101 S. Colket Avenue PO Box 160
Kerens, TX 75144

Phone: 903-396-2971

Email: info@ci.kerens.tx.us

Drivers Safety Course / Deferred Disposition

Drivers Safety Course

Eligibility

If you are charged with a traffic violation, you may be eligible to take a driving safety course to dismiss the charge. 

In order to be eligible to take a driver safety course:

  • You must not have taken a driver safety course in the last 12 months.
  • The request must be made before the appearance date on the citation.
  • At the time of the request, you must present proof of financial responsibility (liability insurance) that was in effect at the time of the violation.
  • You must enter a plea of guilty or no contest.
  • You must pay the court costs of $129.10. ( The balance will be dismissed upon completion of the course.)


Not Eligible
The following are not eligible to take a driver safety course:

  • If you are currently taking a course for another traffic violation.
  • If you hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or held a commercial license at the time the violation occurred.
  • If you were speeding 25 or more miles per hour over the speed limit or over 90 miles per hour.
  • If you were passing a school bus.
  • If the violation was a failure to stop and give information.
  • The violation occurred in a construction zone when workers were present.


Approval – Dismissal by Driver Safety Course is your RIGHT – Simply request through the Court.
The case will be postponed for 90 days to allow you time to complete the course. You must attend a driving safety course that has been approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations or a motorcycle operator’s course approved by the Department of Public Safety.

If you fail to complete the driver safety course or submit all documentation as ordered you will be notified to appear before the judge to show cause why you failed to comply.

 

Requesting Deferred Disposition

Requests for deferred disposition must be made in person before the appearance date on your citation.  Deferred disposition is similar to probation in that specific conditions must be met within a specified period of time.

Approval, length of the deferral period, and terms and conditions of the deferral order are subject to the judge’s discretion. 

Eligibility

  • You are not eligible for deferral if you hold a commercial driver’s license or held a commercial driver’s license at the time the offense occurred.
  • You are not eligible if the violation was committed in a construction zone while workers were present.
  • Drivers under the age of 25 are required to take a driver safety course as a term or condition of the deferral order.
  • Drivers that hold a provisional driver’s license are required to retest at the Department of Public Safety (DPS).


Failure to Comply
Failure to comply with any term or condition of your deferral order may result in revocation of the order and conviction may be placed on your driving or criminal record.

There is a $334.00 court cost fee that is paid to the Municipal Court when a Deferred Disposition is requested.