A Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) defensive driving course can help you become a safer driver and dismiss a ticket or lower your car insurance rates. Neither the court nor your insurance carrier will accept a course that doesn’t have the TDLR’s seal of approval.
Here’s how to find a TDLR defensive driving program that meets your needs.
How to Find a TDLR Defensive Driving Course
The TDLR provides a list of licensed schools and organizations offering defensive driver training. Go to its website and take these steps to find a state-approved course:
- Select “Regulated Industries” > “Driver Safety and Education” from the top navigation menu.
- Scroll down the page to “License Search” and click “Driving Safety Providers” for a full list of TDLR-approved defensive driving courses.
- Click “Status” twice to view the course providers with active licenses.
- Filter the results by city or zip code if you prefer to study in a classroom setting.
- Choose a school, click its name, and wait to be redirected to its website. Alternatively, reach out to them by phone by calling the number listed on the right.
If you already have a course provider in mind, enter its name or license number into the designated field to check whether it’s approved. If it doesn’t appear in search results, then its courses are not licensed by the TDLR.
For example, Traffic Safety Institute appears on the TDLR’s list, meaning our courses are TDLR approved. You can see our license number, status, and expiration date, as well as our contact information.
The TDLR also displays course providers whose licenses have expired, as shown below:
That’s a red flag. The school in question may still exist, but if it’s no longer licensed by the TDLR, it can’t help you with ticket dismissal or auto insurance discounts.
Are Online Defensive Driving Courses Legit?
TDLR-approved online defensive driving courses are 100% legit and approved by all courts and insurance carriers. Online courses are the same length and cover the same material as classroom-based courses.
For example, our defensive driving classes can be completed from any device. They take six hours, as required by Texas law, but you can study at your own pace.
Our system will save your progress, so you can take regular breaks and pick up where you left off. Alternatively, you can complete the course in one sitting to finish faster.
Read: How Long Is the Defensive Driving Course in Texas?
Does It Matter Which Defensive Driving Course You Take?
State-approved defensive driving classes follow a standard curriculum but differ in terms of format, pricing, information delivery, and other aspects. The level of support varies, too, as some providers charge extra for course retakes, audio read-alongs, or certificate issuance.
With that in mind, here’s what to look for when comparing driver safety courses:
- TDLR approval: Check the school’s website to ensure its courses are TDLR-approved. If you cannot find this information, use the TDLR’s search tool to look up the course provider.
- Course format: Determine whether you prefer to study online or in person. With the former option, you can take the course from anywhere and learn at your own convenience.
- User experience: If you choose to study online, look for courses with interactive content, animations, video lessons, and other resources that facilitate learning.
Self-paced learning: Some courses are self-paced, while others have timers. The former offers more flexibility and convenience, allowing students to take breaks as needed and resume the course without losing their progress. - Certificate delivery: Traffic Safety Institute and other defensive driving schools will issue your certificate of completion in digital format for free as soon as you finish. However, some schools charge extra for this service.
- Cost and fees: Depending on the school and course format, expect to pay between $25 and $70 for defensive driver training. Look for course providers with a clear pricing structure so you don’t end up paying hidden fees for course retakes, certificate processing, extended course access, or live chat support.
- Reviews and testimonials: Check the school’s reputation and read student reviews before choosing a course provider. For example, our driver safety school has thousands of positive reviews from students all over Texas.
- Customer support: Ideally, sign up with a school that offers support around the clock. This aspect is particularly important for online courses, as each platform has distinct features and may involve a learning curve. Plus, you’ll want to be able to contact customer support ASAP if you encounter technical issues.
- Extra perks: The best driver safety schools offer all sorts of perks, like road sign cheat sheets, unlimited course retakes, or same-day certificate submission to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Compare multiple providers before enrolling. This step alone can save you time, money, and headaches later on. If possible, ask to see a sample lesson. Better yet, register with Traffic Safety Institute so you can take the course for free and pay only after you pass.
Read: How to Do a Defensive Driving Course in Texas (the Easy Way)
Why Choose Traffic Safety Institute?
At Traffic Safety Institute, we are committed to offering the best online defensive driving courses in Texas and beyond. Our mission is to provide a seamless learning experience that enables students to grasp the content easily, understand traffic laws, and make the right decisions on the road.
Our TDLR defensive driving classes are self-paced, budget-friendly, and easy to follow, appealing to novice and experienced drivers alike. Plus, our flat fee of only $33 covers everything you need to complete the course, including:
✅ 12 user-friendly lessons
✅ Unlimited course retakes
✅ Free audio read-along
✅ Full compatibility with all devices
✅ Instant electronic certificate copy
✅ Same-day submission to the TDLR
✅ 24/7 live chat support
The best part is, you don’t have to pay anything until you pass the course. When you’re done, we’ll charge you a one-time fee of $33 and issue your completion certificate.
Submit this document to the court to dismiss your ticket or send it to your insurance provider for a defensive driving discount. Meanwhile, check out our FAQ page or contact us with any questions you may have.
For further savings, enter our defensive driving promo code at checkout. The discount will be applied instantly.
