Defensive Driving and Traffic Safety Forum

Texas Defensive Driving

2010-05-27T10:31:00.000-07:00

Texas Defensive Driving

Why take a Texas Defensive Driving course for your ticket? I will try and answer that for you in the words that follow.

Why not pay for the ticket?

The first answer is that it is usually more expensive. The second answer is that you don't want blemishes on your driving record. It is always a good idea to keep your driver record clean if at all possible because if you are unlucky or reckless and get multiple tickets on your record or get involved in a crash with multiple violations on your driver record a auto insurance surcharge could be coming. This will definately hit your pocketbook! If you choose to take a defensive driving course you will still have to pay a court fee (usually $90-125), but by successfully completing a state approved driver safety course (a.k.a. defensive driving) you will keep the violation off of your record and you will have the peace of mind to know that your driver record is clean just in case you run into some bad luck in the future behind the wheel.

Traffic School Florida

2008-08-21T12:17:00.000-07:00

Have you recently received a ticket in Florida? If so, I am sure you are aware that you can complete a 4 Hour Basic Driver Improvement Course, also known as a Traffic School Florida course that will fulfill the court requirement and remove points from your driving record. The course is extremely convenient and easy to use. Once you complete the course a certificate can be emailed and/or mailed to you. The name of the website is Ticketschool.com. The site also offers a 12 hour advanced driver improvement course, Florida first time drivers course, texas defensive driving, and virginia online driver improvement course.

Florida Drug and Alcohol Course

2008-08-07T11:46:00.000-07:00

Do you need to complete a DHSMV approved Florida drug and alcohol course to get your drivers license for the first time? If so, I have a website for you to checkout. The name is www.driverlicenseschool.com. You can register and complete the whole course over the Internet from the comfort of your own home, office, or anywhere else you have access to the Internet. This site is not just for teenage drivers, but it is also for adults who have never held a drivers license in Florida or another state. This course is the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course that is required. Just log in and out at your convenience to complete. The website will also allow you to take your road signs and road rules tests required to get your license. This will relieve the strain of taking the tests in the drivers license offices. Log on and check out www.driverlicenseschool.com today! I think you will be glad you did.

ADI School online

2008-08-06T10:12:00.000-07:00

Have you lost your license in the state of Florida due to traffic violations? If so, you will likely receive a letter from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles alerting you that your license has been suspended and as part of the requirements to get it back, you must complete a 12 hour Advanced Driver Improvement course. Now, you have the option of completing this course in a classroom, but you also have the option to take the course online. ADI school online is becoming more and more popular, as busy as everyone is these days. It is hard enough to find time to complete a 4 hour Basic Driver Improvement course for a ticket, but taking a 12 hour course seems impossible. Taking an advanced driver improvement course online allows you to log in and out of the course at your convenience. It is really flexible and convenient. Simply go to http://www.easyadi.com/ for additional details.

Drug and Alcohol Education Course Online

2008-08-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

The Texas Education Agency has recently approved the first online Drug and Alcohol Driving Awareness Program. This program is a 6 hour online course was originally created for insurance discount purposes only (typically a 5% discount with regulated insurance companies). Under Texas law (section 469.007 of the Health and Safety Code) covering Drug Court Programs, this online drug and alcohol course can be taken by persons convicted of drug and alcohol related offenses. Although the law allows for Judges and Courts to accept this course, the discretion is still on the Judge and because this course is new, it is recommended that those interested in taking this online DADAP course, first verify it's acceptance with the Court prior to starting.

The online course covers in detail how alcohol and drugs affect your body physically and phsychologically, which ultimately also affect the driving task. You will read text, participate in various exercises, and watch some videos throughout the course. Upon completion of the course you will be mailed a completion certificate to either present to your insurance company or to the Court. This is the first online drug and alcohol education course that we are aware of, so check out www.dadaponline.com for additional information.

2008-04-25T10:50:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of a website called www.driverslicenseschool.com? How would you like to complete your Florida first time drivers course a.k.a. drug and alcohol course from the comfort of your home computer? The course being offered is the florida drug and alcohol course that is required by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Department to get your drivers license for the first time. The formal name of the course is the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education Course (TLSAE). The course is very simple and easy to use. You can log in and out of the course at your convenience and you will be sent a certificate at the end of the course to take to the Drivers License office to get your license. Check out driverslicenseschool.com, you will be glad you did!

Advanced Driver Improvement in Florida

2008-04-25T10:43:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of a new website called www.easyadi.com? What does ADI stand for? In Florida ADI stands for Advanced Driver Improvment. This is a course that is required by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Department when a driver has their drivers license suspended for multiple traffic violations. As part of the process to get their drivers license back, Florida drivers must complete an advanced driver improvement class. You can take classroom advanced driver improvement or you also have the convenient option of completing advanced driver improvment online. The course is very simple and easy to use. You can log in and out of the course at your convenience and you will be sent a certificate at the end of the course. Check out easyadi.com, you will be glad you did!

City in Texas outlaws cell phone use in cars.

2008-04-25T10:25:00.000-07:00

On April 14, 2008, the city council of West University (a city just outside of Houston, TX decided to outlaw the use of cell phones in active school zones. ASs one could expect, AT&T and the Civil Liberties Council are against the measure, hoping that such regulations don't catch on. Unlike the new red light cameras, this measure is not about the money, but is about the safety of the children of West U. The new ordinance goes into effect August 1st. An arguement can be made for both sides of this decision. People should have their full attention on the activity of driving their car, but I don't know if this is the answer. Even though I say that this measure is not about the money, the West University Police department will have no shortage of opportunities to write tickets to drivers breaking this new rule and at $200 for the first offense and $500 for each additional, they stand to rake it in. Since this is the first of its kind, drivers should remember this area while driving, but if this type of measure catches on it will be extremely difficult for drivers to remember which school zones they can and cannot talk on their cell phones and drive. Let me know what you think of this practice. Should other city councils consider such a ban?

Check out this Florida Traffic School site!

2008-04-25T10:12:00.000-07:00

In 1977 a company called Driver Training Associates began offering defensive driving and traffic school courses to drivers for the purposes of traffic ticket dismissal and insurance discount. Since that time, the company has trained thousands of drivers across the United States. Many things have changed in the industry from the material being offered to the convenient new methods by which people can complete the course. Most importantly is the introduction of online traffic school and online defensive driving courses that has had the most beneficial impact on the consumer needing these courses. Since DTA has been around for so long it was time they are considered the experts in this field, and with that in mind have totally redesigned their company website making it the most user friendly site on the internet for drivers to find a classroom or online defensive driving or traffic school course near them for the purposes of traffic ticket dismissal, insurance discount, or fleet safety. The web site is really well done and I think all drivers should check it out.

Some great new websites!

2008-03-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

Here are some new websites worth checking out:

Texas Defensive driving has a new site!

2007-08-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

Texas Defensive Driving

A new site offering Texas defensive driving is now available to Texas drivers

There is a new site on the Internet where Texas drivers can participate in a Texas defensive driving course completely online. The name of the site is Texasdrivesafe.com. They offer a completely self paced six hour course that is approved by the Texas Education Agency for traffic ticket dismissal and insurance discounts (most often 10% for 3 years) with most insurance providers. The site is a one stop shop for all of your defensive driving course needs. If the court requires you to get your driver record they can do that for you, if you need assistance with how Texas defensive driving works, they have 24/7 customer support, or if you need express delivery of your certificate that is also available.

