Be Advised: Vehicle Inspections Required In Texas

Making a move to Texas? If you consider yourself a defensive driver then you better make certain your vehicle is in excellent working order or you won't be able to transfer your registration. You might also receive a citation for a vehicle malfunction if your clunky automobile is spotted by police. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles makes it very clear what you need to do to registers your vehicle in their state if you make a move there. The steps are easy enough if your vehicle is in good working order, and there is no reason to try ad put it off. It's only a matter of time until a cop sees you have the wrong plates and decides to stop you. For everyone who moves to Texas they have 30 days to get their vehicle registered or risk a citation. The first step is to get your vehicle inspected. There are an abundance of qualified vehicle inspection sites. You can make an appointment or just show up and take your chances on the wait. They will perform an inspection of your vehicle, checking the lights, horn and emissions; and the general quality of your vehicle. If your vehicle passes inspection you will be given a vehicle inspection sticker you can display in your windshield so everybody (especially law enforcement) know your vehicle is permitted to at least be on the roads in Texas. Once your vehicle has passed inspection it will be time to visit your county tax office with all of the following: * inspection certification, * proof of liability insurance, * the vehicle's odometer reading if it is less than 10 years old, * ownership document, which may be: an original out-of-state title, proof of registration (for non-title state), current foreign/military ownership document, or foreign evidence of ownership * completed Form 130-U (if applying for registration only, without a Texas title, please attach a completed Form VTR-272), and * and of course, the following fees: registration fee, title application fee of $28 or $33, depending on the county, and new resident tax of $90 or proof of sales tax payment It is possible there will be more fees you have to pay once you show up, so be certain you bring your check book! Image: think4photop / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Need info on how to title and register a car in Florida? Just click: **Titling and Registering a Car in Florida**.
Find out everything You Need to Know About AZ Emissions Testing in our comprehensive guide to ensure compliance and understanding of Arizona's emission regulations.

Texas Drivers Pay Hefty Insurance Rates

Texas. Where *everything* seems larger, even **your car insurance bill**. That's right, once again Texas ranks near the top of the list when it comes to the amount paid for auto insurance. According to a new report by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Texas finished 11th of all 50 states when it comes to insurance premiums. This is good news for insurers and bad news for drivers. Part of the reason for the higher insurance rates in Texas as compared to some other states is the number of heavily populated urban districts. Insurance rates are determined by the amount paid out by insurance companies in claims. If claims are high then premiums need to be higher so the insurance company is not paying out more than it is taking in. This is simple math. The densely populated urban areas in Texas lead to higher traffic congestion and a larger than average number of vehicle crashes, resulting in insurance companies paying out money. However, forewarned is forearmed. That means, in order for Texans to see lower insurance rates all they need to do is start driving a little more defensively. By decreasing the number of vehicle crashes in their state, Texans can have a direct impact on the insurance premiums they pay. In this way they control their own destiny. Anyone who knows they need a little extra help when it comes to driving, or knows someone else who does, might want to consider a quick and easy defensive driving course. Because the better drivers all Texans can be, the quicker insurance rates may start to decline. As cars get more technologically advanced, they get more expensive and the cost of repairing them also goes up, all of which leads to higher insurance rates. You can't do much about the price of gas, but you can do something about your insurance premiums; Drive safe. Image: africa / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Things Are Looking Up For Texas Drivers

I'm ready to help! Please provide the text that needs to be rephrased. According to a new report by the Texas Department of Transportation fewer Texans than ever before are getting behind the wheel after downing a few beers. That's right, drinking and driving is on the decline in Texas and the Texas Department of Transportation is taking advantage of this decline to build more momentum toward even further declines. To this end the TxDOT is pulling out nearly all the stops in its latest holiday PR campaign blitz. They are using a mix of traditional marketing techniques, social media marketing and some decidedly gorilla marketing efforts to get their message across to drivers around state. After distracted driving, drinking and driving is the most dangerous mix on the roads today. Drivers who consume just a few beers, or a few glasses of wine or a few shots are in danger of suffering delayed reaction time, impaired judgement or a decrease in dexterity. It's also enough to put them over the limit when it comes to blood alcohol content which will earn them a citation, possible jail time and a suspended license. Even a defensive driving course can't help you if you've died in a horrible car crash because you were driving drunk. There simply is no excuse for drinking and driving. Getting behind the wheel of a 4,000 pound metal missile after you've had a few drinks is tantamount to putting a bullet into a revolve, giving the chamber a spin, pointing the gun at your grandmom and pulling the trigger. Nobody wants to take a chance like that. Last year there were 3,024 fatalities on Texas roads and highways. Of there, there were more than 1,100 alcohol related crashes, making alcohol a factor in more than 35% of the traffic fatalities in the state. This holiday season TxDOT is sending a clear message, delivered by one of Santa's reindeer: “Don’t drive if you’re tipsy, buzzed or Blitzen. Call a cab or get a sober ride home.” Defensive driving sounds like good advice to me. Follow it. Image: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Texas Cops Rewarding Safe Drivers

