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After-course checklist

What to Do After Completing Texas Defensive Driving

Finished Texas defensive driving? Follow this ticket-dismissal checklist for your certificate, driver record, affidavit, court submission and proof.

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Quick answer

Finishing the course is not the final step.

Finishing the course is only one part of the dismissal process. After completion, download your certificate, gather any required driving record or affidavit, and submit everything exactly as your court directs.

1

Check the certificate

Review every important field immediately and request corrections quickly.

2

Gather court documents

Driver record, affidavit, fees, or other items may still be required.

3

Submit + save proof

Use the court-approved delivery method and keep confirmation.

4

Verify closure

Do not assume course completion by itself means the court has finished the case.

Step 1: receive and review your completion certificate

After successful completion, the driving safety provider issues the uniform certificate of course completion. Check your name, driver-license information, court, completion date, and other case details as soon as you receive it. If anything is wrong, contact the provider promptly so a correction does not jeopardize your deadline.
After the course

4 follow-up steps to finish the court process

Course completion is only part of the process. Use these four checks to make sure your documents are complete and your case is actually finished.

Step 2: gather the other documents your court requires

A dismissal case can also require a DPS driving record and an affidavit about prior course completion. Article 45A.356 describes those documents, while Article 45A.359 lets some judges retrieve the driving record through the state portal instead. Use the checklist from your specific court rather than assuming every court handles the record the same way.

Step 3: submit the documents exactly as instructed

Courts may accept documents through an online portal, email, mail, in person, or another court-specific method. Use the submission method listed in your court order or instructions. If the court asks for a particular file format, signature, case number, or subject line, follow it exactly.

Step 4: keep proof and verify the case is closed

Save copies of the certificate, driving record, affidavit, payment receipts, confirmation emails, upload receipts, and any screen showing successful submission. After the court has had time to process the documents, check the case status or contact the clerk if the court provides no confirmation.

What happens when the requirements are satisfied?

Article 45A.356 provides that when the statutory requirements are satisfied, the court removes the judgment and dismisses each eligible charge, and reports the successful course completion to DPS for the eligibility history used in future driving-safety-course requests.
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CP1237 · TDLR-LICENSED DRIVING SAFETY PROVIDER

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Common questions

After Defensive Driving FAQ

Quick answers to the questions drivers most often need before they move forward.

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Is my ticket automatically dismissed when I finish defensive driving?

No. Course completion is only part of the process. You still need to satisfy the court requirements and submit the required evidence by the due date.

What if my name or court information is wrong on the certificate?

Contact the course provider promptly and request a correction. Do not alter the certificate yourself.

Do I need to send my driving record with the certificate?

Often the dismissal process involves a DPS driving record, but some courts may retrieve it directly. Follow your specific court instructions.

How do I know the court received everything?

Keep submission confirmations and check the case status using the court method available to you. Contact the clerk if you do not receive confirmation and the deadline is approaching.

Official sources

Verify the rules from Texas sources

This guide summarizes statewide rules. Your court's instructions control your individual case.

Related guides How Often Can You Take It?Defensive Driving EligibilityDefensive Driving Deadline View all Texas driving safety guides →
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