As mentioned the course is 6 hours long as is required by Texas law, but the beauty of taking the course online is that you can login and out as your schedule allows. Any page that you log out from the course will pick back up at that same page the next time you log back in. There is some reading, some animations / student participation exercises, and video segments. Once you complete a certificate of completion will be mailed to you that you can take to the court for traffic ticket dismissal purposes as well as a copy to turn into your insurance agent if your auto insurance provider offers defensive driving discounts.

Hopefully you aren't participating in a defensive driving course very often, but once you have taken this course, you will see that it is the most simple and convenient way to take a Texas defensive driving course.

Florida Driver Handbook

2007-02-26T14:17:00.000-08:00

Congratulations! You've found the most up to date, easiest-to-read version of the Florida Driver Handbook that exists on the web. Just click on the top picture above to be taken to the handbook table of contents. From there you can click on the individual units to study for your Class E Learner's Permit Exam. You can also view the online handbook by visiting http://www.driverlicenseschool.com and clicking on the "Driver's Handbook" button.

About the START Course

The START Course is the first time driver drug and alcohol course that you have to take before you can get your Florida Driver License. START stands for "Student Training Alcohol Related Topics." This course is also sometimes called the "TLSAE" or Traffic Law Substance Abuse Education Course or the Class E Learner's Permit Course. The START course requires four hours to complete and covers topics that include the effects of drugs and alcohol on driving, the effect of attitude on driving, and safe driving strategies. The course is available online or in the classroom.
Remember, you HAVE TO TAKE this course if you have never been licensed to drive in the state of Florida. The course is available online or in the classroom. If you want to sign up and get started right away, just click on the picture above and select the "First Driver License" (START) course from the drop-down menu. You can also register for the course by clicking here. Complete the registration pages and in a few short minutes you will be taking the course!

Getting your Florida Class E Learner's Permit

In Florida, every person under 18 years old MUST hold a Learner’s License for one year – there are NO exceptions to this law. Also, no person may drive alone with a Learner’s License – regardless of age.
To receive your Florida Learner's License, you must be at least 15 years old.
You must provide:

One primary and one secondary form of identification, which must be original and certified;
Social Security Number, if issued;
Proof that you completed the START Course. (NOTE: If you complete the START course online, a certificate will be sent to you and your completion will be reported automatically to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles [DHSMV]. When you arrive at the driver license office, the driver license inspector will be able to look up your completion in the State's online system);
Parental Consent Form, which must be signed in the presence of a driver license examiner or notarized if parent or guardian will not be present (form is located at http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/html/forms.html. If you are under 18 and are not married one parent or legal guardian must sign your license application. Step-parents may not sign unless they have legally adopted you.

You are required to take:

A Written Test covering the following areas:
Road Rules – 20 multiple choice questions about traffic laws – must have 15 correct answers to pass.
Road Signs – 20 multiple choice questions about road signs – must have 15 correct answers to pass.
Florida Driver Handbook
Vision Test using an eye machine. To pass, you must have 20/40 (or better) vision in each and both eyes, with or without corrective lenses.
Hearing Test

With your Learner’s License, you may:

Only drive during daylight hours during the first three months and until 10 p.m. thereafter, always with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and occupies the front passenger seat.
Getting your Florida Class E Operator's License
To earn an operator’s license, you must be at least 16 years old AND have held a learner’s license for at least one year without any traffic convictions.

You must provide:

A Florida Learner’s License or a license from another jurisdiction.
Parent or guardian certification that you have at least 50 hours of behind the wheel driving experience, of which 10 hours must be at night.

You are required to take:

Driving test and perform certain driving maneuvers. Please refer to the Florida Driver Handbook for specifics or present a waiver from an accepted driver education course.

With your Operator’s License, you may:

16 years old – only drive between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., unless accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and occupies the front passenger seat, or you are traveling to or from work.
17 years old – only drive between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m., unless accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and occupies the front passenger seat, or you are traveling to or from work.

Don't Lose Your Driving Privilege
There are a number of infractions that can cause you to lose or restrict your driving privileges.

The following are of particular interest to teen drivers:

If you receive a moving traffic conviction while you have a Learner’s License, the one year period you are required to hold your Learner’s License will be extended for one year from the date of the conviction or until you are 18 years old, whichever happens first;
If you receive 6 points on your driving record within a 12 month period, your driving privileges are automatically restricted to business purposes only for 12 months or until you are 18, whichever happens first. If you receive additional points during this restricted period, the restriction is extended 90 days for each additional point;
If you have a blood alcohol level of .02% or more (applies to those under age 21), an administrative suspension of six months will result;
If you are truant in your school attendance, your driving privilege is suspended until you provide proof you have attended school for 30 consecutive days;
If you are convicted for possession of tobacco products (applies to those under age 18).

Driving Violations and Points

Speeding
Less than 15 mph over the speed limit - 3 points
More than 15 mph over the speed limit - 4 points
Speeding resulting in an crash - 6 points
Moving Violation
Moving violation (includes driving during restricted hours) - 3 points
Moving violation resulting in a crash - 4 points
Reckless driving - 4 points
Improper lane change - 3 points
Zero Tolerance for DUI
Drivers under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol level of .02% or more will have their license immediately suspended for six months. This administrative action is for a first offense; a second offense will result in a one year suspension. Refusal to submit to testing (first offense) results in a suspension of twelve months; eighteen months on a second offense.

Texas Defensive Driving

2007-02-08T17:42:00.000-08:00

When seeking a Texas defensive driving course , look no further than a website called TexasDriveSafe.com. This website offers everything that you would need to help you get you traffic ticket dismissed. The site provides 24/7 customer support, express delivery of completion certificates, and driver records upon request.

The course is completely self paced, allowing you to log in and out of the course as needed. You can take the course from anywhere you have internet access. From the comfort of your home, office, or at work, you can participate in the course. If you choose to only sit and take 10 minutes or all 6 hours in one sitting it is completely up to you. Texas defensive driving has never been this flexible and easy. After you finish the course TexasDriveSafe.com will get a certificate of completion mailed out to you. If you are up against your court deadline, they can express deliver your certificate if necessary. Don't wait, sign up today!

Florida First Time Drivers

2007-01-10T20:06:00.000-08:00

Florida First Time Drivers

When it is time to get your learners license in the State of Florida what must you do.

Learner’s License - To earn a learner’s license, you must be at least 15 years old
You must provide :
One primary and one secondary form of identification, which must be original or certified,
Social Security Number, if issued,
Proof that you completed a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course or a license from any state, country, or jurisdiction, and
Parental Consent Form, which must be signed in the presence of a driver license examiner or notarized if parent or guardian will not be present (form is located at http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/html/forms.html). If you are under 18 and are not married one parent or legal guardian must sign your license application. Step-parents may not sign unless they have legally adopted you.

You are required to take:

A Written Test covering the following areas:

Road Rules – 20 multiple choice questions about traffic laws – must have 15 correct answers to pass.

Road Signs - 20 multiple choice questions about road signs – must have 15 correct answers to pass.

Florida Driver Handbook (online version)

Vision Test using an eye machine. To pass, you must have 20/40 (or better) vision in each and both eyes, with or without corrective lenses.

Hearing Test

Hopefully this reference will assist you in getting your Florida Learners License. Best of luck and safe driving!