Not much compares to the sinking feeling you get when the red and blue lights flash in your rear view mirror and you know you've been speeding. You try be polite, and bite your tongue, and don't say or do anything that will make the experience any worse than it has to be. But you know you're going to get a ticket, and that's just a bummer. Texas law enforcement is trying to change all that by pulling over safe drivers and handing them a gift card for those who practice good defensive driving whether they learned their skills in a defensive driving course or on their own through trial and error (though the former is easier.) That's right--instead of just handing out speeding tickets, the cops in Texas are handing out presents to drivers they catch who are doing the right things behind the wheel. Instead of setting up speed-traps the Texas police have been setting up "safety observation zones" where they can observe drivers who are taking the right precautions. It might be a school zone, where busy mom's and dad's often forget to securely buckle up a child before speeding away. Or it might be a busy intersection where drivers often get distracted and speed through caution lights or yield signs. In Texas right now, anyplace where there is an opportunity to catch a driver doing something right, there is likely a police officer waiting to reward them for it. All the drivers need to do is drive defensively; be safe behind the wheel and set a good example for others to follow, and they have a chance at being rewarded. With a program like this in place maybe the sight of red and blue lights in your rear view mirror won't make you cringe in terror, but cross your fingers that you'll be rewarded for being an excellent defensive driver.

Texas Frowns At Proposed Cell-Phone Ban

Just days after a recommendation by the National Transportation Safety Board that all states pass a comprehensive cell-phone texting ban for drivers, some Texas lawmakers say it is not likely to be enacted in Texas. Anyone who is defensive driving in Texas doesn't need a ban to know distracted driving is unsafe. According to a recent story in the Houston Chronicle the odds of such a bill passing the Texas legislature are slim, if not completely non-existent. Just this past summer Texas governor Rick Perry vetoed a bill which would have imposed restrictions on texting while driving. Perry has made it clear these restrictions should be enacted only at the local level, and not be subject to statewide or nationwide bans. The Texas Department of Transportation recently reported that cellphone use was a factor in more than 3,400 accidents last year, with more than 40 fatalities reported as a result. That is a near five percent increase since their last report in 2006. Despite lawmakers resistance to a statewide ban on texting and driving, or any type of distracted driving, defensive drivers understand the risk. This means drivers are bearing the brunt of responsibility for their actions behind the wheel in Texas. It is not a license to continue to operate your vehicle in an unsafe manner in Texas. In fact, several major Texas cities have already taken steps to curb cell phone and texting use by drivers. It's just a statewide ban which seems unlikely in Texas. Texas citizens take pride in the fact they "Remember the Alamo", hopefully they can also remember to hang up the phone. If you still have your doubts, consider a defensive driving course. Image: akeeris / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Answering Common Texas Defensive Driving Questions

The silhouette of a cowboy on horseback at sunset on a background

The state of Texas is the largest state in the continental United States and is also one of the most populated. Due to the sheer amount of people and large cities in the state, there are always a lot of people on the road in the state of Texas. All motorists in the state of Texas have the responsibility to be safe when behind the wheel. A great way to learn more about how to be a safe driver is by taking a defensive driving course in Texas. These courses are available to all drivers in Texas that have a driver's license or learner's permit.

What is Taught During a Texas Defensive Driving Course?

If you do take a defensive driving course in Texas, you will get to learn a lot about driving safely. One area of focus for a Texas defensive driving course is to teach best practices to be safe when behind the wheel. This includes teaching how to be focused, how to prepare your car and mirrors, how to use signals, and what hazards to look out for. One of these courses will also spend time going over the driving rules and regulations in the state. This can make the course a great class for either a new driver or a refresher for an existing one.

How Does Defensive Driving Help with Citations?

While defensive driving courses in Texas are a great way to learn about driving safely, it can also be a way to get out of speeding tickets and other minor moving violations. Even if you are a safe driver, there is a chance that you will get a ticket at some point. If you are charged with a ticket, it could sit on your record for a long time and affect your future insurance costs. However, in many situations, you can instead take a defensive driving course and the citation will be removed from your record.

