Texas defensive driving›San Antonio
How to Dismiss a Traffic Ticket in San Antonio with Defensive Driving
Short answer: to dismiss a San Antonio or Bexar 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: "San Antonio" includes the big City of San Antonio Municipal Court plus a ring of independent suburb and enclave city courts across Bexar County — each with its own fee and process. Here's what's identical 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.
"San Antonio" isn't one court
Check the court name on your citation — a Bexar County ticket may be handled by a small suburb, not the City of San Antonio.
Besides the City of San Antonio Municipal Court, Bexar County has its own city courts: Converse, Universal City, Live Oak, Selma, Kirby, Windcrest, Leon Valley, Castle Hills, Alamo Heights, Balcones Heights, Shavano Park, and Helotes. The city where you were stopped is your court.
Tickets written by a constable or deputy in an unincorporated area go to a Bexar County Justice of the Peace court. Same general process, different office.
What's the same at every San Antonio-area court
Texas law sets the core rules, so the basic path to a dismissal is the same no matter which San Antonio-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 San Antonio-area courts differ
The fee, how you request the course, the exact deadline, and small local rules vary court to court. Here are the 15 Bexar County courts we've researched — tap any one for its full instructions, fees, and contacts.
| Bexar County court | What to know (tap to open the court page) |
|---|---|
| San Antonio Municipal Court | You'll need a certified Type 3A driving record from Texas DPS — most drivers do not have this ready. |
| Alamo Heights Municipal Court | Alamo Heights charges $144 ($169 school zone) including a $10 admin fee — request by your appearance date. |
| Balcones Heights Municipal Court | Balcones Heights takes DSC requests only in writing — email or in person, never by phone. $144 fee. |
| Castle Hills Municipal Court | Castle Hills says don't order your driving record until the court approves you. $144 ($169 school zone). |
| Converse Municipal Court | Converse takes DSC applications online but payment is due within 24 hours of approval. $144 fee. |
| Fair Oaks Ranch Municipal Court | Fair Oaks Ranch (I-10 NW of San Antonio) takes DSC requests in person or by mail only — never pay online or it's a conviction; 90 days. |
| Helotes Municipal Court | Helotes needs a notarized affidavit by certified mail (waived if you sign in person). $144 fee. |
| Kirby Municipal Court | Kirby's court page is still under construction and posts no DSC fee — request through the clerk before your monthly court date. |
| Leon Valley Municipal Court | Leon Valley needs a notarized request form and $144 ($169 school zone) by your appearance date — call before paying online. |
| Live Oak Municipal Court | Live Oak charges a flat $144, no personal checks, and paying online is a conviction. Get court approval first. |
| Selma Municipal Court | Selma's high-traffic I-35 court charges $144 ($169 school zone) and bars CDL holders even before the judge. |
| Shavano Park Municipal Court | Shavano Park's NW Military/1604 court takes DSC requests by your appearance date — fee due at request. |
| Terrell Hills Municipal Court | Terrell Hills (San Antonio enclave) charges $144 ($169 school zone) — request in person or by mail with a notarized form by your court date. |
| Universal City Municipal Court | Universal City's mail-in DSC request needs photocopies, payment, and a stamped envelope — and 90 days means 90 days. |
| Windcrest Municipal Court | Windcrest takes DSC requests by email and charges a flat $144 — court approval required first. |
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 San Antonio?
The court cost is typically up to about $144 ($169 in a school zone), set by each court — some Bexar-area courts charge less. The TDLR-approved course is separate; ours is $28. See your court's page for the exact figure.
Can I take the San Antonio defensive driving course online?
Yes. After the court approves your request, a TDLR-approved 6-hour course can be done fully online and the certificate submitted. Every San Antonio-area court accepts a state-approved online course.
My ticket is from Converse / Alamo Heights / Leon Valley, not San Antonio. Does that matter?
The legal steps are 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 complete the course?
Usually 90 days after the court grants your 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 San Antonio course that every court accepts
Once your court approves the request, our TDLR-approved course is accepted at every Bexar 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 San Antonio and Bexar County area municipal courts and Tex. Code Crim. Proc. ch. 45A.