Defensive Driving in Texas

2007-01-10T19:29:00.000-08:00

Defensive Driving Course Options in Texas

Where should you take a defensive driving course if you got a ticket in Texas? There are numerous methods that are available to you, but it is first important to mention that all approved defensive driving courses in Texas for ticket dismissal are 6 hours in length. If you find a course claiming to be less, you are not taking an approved course which means you will not be able to get you traffic ticket dismissed when you show the certificate to the court. How you spend your required 6 hours of course time is where all of the options begin. First you can sit in a classroom course with an instructor. This method is great for those individuals who know that being forced to sit in a room for 6 hours is the only way that they will actually complete the defensive driving course. Also this method can be enjoyable with a good instructor. Here is a good link for finding a good classroom defensive driving course in your particular city.

The next method for completing a state approved defensive driving course in over the Internet. This is probably the most flexible and convenient way to take a course today. When you register you are given a login code that allows you to log in and out of the course at your leisure and the course picks up where you last left off. Each page of the course has a timer which ensures that 6 hours of course time is taken, but with todays busy schedules online is the best. Here is a link to a great Texas online defensive driving course.

If you have any questions about procedures or where to find a class post a reply and I would be happy to respond.

Houston defensive driving

2005-11-08T19:09:00.000-08:00

Houston defensive driving

Whether you are looking for a Houston defensive driving course to dismiss a traffic ticket or to reduce your auto insurance premiums, Texasdrivesafe.com is here for you. You probably weren't even aware that you had the option of taking a Houston defensive driving course on the Internet, but you do, and you will see that it is the most flexible and convenient way to complete a state approved defensive driving course. Imagine being able to take a Houston defensive driving course from the comfort of your home, office, or on the go with a laptop. Even more importantly, with Texasdrivesafe.com you have the option of taking the Houston driver safety course at your own pace, so that you can fit the course into your busy schedule.

The Benefits of online defensive driving

Traditionally, Houston defensive driving courses have been given in a lecture style format in driving school classrooms. You would have to schedule a class in your area and spend either two weekday nights or all day on Saturday to complete the state required 6 hour course. When you register with Texasdrivesafe.com you will be given a unique username that allows you to log in and out of the course as you like, and you can accumulate the 6 hours however your busy schedule allows. The course will pick up right where you last left it. Another benefit of taking a Houston defensive driving course with us, is that you can access the course from anywhere you have Internet access. Take the course at your home, office, or anywhere the world wide web is available. Lastly, by taking an Houston defensive driving course online with Texasdrivesafe.com, you can log into the course 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So do what thousands of drivers across Houston doing for their driver safety and defensive driving course needs and choose Texasdrivesafe.com today!

Why Texasdrivesafe.com?

We are proud to partner with Driver Training Associates (DTA) and Ticketschool, a leader in the driver safety industry since 1977, and offer the Program for Basic Driver Improvement, which is approved by the Texas Education Agency for ticket dismissal purposes in the State of Texas. The Houston defensive driving course blends streaming video, animation, and text to create an attention grabbing and interesting learning environment. Be careful of some of the other sites offering online defensive driving , as they could be text based only, and you won't find out until it is too late. The course we offer is research proven effective at reducing future traffic violations and collisions. So if you want to take a state approved and research proven effective Houston defensive driving course in the most flexible and convenient form available on today, click the sign up link today and you will be done before you know it. Choose Texasdrivesafe.com, you will be glad you did!

Corpus Christi defensive driving

2005-11-08T08:51:00.000-08:00

Corpus Christi Defensive Driving

Did you get a ticket or would you like to get a discount on your insurance premiums? If you are interested in taking a Corpus Christi defensive driving course you have come to the right place. At Texasdrivesafe.com you will have the opportunity to take the most flexible, convenient, and available Corpus Christi defensive driving course available today. Driver Safety courses in Texas have come a long way over the past few years. Traditionally drivers took would call up their local driving school to find a defensive driving course that was being given in their area. This method would require a weekend or a couple of weekdays sitting in a classroom listening to the course in lecture form. With the advent of the Internet, Corpus Christi defensive driving courses like with Texasdrivesafe.com allow you to take the course at your own pace and anywhere you have access to the world wide web. Take the course from the comfort of your own home, office, or on the go with a laptop.

Driver Safety Course in Corpus Christi

All defensive driving courses in Texas are required by law to be 6 hours long. With Texasdrivesafe.com you can accumulate those 6 hours however your schedule allows, instead of completing the 6 hours in one sitting or over a couple nights during the week. After you register with us, you are given a unique username that allows you to access your Corpus Christi defensive driving course any time you like as well as logging out anytime you need to. So if you only have time to watch 10 minutes or 1 hour on a particular day...no problem. We offer a course that is as flexible and convenient, yet truly a interesting and enjoyable educational experience that you will take with you on the roadways forever.

Why Texasdrivesafe.com?

Not all defensive driving courses are made equal. Unfortunately there are some online providers out there that appear to offer the same type of website as us, but many are just text based courses which require hours of reading. We want to offer you the best. The course we offer is filled with streaming video, animation, as well as some text. The course is research proven effective at reducing future traffic violations and collisions. We want to help you get your ticket dismissed or your insurance discounted, but more importantly we want to make you safer on the Texas roadways. You will not take a Corpus Christi defensive driving course with anyone else after you have experienced what Texasdrivesafe.com has to offer. Sign up today and you will be done before you know it.

Arlington defensive driving

2005-11-08T08:40:00.000-08:00

Arlington Defensive Driving

Texasdrivesafe.com is a website for Arlington, Texas drivers that have a need for a defensive driving course. We provide an online Arlington defensive driving course that is approved for both traffic ticket dismissal and auto insurance discount. This Internet course lets you have a web based option that provides flexibility that the traditional classroom lecture style solution just cannot compete with.

Online Versus Classroom

The state of Texas requires that any Arlington driver safety course or Arlington defensive driving course be 6 hours in length. You have the option of how you would prefer to spend those 6 hours. The classroom option will require that you sit in a classroom for the 6 hours to fulfill the time or break up the course into 3 hours over 2 days. For many this option just does not fit into today's busy schedules. This is where Texasdrivesafe.com comes in. By taking the Arlington defensive driving course through our website, drivers can break up the 6 hours however they see fit. Take 10 minutes at a time or 1 hour, whichever works best. Drivers are given a unique username that allows you to log in or out whenever you like. The course will pick up right where you last left it. Once you have finished the 6 hour Arlington defensive driving course, you will be mailed a completion certificate that you can present to the court to dismiss your speeding or traffic ticket. You can also present this certificate to your insurance company for a possible premium discount. Insurance providers are not required to give these discounts so we recommend that you consult your agent before presenting them with your completion certificate.

Why Texasdrivesafe.com?

When choosing an Arlington defensive driving course remember that not all courses are made equal. Some of the other courses that are available are only text based courses and require hour after hour of reading. Our site offers a course that is both animation, streaming video, and text based to provide an extremely attention grabbing and interesting educational experience. The course is also research proven effective at keeping you from getting another ticket or being in a collision. Choose Texasdrivesafe.com and know that you are taking the best course available that is approved by the State of Texas for what you need. Get started today and you will be done before you know it. You won't take an Arlington defensive driving course anywhere else!

