Texas defensive driving›Fort Worth
How to Dismiss a Traffic Ticket in Fort Worth with Defensive Driving
Short answer: to dismiss a Fort Worth or Tarrant County traffic ticket, request a driving safety course from the court on or before your appearance date, complete a TDLR-approved 6-hour course within 90 days, and submit your certificate plus a certified DPS driving record. The charge is then dismissed and kept off your record.
The catch: the Fort Worth area is a patchwork of separate city courts across Tarrant County — Fort Worth, Arlington, and a long list of mid-cities — each with its own fee and process. Here's what's the same everywhere and how the local courts differ.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Each court sets its own fees, deadlines, and procedures — confirm with the specific court on your citation. Road Ready Safety is a TDLR-licensed course provider, not a court.
"Fort Worth" isn't one court
Read the court name on your citation. A Tarrant County ticket is often handled by a suburb, not the City of Fort Worth.
Major Tarrant courts include the City of Fort Worth and Arlington, plus the mid-cities: North Richland Hills, Hurst, Euless, Bedford, Haltom City, Grapevine, Keller, Southlake, Colleyville, Mansfield, Saginaw, Watauga, Crowley, and others. The city where you were stopped is your court.
Tickets from a constable or deputy in an unincorporated area go to a Tarrant County Justice of the Peace court. Same idea, different office.
What's the same at every Fort Worth-area court
Texas law sets the core rules, so the basic path to a dismissal is the same no matter which Fort Worth-area court has your ticket:
- • Request the course by your appearance/answer date — the date on your citation. Don't pay first: paying is a guilty plea and a conviction.
- • You need a valid Texas driver license and proof of insurance, and you plead guilty or no contest.
- • You can use it once every 12 months. It's not available for speeding 25+ mph over the limit (or 95+ mph), CDL holders, passing a school bus, or work-zone violations with workers present.
- • Court costs run up to about $144 ($169 in a school zone) and are set by each court — some charge less.
- • After approval you have 90 days to finish a TDLR-approved 6-hour course and submit the certificate plus a certified DPS Type 3A driving record.
- • Complete it and the charge is dismissed and kept off your record under Texas law (Code of Criminal Procedure ch. 45A) — it can't be used against you or raise your insurance.
Want the full walkthrough? See how Texas ticket dismissal works, or check your eligibility.
How Fort Worth-area courts differ
The fee, how you request the course, the exact deadline, and small local rules vary court to court. Here are the 20 Tarrant County courts we've researched — tap any one for its full instructions, fees, and contacts.
| Tarrant County court | What to know (tap to open the court page) |
|---|---|
| Fort Worth Municipal Court | You'll need a certified Type 3A driving record from Texas DPS — most drivers do not have this ready. |
| Arlington Municipal Court | You'll need a certified Type 3A driving record from Texas DPS — most drivers do not have this ready. |
| Bedford Municipal Court | You'll need a certified Type 3A driving record from Texas DPS — most drivers do not have this ready. |
| Colleyville Municipal Court | Colleyville charges $144 ($169 school zone, incl. $10 admin fee) — request with the clerk by your court date; insurance proof must be a paper copy. |
| Crowley Municipal Court | Crowley gives you only 11 days from the citation to request DSC — by email, mail, or in person. |
| Euless Municipal Court | You'll need a certified Type 3A driving record from Texas DPS — most drivers do not have this ready. |
| Forest Hill Municipal Court | Forest Hill takes DSC requests by email or fax and charges $144 ($169 school zone). |
| Grapevine Municipal Court | You'll need a certified Type 3A driving record from Texas DPS to submit with your certificate. Court fee: $144. |
| Haltom City Municipal Court | You'll need a certified Type 3A driving record from Texas DPS — most drivers do not have this ready. |
| Hurst Municipal Court | Hurst's court fee is $144 for most violations. Take a $28 TDLR-approved defensive driving course online. Certificate downloads the same day. |
| Keller Municipal Court | Keller tickets go through the joint Keller-Colleyville court in Colleyville — $144 plus a $10 admin fee. |
| Kennedale Municipal Court | Kennedale takes a DSC request online, in person, or by mail before your due date — don't pay online first or it's a conviction. |
| Lake Worth Municipal Court | Lake Worth (SH-199) takes DSC requests through its online form and gives 90 days — you lose the option if you miss your appearance date. |
| Mansfield Municipal Court | Mansfield requires a signed DSC affidavit before you enroll — most drivers miss this step. Court fee: $144. |
| North Richland Hills Municipal Court | You'll need a certified Type 3A driving record from Texas DPS — most drivers do not have this ready. |
| River Oaks Municipal Court | River Oaks (SH-183) doesn't publish a DSC process online — contact the court directly and get approval before paying. |
| Saginaw Municipal Court | Saginaw requires DSC requests in person — no online or mail option. $144 fee at the window. |
| Southlake Municipal Court | Southlake requires a notarized affidavit with your request — court fee $144. The 90-day window starts when your plea is received. |
| Watauga Municipal Court | Watauga requires an in-person DSC request but accepts your completion documents by email. |
| White Settlement Municipal Court | White Settlement requires a notarized affidavit and gives no extensions on the 90-day window. |
Don't see your court? Search every Texas court in our court directory.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to dismiss a ticket in Fort Worth?
The court cost is typically up to about $144 ($169 in a school zone) and is set by each court — some Tarrant-area courts charge less. The TDLR-approved course is separate; ours is $28. Check your court's page for the exact amount.
Can I take the course online for a Tarrant County ticket?
Yes. Once the court approves your request, a TDLR-approved 6-hour course can be completed fully online. Every Fort Worth-area court accepts a state-approved online course.
My ticket is from Arlington / North Richland Hills, not Fort Worth. Does that change things?
The process is the same, but you deal with that city's court, which sets its own fee, request method, and deadlines. Open its page in the table above.
How long do I have to finish?
Generally 90 days after the court approves the request. Request the course by your appearance date first, and don't pay the ticket — paying is a guilty plea and a conviction.
Does a dismissal keep it off my insurance?
Yes. A driving safety course dismissal keeps the charge off your driving record under Texas law, so it can't raise your insurance — unlike paying, which is a conviction.
Take the Fort Worth course that every court accepts
Once your court approves the request, our TDLR-approved course is accepted at every Tarrant County court — $28, fully online, with the certificate the moment you finish.
Road Ready Safety is a TDLR-licensed Texas driving safety provider (CP#1234). This page is informational and not legal advice; confirm requirements with the court on your citation.
Last updated June 13, 2026 — court details verified by the Road Ready Safety editorial team against the City of Fort Worth and Tarrant County area municipal courts and Tex. Code Crim. Proc. ch. 45A.