Texas Defensive Driving Courses – Everything You Need to Know

Defensive Driving Courses in Texas are valuable programs designed to help save lives. Defensive driving schools in Texas are designed to help drivers improve their skills, reduce their risk of accidents, and lower their insurance rates. If you’re looking to attend a defensive driving school in Texas, this guide is for you. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about Texas defensive driving schools, including the benefits, types of classes available, and what to look for when choosing a school.

Benefits of Taking a Texas Defensive Driving Course

Attending a defensive driving school in Texas has several benefits, including:

  1. Lowering Insurance Rates: Insurance companies often offer discounts to drivers who complete a defensive driving course. By attending a Texas defensive driving school, you can lower your insurance rates and save money on your premium.
  2. Improving Driving Skills: Defensive driving schools provide drivers with the opportunity to learn new driving techniques, brush up on the rules of the road, and receive feedback from experienced instructors. These skills can help you avoid accidents and drive more confidently on the road.
  3. Reducing Points on Your License: If you receive a traffic violation, you can attend a defensive driving school in Texas to reduce the number of points on your license. This can help you avoid license suspension and maintain your driving privileges.

What to Look for When Choosing a Texas Defensive Driving School

When choosing a Texas defensive driving school, it’s important to consider several factors, including:

  • Approval: Make sure the defensive driving school you choose is accredited by the state of Texas. All courses must be accredited by the TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations). A traffic ticket can have serious consequences, so it’s important to make sure the course you choose is approved.
  • Course Content: The TDLR has certain requirements that every approved DSC (Driver Safety Course, also known as “Defensive Driving”) must contain. Look for a Course Provider number to ensure that the courses contain these content and have been approved by the TDLR.
  • Instructor Qualifications: Again, the TDLR has specific requirements for instructors. Even when taking an online course, there’s still technically an instructor. Be sure you see a Course Provider number on the site. That will indicate that the instructor is approved and qualified.
  • Reputation: Look for a defensive driving school with a good reputation. You can research the school online, ask for referrals from friends and family, or check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the school.

All Texas courts allow a defensive driving course to dismiss a speeding ticket. Whether or not you are eligible is at the discretion of the court though. Typically there’s a few rules regarding who can take a defensive driving course in Texas. This includes factors like the speed you were going, if you have recently taken a course, and if you hold a commercial drivers license. Any of these factors could potentially disqualify you from qualifying for defensive driving.

Does Defensive Driving work? There’s a reason why auto insurance companies offer a discount to drivers who complete a Defensive Driving Course. Really think about that. Insurance companies are so sure that the course helps you be safer that they provide a discount specifically for taking the course.