Fort Worth defensive driving

2005-11-03T14:22:00.000-08:00

Fort Worth Defensive Driving
Do you need to take a defensive driving course or driver safety course in Fort Worth, TX? Imagine being able to take a self paced course from the comfort of your home or office to get your traffic or speeding ticket dismissed and for insurance premium discounts. Texasdrivesafe.com is offering an online Forth Worth defensive driving course that can be taken anywhere you have internet access. Traditionally, drivers in Fort Worth would have to sign up for a classroom course at a local driving school, which would require 6 hours of lecture style teaching usually taken on two weekday evenings or in one sitting on a weekend. Now Texasdrivesafe.com is taking advantage of the flexibility that the Internet offers, which is changing the face of defensive driving in Fort Worth.

Benefits of Choosing Online
Convenience is the major benefit of taking a Fort Worth defensive driving course with Texasdrivesafe.com. Nobody wants to have to sit for 6 hours and take a defensive driving course unless required to do so in most cases. So if you are required to take a driver safety course, why not take one that will fit into your busy daily schedule. With Texasdrivesafe.com you will have the ability to accumulate the state required 6 hour program by dividing up the course however your schedule allows. After completing the registration, you will be given a unique username that allows you to log in and out of the course at your leasure. So if you want to complete the course all in one sitting, you have that option. If you only have the time to take 15 minutes at a time, you have that option as well.
Another great benefit of taking a Forth Worth defensive driving course online with Texasdrivesafe.com is the availability. You have the ability to access the course anywhere that you have Internet access, which can be your home, office, or on the go with a laptop. Online defensive driving with Texasdrivesafe.com is the only way to get your ticket dismissed.

Why Texasdrivesafe.com?
We must say that not all Fort Worth defensive driving courses are made equal. Many of the other courses available are text only courses that will require you to read the entire course. The course we offer is streaming video and animation based combined with text for the best possible educational experience for our customers. Our program has also been research proven effective at reducing the probabilities of future traffic violations and collisions on the roadways. So if you are looking for a Fort Worth defensive driving course, choose the best, and sign up today with Texasdrivesafe.com!

Texas defensive driving classes

2005-10-10T16:05:00.000-07:00

Texas defensive driving classes

If you are seeking out options for taking a Texas defensive driving course for a ticket or for insurance purposes, check out a company called Driver Training Associates Inc. This website offers both Texas defensive driving classroom courses in your area with contact information, as well as a Texas defensive driving option that is taken in a 100% online environment. So whichever option is comfortable to you, driver training associates is there to help.

Classroom versus Internet defensive driving

Classroom defensive driving courses or driver safety courses in Texas have been around for many years. This is by far the most popular choice in terms of the number of people that participate in them every year compared to the Internet or take home. This is a great option for anyone that would prefer to schedule a class and listen to a lecture style approach versus an online medium. Classroom courses are usually offered on both weekday and weekend classes for your convenience. The course is required to be 6 hours in length, and is usually broken up into 2 3-hour parts. Here is a link to Texas defensive driving classes in your area.

The Internet offers a new approach to the traditional Texas defensive driving course. Today, drivers can fulfill their requirement to take an approved driver safety course for the purposes of traffic ticket dismissal or insurance discount totally online , without having to leave the comfort of their own home. The online environment proveides a completely self paced structure, which allows drivers to break up the 6 hour course however they would like. The web based course also allows drivers to access the course anytime of day 24 hours a day 7 days a week, as long as they have Internet access. Take the course from home, office, or on the go with a laptop. It is unbelievably simple.

So whichever option you feel the most comfortable with, Driver Training Associates has a course for you. Simply click here or go to www.drivertrainingassociates.com and get started today!

Plano defensive driving

2005-10-10T15:46:00.000-07:00

Plano Defensive Driving

Are you looking for a TEA (Texas Education Agency) approved driver safety course or defensive driving course in the Plano, Texas area? If so, look no further than a new website called Texasdrivesafe.com that offers a Plano defensive driving course for the purposes of traffic ticket dismissal or insurance discount. There is nothing wrong with going to a classroom course, but many drivers today are finding the convenience of taking a defensive driving course on the Internet.

The Benefits of Online Defensive Driving

By choosing to take a defensive driving course online, you will be able to fulfill the Texas law required length of 6 hours at your own pace. You will have the option of taking just a few minutes of the course at a time, or finish it all in one sitting. It is completely up to you. The second big benefit is that you can access the plano defensive driving course from anywhere you have Internet access. Take the course from home, office, or on the go with a laptop. This makes the course available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The completion certificate will be mailed to you when you finish and you can turn that in to the court where you got your ticket and you can also turn it in to your insurance agent to recieve a discount. Most insurance companies offer this discount, but not all, so check with your agent prior to finishing the course.

If taking a Plano defensive driving course online does not sound like something you would like to do, here is a link to Plano defensive driving classroom courses that might be of interest to you. Just click on the "classes in your area" link on the left side of the page. If you start a course right away you will be done before you know it, and you will be safer on the roads as well.

online Texas defensive driving

2005-09-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

Online Texas defensive driving

Did you know that you have the option of choosing to take an online Texas defensive driving course? Texasdrivesafe.com is a website for drivers in Texas offering a defensive driving course in a 100% online environment for the purposes of traffic ticket dismissal and auto insurance discount. Traditionally, if you needed to take defensive driving in the state of Texas, you would have had to find a classroom course being given locally in your area, and hope that you could find the time to take off of work or spend a Saturday afternoon to complete the required 6 hour course. It does not have to be that way anymore! Today, thousands of drivers are finding out the benefits of taking online Texas defensive driving with Texasdrivesafe.com.

Why choose Online Texas defensive driving?

After looking at all of the advantages of taking an online Texas defensive driving course with Texasdrivesafe.com, you will never even look at taking a classroom course again. The most important advantage is that the online course is totally self paced. The course that we offer is 6 hours in length, which is required by Texas law, but you have the option of accumulating those hours versus having to complete them all in one sitting such as in the traditional classroom option. You will be given a unique username after registration that allows you log in and out of the course at your convenience. Choose to take 10 minutes of the course or take all 6 hours in one sitting, it is up to you. Another big advantage of choosing to take online Texas defensive driving with Texasdrivesafe.com is that you can access the course from anywhere that you have internet access. Imagine being able to take the course from the comfort of your home, office, or on the go with a laptop. As long as you can log on to the web, you can take the course. Lastly, the defensive driving course is available 24 hours a day by 7 days a week. So unlike the classroom option which put you at the mercy of the already scheduled classes available, you can access your course anytime of day or night.

Why Choose Texasdrivesafe.com?

Texasdrivesafe.com is proud to partner with and be powered by Ticketschool.com. Ticketschool.com offers the Driver Training Associates (DTA) program for driver improvement, which is an approved online Texas defensive driving course by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for the purposes of traffic ticket dismissal and insurance discount. The DTA program is also research proven effective at reducing future traffic violations and collisions by governmental agency studies. Do what thousands of drivers across Texas are doing and choose Texasdrivesafe.com to dismiss your traffic ticket, save you money on your insurance, and make you a safer driver on the road. Log on and get started today!

Online defensive driving Texas

2005-09-19T10:32:00.000-07:00

Online Defensive Driving Texas

If you have a traffic ticket you would like to have dismissed or you would like to save money on your auto insurance premiums, you can take an online defensive driving Texas course. Some of you may or may not be aware that in the state of Texas, drivers now have the option of taking defensive driving over the internet. Traditionally taking a class in a classroom or renting a video were the two main options available to you. Today, with the availability of the online defensive driving Texas course with Texasdrivesafe.com, you can complete a state approved course in a 100% online environment. The advantages of taking a course online are numerous.

