Smith County Defensive Driving
If you've recently received a ticket in Smith County, whether in Tyler, Lindale, Whitehouse, Arp, or another city, you may be able to have it dismissed by taking a defensive driving course (which is also referred to as a driving safety course). Here's what you need to know and how to start the process:
First, make sure you are eligible to have the ticket dismissed. It is up to the Smith County Court to determine whether you can take a defensive driving course/driver safety course to dismiss the ticket. You must contact the Court to ask if your ticket is eligible for dismissal. If the court approves you to take a course, you are eligible to take our 100% online, easy and simple Texas Defensive Driving course.
In Smith County, you may request that your citation be dismissed by successfully completing a driving safety course. You may lose the right to take the course if you fail to perform the following on or before the original due date on your citation:
- Enter a plea of guilty or nolo contendere
- Waive your right to a trial by jury
- Submit to the court a Driving Safety Course Request Form
- Hold a valid Texas driver's license, or be an active member of the United States Military
- Provide proof of auto liability insurance showing you were a covered driver on the date of the offense
- Pay the Driving Safety Course fee to the Court in the amount of $112.00
You do not qualify to take a driver safety course in Smith County if:
- You are charged with speeding 25 or more mph above the posted speed limit
- You are charged with passing a school bus
- You are charged with violating a duty to stop and give information
- The offense was committed in a construction or maintenance work zone when workers were present
- You hold a commercial driver's license or held one at the time the offense was committed
You have the following options:
Mail the request to take the course, along with your fee and court costs of $112.00, proof of insurance, and a copy of your driver's license postmarked no later than the original due date on your citation; or you may bring in the request, payment, proof of insurance and copy of your driver's license to the Court on or before the original due date on your citation.
NOTE: You must NOT have taken an approved defensive driving course within the 12 months period preceding the date of the offense.
Second, register for our Texas Defensive Driving course. Make sure it is the person who got the traffic ticket that registers, not another family member or friend, as this will also be the name on the Certificate of Completion.
Third, order your Certified Texas Driving Record, which all Texas courts will require in addition to your Certificate of Completion.
Once you've registered, you can begin the Texas Defensive Driving course. Log in and out as much as you like, the test will pick back up where you left off, however the course must be completed within three months of registering. The course is user-friendly and section quizzes can be taken multiple times. The American Safety Council also provides 24/7 customer assistance via live chat and email.
After you've completed the easy and painless course, we will process your Certificate of Completion. The certificate will be available for download in your account within 7 days of graduation. Expedited mailed options are also available during checkout. If an expedited mailed option is selected, it is very important that you provide a valid address. Failure to do so can result in your ticket not getting dismissed, even if you have completed the course.
Once you have received both the Certificate of Completion and your Certified Texas Driving Record, submit them to the Smith County Court, per their instruction.