Got a speeding ticket? Don’t worry — you’re not alone! Every year, millions of drivers find themselves pulled over, watching the officer write up that dreaded citation. The good news? You may be able to get that ticket dismissed by taking a state-approved defensive 
driving course. Here are both the reasons why to take a defensive driving course and the steps to take to get that ticket in your rear view.
Why Take Defensive Driving for a Speeding Ticket?
When you complete an approved defensive driving course, many states allow you to have your ticket dismissed, keeping points off your driving record. Not only will this allow you to pay less for you ticket but this can help prevent your insurance rates from skyrocketing. Plus, you’ll learn valuable skills to become a safer driver. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), defensive driving techniques can significantly reduce the risk of accidents by teaching drivers how to anticipate and respond to hazards.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility and Ask Your Court
Before you sign up, check with your local court to ensure you’re eligible. In most states, you can take a defensive driving course for
ticket dismissal if:
- You have a valid driver’s license
- Your ticket is for a minor moving violation (like speeding)
- You haven’t taken a defensive driving course for a ticket recently
For example, in Texas, drivers are eligible once every 12 months for ticket dismissal purposes.
Once you have determined if you are eligible, follow the directions on the ticket you were given in order to request defensive driving. You must request defensive driving with your court FIRST before moving on. Your ticket will have instructions on how to properly request a defensive driving course. If it does not, make sure to call your court and ask. Trust us, taking a defense driving course is worth the extra work in order to save money!
Step 2: Choose a State-Approved Course
Not all defensive driving courses are created equal. To ensure your ticket gets dismissed, pick a course that’s approved by your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency. Comedy Defensive Driving is widely recognized and approved, offering online and in-person options that fit your schedule.
Step 3: Complete the Course
Most courses take about 6 hours to complete — but with Comedy Defensive Driving, you’ll laugh your way through it. No boring lectures or tedious reading. Instead, you’ll enjoy comedy-based content that keeps you engaged while covering essential topics like:
- Safe following distances
- Recognizing road hazards
- Handling aggressive drivers
- Understanding traffic laws
Step 4: Submit Your Certificate to the Court
Once you’ve completed the course, you’ll receive a certificate of completion. Submit this to the court (either electronically or in person, depending on your jurisdiction) before your deadline to ensure your ticket gets dismissed.
5. Get Your Driving Record
Some courts will require you to obtain your driving record to submit along with your certificate. ** Not all courts will require this.** To find out if you need to obtain a driving record, read over your courts instructions that should have been sent to you after request a defensive driving course. To obtain a driving record go to the website of the Department of Safety for your state. Each state will be different. For example here is the Texas site.
Bonus: Lower Your Insurance Rates
Even if you’re not eligible for ticket dismissal, many insurance companies offer discounts for completing a defensive driving course. According to the Insurance Information Institute, this discount can range from 5% to 10%, depending on your provider.
Why Choose Comedy Defensive Driving?
With over 30 years in business and more than 3 million happy customers, Comedy Defensive Driving offers a unique blend of education and entertainment. Our courses are designed to make the learning experience enjoyable — because no one said traffic school has to be boring!
So, if you’ve got a speeding ticket and want to avoid the fines, points, and insurance hikes, take a Comedy Defensive Driving course today. It’s fast, easy, and best of all — funny!