Advantages of an Online Course

Why would you want to take an online defensive driving Texas course? The major reason is that by choosing online you can take a course that is completely self paced, so that you can accumulate the state required 6 hour program in increments of your choosing versus the previous classroom option which requires everything to be done all at once. Each user is given a unique username which allows for multiple logins so the course can be broken up however your busy schedule allows. Second, by choosing an online defensive driving Texas course with Texasdrivesafe.com, you can access the course from anywhere you have internet access. Imagine being able to sit down and take part of the course from the comfort of your home, office, or on the go. As long as you can get on the Internet, you can gain access to your course and complete as much or as little as you have time for. Lastly, the online defensive driving Texas course is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need to login to the course anytime, day or night, you have that capability. Why would you choose anything else, but online with Texasdrivesafe.com?

Why Choose Texasdrivesafe.com?

Texasdrivesafe.com is proud to partner with and be powered by Ticketschool.com. Ticketschool.com offers the Driver Training Associates (DTA) program for driver improvement, which is an approved online defensive driving Texas course by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for the purposes of traffic ticket dismissal and insurance discount. The DTA program is also research proven effective at reducing future traffic violations and collisions by governmental agency studies. Do what thousands of drivers across Texas are doing and choose Texasdrivesafe.com to access an online defensive driving Texas course that will dismiss your traffic ticket, save you money on your insurance, and make you a safer driver on the road. Log on and get started today!

Defensive Driving Texas

2005-09-19T10:30:00.000-07:00

Defensive Driving Texas

As a driver in the state of Texas, if you have not had to take a defensive driving Texas course, you know someone who has. When you think of taking a defensive driving Texas course, you probably think of sitting in a classroom on a Saturday for 6 hours with a room of strangers to ultimately get your traffic ticket dismissed or for an insurance discount. Defensive driving in Texas does not have to be that way anymore. Through Texasdrivesafe.com, you now have the opportunity to take advantage of the technological advancements that the Internet provides, by taking a defensive driving Texas course totally online anywhere you can access the web. How great is that!

Online Defensive Driving

The benefits of taking a defensive driving Texas course over the internet versus the classroom are numerous. First, the online delivery method allows you to log in and out of the course and it will pick up right where you last left it. The course is 6 hours in length, as is any defensive driving course in Texas by law, but you can accumulate those hours by choosing online versus doing it all in one sitting in the classroom. So if you have time to take only a few minutes of the course or a few hours of the course, you can do that. Each user is given a unique login name that allows for this flexibility. Second, by taking the course online you have the ability to access the course 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is extremely valuable if you do not have the time to sit for 6 straight hours on a Saturday. Simply log in to Texasdrivesafe.com and take your defensive driving Texas course whenever your schedule allows. Lastly, you can access the defensive driving Texas course anywhere you have internet access. This allows you to take the course from home or on the road. Imagine being able to sit at home, work, or on the go, and complete your defensive driving Texas course. No matter how you look at it, choosing Texasdrivesafe.com is your best option.

Why Choose Texasdrivesafe.com?

Texasdrivesafe.com is proud to partner with and be powered by Ticketschool.com. Ticketschool.com offers the Driver Training Associates (DTA) program for driver improvement, which is a Texas state approved driver safety course by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for the purposes of traffic ticket dismissal and insurance discount. The DTA program is also research proven effective at reducing future traffic violations and collisions by governmental agency studies. Do what thousands of drivers across Texas are doing and choose Texasdrivesafe.com to access a defensive driving Texas course that will dismiss your traffic ticket, save you money on your insurance, and make you a safer driver on the road. Log on and get started today!

Driver Safety Course in Texas

2005-09-19T10:27:00.000-07:00

Driver Safety Course

When deciding what your options are for taking a driver safety course in the state of Texas, do what thousands of drivers are doing and choose Texasdrivesafe.com. Our website offers Texas drivers the opportunity to dismiss their traffic tickets and lower their insurance premiums by taking a Texas state approve driver safety course in a 100% online environment. The delivery of driver safety courses in Texas has changed with the alternative delivery method that the Internet provides. When most drivers think about taking a driver safety course they think of sitting in a classroom for 6 hours somewhere on a Saturday to fulfill their requirement. It does not have to be that way. Today, Texasdrivesafe.com offers you the most flexible, convenient, and proven option for completing a driver safety course.

Online Driver Safety Course

Why choose an online option for your driver safety course? First, the convenience that an online course like Texasdrivesafe.com offers is unmatched. The course is completely self-paced, by giving each user a unique username and allowing for unlimited course logins and logouts. This means that you have the ability to break up the course however you busy schedule allows. If you would like to take only 10 minutes at a time or finish all 6 hours of the driver safety course, you have that capability. Second, by choosing an online option, you have the flexibility to access the driver safety course from anywhere you have internet access. Imagine being able to complete the course from your home, office, or on the go on a laptop. As long as you can get online, you can access the course and complete as much or as little as your schedule allows. Lastly, by choosing an online driver safety course such as Texasdrivesafe.com, you will have the option of accessing the program 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is extremely beneficial to anyone who might choose to take the course at either late night or early morning hours, that a classroom option just cannot provide.

Why Choose Texasdrivesafe.com?

Texasdrivesafe.com is proud to partner with and be powered by Ticketschool.com. Ticketschool.com offers the Driver Training Associates (DTA) program for driver improvement, which is a Texas state approved driver safety course by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for the purposes of traffic ticket dismissal and insurance discount. The DTA program is also research proven effective at reducing future traffic violations and collisions by governmental agency studies. Do what thousands of drivers across Texas are doing and choose Texasdrivesafe.com to access a driver safety course that will dismiss your traffic ticket, save you money on your insurance, and make you a safer driver on the road. Log on and get started today!

El Paso Defensive Driving

2005-09-13T15:25:00.000-07:00

El Paso Defensive Driving

Are you aware of the different options drivers have today for taking an El Paso defensive driving course? Most of the time after a driver gets a ticket they will open the phone book and look through the yellow-pages to see what driving schools in their area are offering defensive driving in the El Paso area. After finding a school, most drivers will then be forced to fit an all day class on a Saturday, while some schools offer weeknight classes. I am sure that is exactly what you would like to do after work. It does not have to be this way! I am happy to introduce you to Texasdrivesafe.com, a website that is dedicated to providing the most flexible, convenient, and effective way to take an El Paso defensive driving course.

Online Defensive Driving-Your Best Option

Whether you need to take a defensive driving course for the dismissal of a traffic ticket, or for the monthly savings on your insurance premiums, Texasdrivesafe.com is here to help. The beauty of taking defensive driving over the Internet is that it is available all day everyday, as long as you have access to the Internet. You can log in and out of the course as your schedule allows. Imagine being able to sit at home on your computer and take part of the course, or sit in a hotel room while on a business trip with your laptop taking a part of the course. El Paso defensive driving will never be the same. The total length of the course is required by Texas law to be 6 hours in length whether you take it in a classroom or online, so why not take it in a format that allows you to accumulate those 6 hours whenever you time schedule allows, versus all in one sitting in the classroom format. There really is no comparison! After you take an El Paso defensive driving course with Texasdrivesafe.com, you hopefully will not need to take a course again, but if you do, I promise you will take it online with Texasdrivesafe.com.

Why TexasDriveSafe.com?

