendant may waive his/her right to the show cause hearing by contacting the court for instructions. By waiving his/her right to the show cause hearing, the court shall enter a final judgment ordering the defendant to pay the fine of $200.00.  If a defendant does not waive his/her right to a show cause hearing and fails to appear at the show cause hearing, the court may, after signing a final judgment, issue a capias pro fine warrant.

If you qualify for DSC, please print and fill out the form.  A plea of guilty or no contest must be made and the affidavit must be notarized.  Send the completed form to the court with a copy of a valid Texas driver’s license, a copy of valid vehicle insurance (your name must be listed on the policy), and a money order in the amount of $107.00 or $132.00 if the offense was committed in a school zone. Contact the court for a date. If you are under age 17, you must appear in open court with a parent or legal guardian to make the request.

 YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR DSC IF:

● Offenses committed in a construction work maintenance zone when workers are present, Sec. 542.404, T.C.; Art. 45.0511(p)(3), C.C.P.;

● Traffic offenses committed by a person with a commercial driver’s license, Art. 45.0511(s), C.C.P.;

● Passing a school bus, Sec. 545.066, T.C.;

● Leaving the scene of an accident, Sec. 550.022 or 550.023, T.C.; or