What Could Disqualify Someone from Taking a Defensive Driving Course in Texas?

While most drivers in Texas will be able to take a defensive driving course to help get out of a ticket, there are situations in which you will not qualify to receive citation penalty relief. Some situations that could disqualify you from taking a defensive driving course include the following:

You refused to admit guilt to the driving violation. To have the citation removed, you will need to admit that you did violate the law.
You have not received a citation or taken a similar class over the past 12 months. These courses and citation relief are not available for routine and repeat offenders.
The citation was deemed to be very significant. For example, driving more than 25 MPH over the speed limit would prevent you from taking this course and receiving citation relief.
You have lost your driver's license or learner's permit and are not eligible to presently drive a vehicle.

If you are a holder of a CDL license in Texas and were caught speeding while driving a commercial truck, you will not be able to take this course. This is intended to be used for normal passenger vehicles.

How Do I Take a Defensive Driving Course?

One concern that anyone will have with a defensive driving course is that it will be too expensive and inconvenient. However, these courses are often able to be completed in a short period of time and can be done from the comfort of your own home. Once you pass the final test, you will receive certification immediately. This can then be shared with insurance companies and your local DMV to show you have met your obligations.

There are various situations when taking a defensive driving course can be ideal for those in the state of Texas. When you are looking for a new defensive driving course, you should consider those offered by MyIMPROV Texas. These courses are approved by courts, insurance companies, and state driving agencies all over the country due to the quality education provided to students.

Texas Defensive Driving Explained

Some people are asked to take a defensive driving course after they've gotten a ticket. Some people simply want to take a defensive driving course to improve their driving and help them stay safer behind the wheel. No matter the reason, defensive driving courses in Texas are never a bad idea. The fist step is to find out the real cost of defensive driving in Texas. Read on to learn all about defensive driving courses in Texas: what they are, how much they cost, how long they take to complete, the many benefits of these courses and how you can get started today.

What is a Defensive Driving Course

Defensive driving courses are offered in each state in the United States. In short, these courses aim to help people become better drivers.

Defensive driving courses teach safe driving strategies so that drivers can identify hazards on the road, anticipate dangerous situations and make safe decisions alongside all kinds of other drivers. They help drivers gain a new perspective on viewing the road.

Defensive driving courses are different from drivers ed classes. Drivers ed classes generally teach people how to operate a vehicle, all about state driving laws and different driving safety practices. A defensive driving class, on the other hand, teaches people how to drive defensively in order to prevent accidents and not do anything illegal on the road. They teach you how to handle aggressive drivers, extreme weather, obstacles in the road, car malfunctions and emergency situations.

How much money are defensive driving courses in Texas?

In the rest of the United States, defensive driving courses range in price from $15 to $100. In Texas, however, The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation requires that the cost of defensive driving course to be at least $25. You may be able to find a course in Texas for $25, and some may cost up to $100.

The vast majority of people who have taken defensive driving courses say that they are well worth the money.

How long does it take to complete a defensive driving course in Texas?

The length of each defensive driving course varies from state to state, and they are typically four, six or eight hours long. A Texas defensive driving course must take to take a minimum of six hours to complete, and most are six or eight hours.

Most defensive driving places offer courses both in-person and online. If you choose to take an online defensive driving course, you can start and stop the course at your own pace.

What are the benefits of completing a defensive driving course?

There are so many benefits of completing a defensive driving course. Here are just a few:

Insurance discounts: When you complete this course, simply tell your car insurance company, and you should be able to get a discount on your car insurance that lasts for at least a few years. The insurance discount for defensive driving courses varies from 5% to 20%.
Dismissal of tickets: Most minor citations in Texas can be dismissed by taking a defensive driving course. However, Texas defensive driving courses can only be used to dismiss one ticket in any 12-month period.
License point reduction: When you complete a defensive driving course approved by the state of Texas, it will reduce or eliminate any points on your license.

How to Start a Texas Defensive Driving Course

If you're ready to take a defensive driving course in Texas, MyIMPROV has your covered. With years of experience and fun and engaging courses, IMPROV's dedication to rethinking the ordinary will help you get through defensive driving in Texas as quickly, easily, and well entertained as possible.

Visit MyIMPROV Texas to get started today!

Texas Defensive Driving Requirements: Everything You Need to Know

Sometimes it seems like the universe is plotting against you.

You wake up late for work, skip breakfast, and are overall having a bad day. Then before you realize it, you're driving over the speed limit, and boom, a Texas police officer pulls you over and gives you a ticket... now it's a REALLY bad day.