We are a Texas based company that has partnered with and is powered by Ticketschool.com, who uses the Driver Training Associates program for driver improvement. This program is state of Texas approved, has been research proven effective at minimizing the probabilities of future traffic violations and collisions. Not all El Paso defensive driving programs are made equal. If you got a ticket or would like to save money on your car insurance, why not take a course that is flexible, convenient, and proven to make you and your family safer while on the Texas roadways? Click on the sign up link above and get started today, you will be done with your course before you know it!

San Antonio Defensive Driving

2005-09-13T12:25:00.000-07:00

San Antonio Defensive Driving

After you get a traffic ticket in San Antonio or the surrounding area what should you do? You can simply pay the ticket. Otherwise, if you have not taken a San Antonio defensive driving course or any other driver safety course in the past 12 months for the purposes of ticket dismissal, you should have the option of taking defensive driving. Most drivers that have participated in defensive driving in San Antonio will tell you that you will have to take a class that is 6 hours in length by law, usually taken on a weekend afternoon, or split up on two weekday evenings. Who has time for that? It does not have to be that way. I would like to introduce you to a site called Texasdrivesafe.com, a website created to provide San Antonio and Texas drivers an opportunity to take a defensive driving course that is flexible, entertaining, and most importantly effective and informative.

Texas Driver Safety Course in San Antonio

The advancement of the Internet has changed how we do things. San Antonio defensive driving is no different. Imagine being able to sit in the comfort of your own home on a computer or laptop and taking a state (TX) approved driver safety course to get your ticket dismissed or for an insurance discount. The online course through Texasdrivesafe.com allows for multiple log ins, which provides the flexibility that everyone is looking for, and what makes the traditional all day classroom option a thing of the past. Yes, the course is still 6 hours long (required by Texas law), but with the San Antonio defensive driving option with Texasdrivesafe.com, you can accumulate those 6 hours however your busy schedule allows, versus doing it all in one sitting. It is the only way to take a San Antonio defensive driving course!

Why TexasDriveSafe.com?

TexasDriveSafe.com is partnered with and powered by Ticketschool.com, who uses the Driver Training Associates Program for Driver Improvement for its defensive driving needs. This program has been research proven effective by governmental agencies to reduce the probability of future moving violations and collisions on the Texas roadways, and is used by many businesses across Texas and the US for driver safety training. We are extremely proud of this course, which is why we feel it necessary to make it available to you. So if you have a need for defensive driving in San Antonio Texas, Houston, Dallas, or any other city across this great state, think of TexasDriveSafe.com, you will be glad you did.

Safety Training

2005-07-12T07:24:00.000-07:00

Safety Training

Driver Safety Training Can Save Lives and Money

Most safety training coordinators or directors in the business world are focused on workplace safety, such as meeting State regulations to minimize risk of injuries on the job. Some examples of this might be chemical safety training in a plant or fire safety training, etc. One area of safety training that has been neglected, but is as important as any other training out there today, is driver safety training.

Traditionally, driver safety courses were used by individuals that got traffic tickets, and needed to take a course to have the ticket dismissed. Others would take a course for individual auto insurance premium discounts. Today, businesses are starting to understand the value of driver safety training, using these same driver safety courses (a.k.a. defensive driving) that have been previously used by individuals, to effectively train their employees to help prevent and minimize losses as a result of traffic violations and accidents.

Especially for those businesses that own, lease, or rent vehicles for employee use, driver safety training is vitally important. Unfortunately, most businesses only require company drivers to take a driver safety course after they received a ticket while operating a company vehicle on the job. This is like icing a pulled muscle, rather than stretching to prevent it. Why not effectively train all company drivers in the techniques of defensive driving and proper driver safety principles before violations and accidents occur? The potential losses for businesses are monumental. When a company looks carefully at it, one traffic accident in a company vehicle can cost thousands of dollars. There are the financial losses associated with property damage, vehicle replacement or repair, and health insurance costs. Not to mention the productivity losses that result from not having a valuable employee on the job working. The other important factor to consider is that any claims made to your insurance company can have an effect you in premium costs come renewal time. There are research proven effective driver safety training courses available today, that can help in this area. These great courses, when offered for safety training prior to a driver going on the road, can help prevent these costly mishaps from occuring, which in turn saves a company money.

Not everything can be prevented, but why not do everything to help prevent rather than train after something has happened? This is the way things are moving toward in business today. Take a second to think about the loss control data and insurance plans for your company. If your company's experience rating has not improved over the years to help save at renewal time, driver safety training can help. If your company's insurance claims or vehicular violations per 10,000 miles driven has not improved, then drive safety training can help.

Don't think of driver safety training as something that is only done after a violation or accident. Be proactive and help prevent the potential losses before they happen by offering effective safety training to all employees drivers before they get on the road. You will be happy you did.

To learn more about a research proven effective driver safety training program that can be offered in the classroom as well as on the internet, logon to www.drivertrainingassociates.com

Texas defensive driving

2005-07-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

Texas defensive driving

What do you do after you get a ticket?

Most drivers request to take a Texas driver safety course, also know as Texas defensive driving course. By taking a TEA approved Texas defensive driving course you will have the ticket removed from your record, which will keep your insurance premiums from increasing and will keep you from having to pay the fine to the court. You still will be responsible for paying the court fee (usually around $90 depending on the court), but in the long run it definately pays to take defensive driving.

Where should you take a Texas defensive driving course?

More often that not, when you appear in person at the court house to formally request to take a Texas defensive driving course, the court clerk will tell you that you can look in the yellow pages, or you can go to a video rental store (that I refuse to name). The best option is to take a course over the Internet. This option is normally not mentioned, but it is the best available way to take a course today, in my opinion. With the video or DVD rental, you only have a few days to complete the course and take the test. The court will give you 90 days from the day that you request to complete the course. On the Internet you can take a Texas defensive driving course at your own pace, with a unique username or password that allows you to access the course anywhere you have a connection to the Internet, and the course will pick up right where you last left it. It is only way to do it!

How long is the course?

Any Texas defensive driving course must be 6 hours in length. Again, the great thing about the Internet courses is that you can accumulate those 6 hours, rather than having to sit in a classroom with strangers listening to a lecture on a Saturday for 6 straight hours.

How do I notify the court when I finish taking defensive driving?

After you complete a 6 hour Texas defensive driving course, you will be mailed a certificate of completion from the course provider. You can have your certificate express delivered by most providers as well for a small fee. Normally for ticket dismissal, you will recieve two copies. One is for you to send to the court, the other is for you to send to your insurance companies. Most insurance providers will offer a defensive driving discount (normally 10%), so check with your agent. Make copies of both certificates and mail the original to the court where you got your ticket. Sometimes, you will have to get you driving record as well. This can also be done online at www.texasonline.com.

That is it! You will be done before you know it. My only other recommendation is don't wait until the last minute, or you will have to take the course all at once and you will not be able to take advantage of the benefits of taking an online Texas defensive driving course. Good Luck!

Dallas Defensive Driving Resource

2005-06-11T19:25:00.000-07:00

Dallas defensive driving

If you have received a traffic or speeding ticket in Dallas county and are considering taking a Dallas defensive driving course, you have come to right place. This post is a complete resource for anyone that wants to know what choices are available to you, and the step by step procedures involved.

After you get a ticket in Dallas you have two basic options.

