How Often Can I Take the Texas Driving Safety Course (DSC)
For ticket dismissal, you can use the Texas Driving Safety Course once every 12 months, measured from your last course completion date. For voluntary enrollment — insurance discount purposes only — there is no frequency restriction.
The 12-Month Rule for Ticket Dismissal
Texas Transportation Code §543.103 requires that at least 12 months pass between course completions used for ticket dismissal. The clock starts from the date printed on your DS-230 completion certificate — not from your citation date or from when you enrolled.
Example: If you completed a driving safety course on March 15, 2025, you cannot use a new completion for ticket dismissal until March 15, 2026, even if you received a new citation in between.
How Courts Verify Eligibility
When you request permission from the court to take the course for ticket dismissal, the court checks your driving record for prior driving safety course completions. If you completed a course within the past 12 months, the court will deny your request.
Voluntary Enrollment Has No Restriction
The 12-month restriction applies only to using the course for ticket dismissal. If you want to take the course voluntarily for an insurance discount, you can do so at any time regardless of when you last completed a driving safety course.
Quick Facts
Detail | Information |
Ticket dismissal — how often | Once every 12 months |
12-month period measured from | Last completion date (printed on DS-230 certificate) |
Voluntary enrollment frequency | No restriction |
Statute | Texas Transportation Code §543.103 |
Eligibility verified by | The court when you request permission |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 12-month period reset from my citation date or completion date? From your completion date — the date printed on your DS-230 certificate. Courts track completions by this date.
I completed a course 11 months ago — can I take another one for a new ticket? No. You must wait until 12 months have passed from your last completion date. Taking the course now would not qualify you for dismissal — your court will deny the request.
Can I take the course while I am still within the 12-month window? You can enroll voluntarily and take the course for an insurance discount, but you cannot use it for ticket dismissal until the 12-month period has passed.
What if I did not use my previous completion for ticket dismissal — does the 12-month rule still apply? Yes. The restriction applies to all driving safety course completions, regardless of why you took the course.
How do I find out when I last completed a driving safety course? Your completion date appears on your DS-230 certificate if you have it saved. You can also check your Texas driving record — order a Type 3A record from the Texas DPS website to see prior course completions.