Irving, TX
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Defensive Driving

If you are interested in taking a driving safety course to dismiss your citation you must request permission to take defensive driving from the Court by mail, fax, or in person within 21 days of the date of the citation. 

If you make your request by mail or fax, detailed instructions will be mailed to you regarding eligibility requirements and costs. The fax number to request defensive driving is (972) 721-2383.  

The application affidavit form may now be downloaded. This form is in PDF format (Download the PDF reader here).

You may also have information and the application affidavit form faxed to you automatically from the court's automated 24 hour system by calling (972) 721-3773. You can dial 549 at any time during the call to take you directly to the Defensive Driving information. You will be given instructions on how to have the instructions and application affidavit form automatically faxed to you at any local fax machine.

If you wish to request defensive driving in person, the same instructions will be given to you at the court clerk window located in the lobby of the Municipal Court. The following are the standard eligibility requirements for approval to take defensive driving:

  • You must not have been cited with speeding 25 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit.

  • You must have a valid Texas driver's license.

  • You will NOT be eligible for defensive driving if you hold a commercial driver's license, or held a commercial driver's license when the offense was committed regardless of whether you were in a commercial vehicle or personal vehicle or car.

  • You must provide proof of financial responsibility or vehicle liability insurance.

  • Defensive driving can only be approved if a plea of guilty or no contest is entered with the court.  

  • You must not have completed a defensive driving course (for the purpose of dismissing a previous citation) within one (1) year preceding the date of the offense on your current citation.

  • You must remit cash, check, or money order to pay court costs and applicable fees before taking the defensive driving course.

If applying by mail, please wait until you have received written permission from the court before taking the course. Upon approval you will be granted 90 days to complete the course and to obtain a certified copy of your driving record from the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin. Upon successful completion and returning of your documents to the court within 90 days, your citation will be dismissed.

The court is not allowed to recommend a specific defensive driving course school. You may refer to the yellow pages of the telephone directory, under "Driving Instruction" and call one of the numbers listed. It is important for you to ask if the course is approved for the dismissal of a traffic citation. Make all payments payable to the City of Irving.