Pay the fine - You always have the option of simply paying the fine in full. This can be done online at http://www.tickets.dallascounty.org/index.html or by callingthe central collections office at 214-904-3188. I would never recommend this option, as there are possible consequences. Besides the monetary value that you will be forced to pay, there is also the potential of significant insurance premium surcharges that can occur and cost you hundreds or thousands, depending on the number of previous violations on your driving record, or if you were to be involved in an accident.
Take a Dallas defensive driving course - If you are eligible (see eligibility listing below), this the the best option available to you. By taking a defensive driving course you will keep the potentially harmful blemish off of your driving record, and you will not have to pay the ticket fine. You will still have to pay the court fee, but when you look at the big picture you are saving good money, not to mention the savings on your insurance premiums if your provider offers a defensive driving discount.

So you want to take a Dallas defensive driving course...now what?

First you have to find out if you are eligible. You have the right to take a Dallas defensive driving course if you have charged with any of the following:

Failure to obey warning signs (under Transportation Code § 472.022)
A misdemeanor traffic offense (under Subtitle C, Title 7, Transportation Code)
Operation of a motor vehicle by a minor (under Transporation Code § 729.001 (a)(3))

You are not eligible to take a defensive driving course for the situations listed below:

An insurance violation
A parking violation
You have a commercial drivers license
Have taken a defensive driving course for ticket dismissal purposes in the past 12 months. (Taking a course for insurance discount purposes only does not apply)

These violations are also not eligible to take a Dallas defensive driving course without court or judge approval:

A serious traffic violation
Speeding 25+ MPH over the speed limit
Failure to remain at the scene of an accident
Failure to render aid
Tickets in school or construction zones
Passing a school bus that is loading or unloading children

To properly request to take a defensive driving course follow these steps:

Sign the ticket and make a plea of guilty or no contest
Provide current proof of insurance (as stated in Chapter 601, Texas Transportation Code)
Show proof of a valid Texas driver's license or permit
Payment of court fee. If you choose to take a Dallas defensive driving course to have your ticket dismissed, then you will owe the court fee amount (this is listed on the ticket) only and not the total fine amount.
Mail the above information by the answer date indicated on the ticket

After you have sent your signed ticket, a copy of your insurance, a copy of your Texas drivers license and payment for the court fee, you can then find a Texas Education Agency approved driver safety course to start taking your course. The Court will give you 90 days after you requested to take a course to successfully complete a Dallas defensive driving course and file with them the completion certificate, plus a copy of your driving record and a driver safety course affidavit.

Driving Record - this is required to be filed with the court because it provides proof that you have not completed a defensive driving course in the 12 months prior to your offense. Here is a link to get your driving record sent to you. Simply fill out the form and send to the Deparment of Public Safety. Give yourself plenty of time it can take up to 4 weeks to have this sent back to you.

Driving Record Form

Defensive driving course affidavit - This affidavit is stating that you are not currently taking a course or have taken, within the 12 months preceding your offense, that is not yet shown on your driving record from the DPS. Sign and notarize the form listed below.

Defensive Driving Course Affidavit

After you have completed the course and received your completion certificate, make a copy of it for your own records, and mail the original with your driving record, and notarized affidavit to the appropriate court, and you are done. You will have a clean record and be back on the roads to live another day. Good luck and safe driving!

Houston defensive driving - you now have options!

2005-06-10T10:01:00.000-07:00

Houston defensive driving - You now have options!

A couple years ago if you got a traffic or speeding ticket in Houston, Texas you had only 3 basic options.

Pay for the ticket
Hire a traffic attorney
Take a Houston defensive driving course

Today, as you drive across the beautiful roadways of Houston (or sit in the beautiful traffic), you still have the same three basic options, but the landscape has changed and there are reasons that you might want to consider in determining which route you will go when you get a speeding ticket, or have any other moving violation in Houston.

Option #1 - Why not simply pay for the ticket?

Getting a speeding ticket in Houston is not something that you should take lightly. There is a significant financial burden that can be placed on you when you factor in the price of the ticket, the court fees associated with it, and most importantly the auto insurance premium increases that can occur if you just allow these violations to go on your driving record, which is what happens when you just pay the fine. Just one speeding ticket (depending on the state you reside) can drive up you insurance premiums over a 3-5 year period, with the average surcharge being between $125 - $500. The number of prior violations that you have on your driving record is the determining factor as to the severity of this surcharge. Most insurance companies will not automatically increase your premiums on you first ticket, but once you have one or more on your record you are opening yourself up for huge payment increases with future tickets or even loss of coverage if you were to get in an accident with prior issues on your driving record. Most insurance agents will tell you to keep your driving record clean by all means if possible, which you can achieve through the other two options.

Option #2 - Should I hire a traffic attorney?

This is the second option after recieving a traffic ticket in Texas. Hiring a traffic attorney is a popular option for those of you that do not have the time or the desire to appear in court on the date listed on the ticket. In exchange for a lawyers fee, your attorney will represent you in the court at your appearance date and time, and will attempt to do all he/she can to get a lenient punishment. In the past, the best case scenario with fighting your ticket and hiring an attorney, was that there was a possibility that the police officer that wrote the ticket would not appear and the citation would be thrown out. Although this occurred quite often, changes in the law and city procedures have made it much easier for the police officer to appear, and severly cut down on this happening, which is not a good thing for those drivers hoping for the easy way out. The bennefit of a local traffic attorney is that they know the court, the judge, and the law. Many times it is through these connections that an attorney can arrange for a satisfactory reduction in the fine that you have been given. Although this would appear like a good option, after it is all said and done, it could cost you much more than you think, and the citation will still go on your record. After you pay or the attorney fee, the court fee, and the reduced fine, you will have spent a pretty good chunk of change. Plus, the violation still goes on your record, which can cost you even more money with insurance premium surcharges that can apply after multiple tickets. Many times a traffic attorney and the local attorney for the city or county will only allow so many violators to get fine reductions, and the rest will still have to take a Houston defensive driving course. So you have paid to get something that you could have got for yourself. The only benefit to hiring an attorney in my opinion is if you truly have a case in disputing the ticket, or you don't mind paying to not have to appear in court and your driving record is clean. This leads us to the last option you have after recieving a traffic or speeding ticket in Houston.

Why take a Houston defensive driving course?

In Houston after recieving a ticket many times you will be given the option of taking a Houston defensive driving course for the purposes of dismissing a traffic or speeding ticket. There are certain violations that will require judge approval to take a course if you are charged with:

Speeding 25+ over the speed limit
Passing a school bus
A serious traffic violation
Failure to give notice or render aid after an accident
Committing an offense in a construction zone

This option in my opinion makes the most sense. The most important reason is that the moving violation that you have been cited for will not go on your driving record, which will save you from the wrath of insurance premium surcharges that can occur from multiple violations, especially if you were to get in an accident in the future and you had multiple traffic tickets on your record. We are talking about potentially thousands of dollars, which is serious business.

Secondly, you will not have to pay the fine for the ticket. You will have to pay the court fee, which is $95 on all moving violations and $120 for speeding in a school zone (information from www.houstontx.gov). Houston defensive driving courses by law are 6 hours in length, and are available in classroom, video, or online format. I highly recommend the online form due to its self paced nature that allows for you to accumulate the 6 hours on your own schedule. Another benefit of taking a defensive driving course is that you can notify your insurance company of your successful completion and receive a discount. Most insurance carriers will offer the defensive driving discount (normally around 10%), but I suggest contacting your insurance agent for their particular rules and procedures. So by taking a houston defensive driving course you will be keeping your driving record clean, not having to pay the ticket fine, and potentially saving money on your insurance, which all save you money both in the short and long term. The choice is yours, and as the title of this post proclaims: I am just here to give you your options. Good Luck!