With a previous traffic ticket in your name, you can't afford to have another on your driving record, but the chances of fighting the ticket and winning are slim.

Sound familiar? Researching the Texas defensive driving requirements is the first step to your solution.

Defensive driving courses can help resolve tickets and remove points from your record. Not every infraction is covered, so here's a guide on everything you need to know about them.

Why Should You Consider a Defensive Driving Course?

There are a few paths you can follow when trying to make a ticket disappear. You can simply pay the fine. If you do that, the cost is taken care of, but you essentially plead "nolo contendere" and points will be added to your record as they usually would.

You could try talking to the judge, but most judges will look at the facts of the traffic laws broken and deny your request. You could even risk a harsher ruling if the judge knows you're a repeat offender.

Lastly, you can simply pretend it didn't exist, which means more fees and harsher penalties if you don't take the necessary steps to amend the ticket.

None of these give you the outcome of point reduction and ticket removal, so taking a defensive course is your best option. Once completed, your certificate of proof can expunge the ticket. It can even get your insurance to trust you again and lower your rates.

Texas Defensive Driving Requirements

You should note that not all traffic violations are created equal, and some may not qualify for removal. Before signing up, check out these Texas state requirements you must meet:

You Have a Valid Non-Commercial Driver License

The ticket states an infraction of less than 25 MPH over the speed limit

You have not completed the course within the last 12 months

Your infraction was outside a construction zone

There are no special circumstance reprieves, unfortunately, so you'll have to meet all requirements. On top of that, approval needs to come from a judge before taking the course. Signing up before this approval can void the certificate of completion. If you need help determining if your ticket qualifies, you can ask the judge in court or contact their office directly.

How a Defensive Driving Course Can Help With Ticket Dismissal

After you confirm that you meet the qualifications, you will be able to complete the following steps for ticket dismissal relatively quickly. With the green light to proceed, you bring the court all the defensive driving court documents they need to approve.

These forms include license, proof of insurance, a signed admittance of guilt, and any fee money they'll charge for processing.

Once you have completed the administration aspect, you can enroll yourself in an accredited driving school. Visit the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation website to find a course.

When you have completed everything, you'll return to the courthouse with your certificate of completion and your driving record and watch smugly as the ticket removal occurs.

Just kidding! You should be friendly to the court staff; it may make the processing time shorter!

What Will You Learn in the Defensive Driving?

In the course, you'll get a refresher on the regulations and laws of traffic. This includes safety equipment, the aspects of a crash, how to prevent crashes/accidents, DUI's and much more.

It also dives into the human and psychological aspects of driving. As a student, you'll overcome the mental roadblocks that may trigger road rage with practical techniques in other parts of daily life.

In the end, you'll have improved on anticipating predictable hazards, how to avoid them, and becoming an overall more responsible motorist.

The class will be a minimum of 6 hours, so bring some lunch and must be completed in its entirety for you to get credit. For those that want to opt-out of in-person interaction, the course is also offered online and offers more flexibility because you can stop and go when you want to.

Already Taken Defensive Driving in Texas? Here's What Changed

You need to know a few changes if you've taken the course before 2015 and need to retake it. All driving education/ defensive courses have switched over from the Texas Education Agency or TEA and are now under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation responsibilities.

This change means that when you complete the new defensive driving course, your certification may state TDLR. If you have a certificate under TEA, it is still valid, and you will be able to use it until the regulated expiration date given by the court or insurance company.

The TEA remains the approving agency for deciding on programs for education, but all TEA accredited driving schools need approval for accreditation from the TDLR.

Yes, it's a lot of information, and the goal isn't to make your head spin, But it's important to remember to check their accreditation first if you plan on going back to the same driving school.

Texas Defensive Driving Can Help You Get Started on Ticket Dismissal Today

Getting a ticket could ruin your driving record and insurance if left unhandled. The right driving school can prevent that from happening by helping you sign up for the defensive driving course. Take some time to find the one that's right for you. Some schools take a straightforward approach, presenting you with the information in a dry, consumable format. Others believe they have discovered the secret formula to retain information by mixing comedy and learning, hoping to educate through engagement.

A defensive driving course is an excellent opportunity to prevent the consequences of your traffic citation and improve as a driver. Sign up for Defensive Driving Texas Course today to get started. Take advantage of the situation to set yourself for continued driving success and avoid future citations altogether!

For more information about Texas Driving Records, click: Texas Driving Records: Everything You Need to Know