Speeding Tickets Laws in Texas

2005-06-09T08:47:00.000-07:00

Speeding tickets in Texas...know the laws!

This article is going to summarize the Texas State statutes related to speed.

Basic Speed Rule: No person shall drive a vehichle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances then existing or under the conditions and having regard to actual and potential hazards.

What is a reasonable and prudent speed?

The statutory speed limit, is stated as operating a vehicle in excess of the speed limits listed below is proof that such speed is not reasonable and prudent and is unlawful, not to mention, likely to get you a speeding ticket.

70 MPH during the daytime on "numbered" highways and farm/ranch-to-market roads outside an urban district.
65 MPH during the the nighttime on "numbered" highways and farm/ranch-to-market roads outside an urban district.
60 MPH during the daytime on highways that are not "numbered" and that are outside of an urban district.
55 MPH during the nighttime on highways that are not "numbered" and that are outside of an urban district.
30 MPH in an urban district
15 MPH in an alley
15 MPH on a beach
15 MPH on roads adjacent to a public beach (if declared by the commissioners court of the county.)

Speeding tickets for slow driving?

Minimum Speed Limit: No person shall drive so slowly as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic. Also, a person driving at a speed lower than the normal flow of traffic, shall drive in the right-hand lane then available for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. Interpretation: if you are not passing someone, you should be in the right hand lane.

Consequences of Speeding

Fine: The fine range for speeding tickets is from $1-$200 depending on your speed. Fines can be doubled under certain cicumstances, such as if a speeding offense occurs in a construction or school zone.
Licensing Action: Suspension or revocation of your drivers license due to a speeding violation is at the discretion of the licensing agency. This happens when you have been (1) habitually reckless or negligent during vehicle operation or (2) habitually in violation of traffic laws. *if you get your license suspended the term is no less than 1 year and revocation is for an indefinite period.
Deferred Diposition: This is an option if your speeding ticket was not in excess of 25 MPH over the speed limit. If charged with a speeding ticket you may have the option of participating in a deferred disposition program. Under this program, a driver may plea guilty or no contest to the offense and complete a "driver safety course" or Texas defensive driving is another name. The court defers a judgement on your case for 90-180 days and will dismiss the charge when the course has been completed.

Other criminal actions related to speeding

Racing on the Highway - This offense is a misdemeanor that can produce fine amounts between $1-$200. Imprisonment is not normally involved, but license suspension or revocation is a possibility.

Reckless driving - This offense is a misdemeanor as well, and also produces fine amounts not in excess of $200, but imprisonment of no more than 30 days is possible.

If either of these misdemeanor offenses were to occur in a double fine area (construction zone or school zone), the fine is doubled, and any incarceration costs associated with the speeding offense may require a fee of $25 per day while in the county jail. Deferred Disposition or Texas defensive driving is still an option upon the judges discretion.

Commercial Vehicle Speeding Ticket Information

A commercial licensed driver can be disqualified from operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) if while driving such a vehicle either (1) commits 2 "serious traffic violations" within a 3 year period or (2) commits 3 such violations within a 3 year period.

Disqualification Period - 2 serious violations (within 3 yrs) = 60 days; 3 serious violations (within 3 yrs) = 120 days

Mandatory Disqualification -

It pays to avoid speeding tickets?

2005-05-18T09:16:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to a great article about traffic tickets and why you should avoid getting any violations on you record. The passage offers research as to the link between moving violations and vehicular crashes, and what options you have to dismiss a ticket after you get one (ex. defensive driving, traffic attorneys, etc.) The article is by Chris Solomon of Money Central.

Speeding Tickets and Auto Insurance

Texas Defensive Driving

2005-05-05T08:04:00.000-07:00

Got a speeding ticket?

Every year millions of drivers across Texas get speeding tickets for a variety of reasons. Regardless of the particular moving violation, most violators are required by the court to take a Texas defensive driving course to dismiss the ticket. What options does a driver have to fulfill this court mandated requirement?

Find a classroom course
Take a course over the internet

Why take a defensive driving course online?

Historically, the classroom course was the only option available to ticketed drivers. The internet, as with many other businesses, has revolutionized the driver safety industry. Today, drivers can complete a Texas Education Agency (TEA) approved defensive driving course completely over the Internet on a PC or laptop from the comfort of their home, office, library, or wherever there is online capability. Can you imagine taking a Texas defensive driving course in your hotel room from your laptop, while on a business trip? This can be extremely convenient for someone who has better ways to spend their weekends, or time off!

State Law requires that an approved Texas defensive driving course be 6 hours in length. This requirement has not changed. The difference that online defensive driving courses provide is that drivers can now accumulate the 6 hours, through a login/logout process that makes the course completely self paced. The course will pick up right where the user last logged out. It is amazingly simple!

Choosing a quality online course

As is the case with other online industries, there are numerous entrepreneurs converging on the industry to make a quick buck, and Texas defensive driving online is no different. Over the last few years there are more and more sites popping up offering this great new service to ticketed customers. Unfortunately for the end user, not all online defensive driving courses are the same. Many online courses are just purely text based and require the user to read all 6 hours worth of material. This can be extremely boring. Although having some text is necessary to allow for the self paced nature of the course, a few web sites offer video and animation segments to work in conjunction with the text to provide interesting and educational additions to the program. Be careful of the extremely discounted courses as they are more than likely pure text based.

Step by Step process after receiving a speeding ticket

After receiving a speeding ticket, a driver must first find out if they are eligible to take a Texas defensive driving course. Certain violations, such as speeding in a school zone or work zone, or speeding in excess of 25 mph, will require an appearance on the court date printed on the ticket to receive judge approval. With all other moving violations defensive driving is an option the court or judge can allow as long as the driver has not taken a course within the past 12 months for ticket dismissal purposes. If a driver has taken a course for insurance discount purposes, they are still eligible to take a course again for ticket dismissal (with judge approval). Here are the options for requesting to take a Texas defensive driving course:

Appear on the stated court date to request in person before a judge
Complete the back portion of the ticket to request and mail back to court(most counties)
Request by mail (example of Houston defensive driving request form) * if completing the back of the ticket is not available
Hire attorney to appear before the court to request

Most courts will also require a check or money order for the court fee (stated on the ticket), proof of insurance, and a driver's license copy, to be included with the defensive driving request. After successfully requesting to take a Texas defensive driving course, most courts will give the driver notice that they have 90 days to successfully complete a Texas Education Agency (TEA) approved driver safety course. Due to the convenient nature of the online courses available today, 90 days is quite liberal.

Finishing Up

Whether a driver decides to take a Texas defensive driving course by classroom or over the internet, they will receive a completion certificate after 6 hours of instruction and passing the final exam. This certificate will be sent by mail by the online course provider or in person for classrooms, and it is the responsibility of the driver to send a copy of this certificate to the court as proof of completion. Don't wait until the last minute! Most companies will also send a duplicate copy that can be sent to most auto insurance providers for a driver safety course discount.

Some courts will may also require these items to be sent with the completion certificate:

Affidavit (this is to prove that the driver has not taken a defensive driving course in the past 12 month, and must be notarized)
Driving Record

Online is the most convenient and flexible way to complete a Texas defensive driving course today! Hope this is helpful.