Request to take Driving Safety Course (DSC) or Motorcycle Operator Training Course (MOTC)

Requesting Driving Safety Course (DSC) Or ...Motorcycle Operator Training Course (MOTC)

The Code of Criminal Procedure, Art 45.051(q) states -- You may be able to request this charge be dismissed by successfully completing a Driving Safety Course (DSC) or a Motorcycle Operator Training Course (MOTC). You will lose that right if on or before your first Court Appearance Date you do not provide the Court with notice of your request to take the course.

There are two types of DSC, mandatory and discretionary, which are explained in greater detail below. Normally, citations are entered into our system within 10 business days; however, you may contact the Ponder Municipal Court to verify that your citation(s) is available or use the "Online Pay" option on the Town of Ponder's home page.  Please read below to ensure you are eligible to request DSC. NOT all citations or defendants qualify for DSC.  You may request/apply for DSC/MOTC on or before your scheduled Court Appearance Date or, if you prefer, during Court.

You must request DSC or MOTC either on your Court Appearance Date or with the Ponder Court Clerk BEFORE your first Court Appearance Date, or you will lose the right to elect it at a later time. It is too late to elect DSC.MOTC at trial. Please allow 10 days from the date the ticket was issued to make your request.

DSC Eligibility:

You are NOT eligible to take DSC/MOTC if:

• You hold a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) or held a Commercial Drivers License when the offense was committed;
• You have taken a Court-ordered DSC for another ticket within one year from the date of this citation; or
• You are charged with:
  • 95 miles per hour or more;
  • Speeding 25 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit;
  • Passing a school bus;
  • Committing a serious traffic violation;
  • Failing to stop and provide information or render aid after an accident;
  • Committing an offense in a construction zone when workers are present;
  • You do not possess a valid Texas Drivers License

Mandatory DSC/MOTC:

You must check the eligibility criteria above to see if you are qualified for Mandatory DSC. Normally, citations are entered into our system within 10 business days; however, you may contact the Ponder Municipal Court or view your citation via the Online Payment option on the Town of Ponder's home page to verify that your citation(s) is in the Court's system and available. You must apply for Mandatory DSC/MOTC on or before your scheduled Court Appearance date either at Court during Court Clerk Office Hours or by mail.  

Mandatory DSC/MOTC fees:

Moving Violation: $144.00

School Zone Moving Violation: $179.00

Request by mail:

If you have read all of the above information and meet the eligibility criteria, please follow the instructions below to apply for the DSC/MOTC by mail:

Items to mail DSC/MOTC request:

• Photocopy of your current auto liability policy, listing you as a covered driver
• Color photocopy of the front your valid Texas Drivers License
• DSC Fee indicated above; payment may be made by money order or check - DO NO MAIL CASH
• Completed, and signed and notarized DSC/MOTC Sworn Request (download .pdf form)

ALL MAIL SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO:
Ponder Municipal Court
102 W. Bailey St.
Ponder, TX 76259

Request in person:

If you have read all of the above information and meet the eligibility criteria, please follow the instructions below to apply for the DSC/MOTC in person:

Items to bring to Court for a DSC/MOTC request:

• Photocopy of your current auto liability policy
• Color photocopy of your valid Texas Drivers License
• DSC Fee indicated above; in-person payment may be made by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card*
• Completed and signed DSC/MOTC application (download .pdf form; form must be signed in presence of a Notary Public)

*All credit/debit card payments are subject to a service fee charged by the third-party vendor who processes the credit/debit card payment.

If I mail my request, how do I know I have been approved to take DSC/MOTC?

The Court will notify you by mail and will outline the requirements/deadlines listed below. You will have ninety (90) days to complete the DSC/MOTC and submit the following by mail or in person:

• DSC/MOTC SIGNED Certificate of Completion; DO NOT FORGET to SIGN & SUBMIT  the “Court Copy." 
• You keep the "Insurance Copy" of the Certificate
• Certified Copy of Tx. DPS "Type 3-A" Complete Driving Record

How do I obtain the DSC/MOTC forms?

The eligibility and requirement instructions along with a Sworn Request form are listed below and can be downloaded in .pdf format.

Remember, the DSC/MOTC course you elect to take must be approved by the Texas Education Agency.  The Court may not recommend a DSC/MOTC course.

Sworn Request for DSC/MOTC

DSC dismissal requires also submitting Tx DPS "Type 3-A Complete Driving Record" to the Court. 

How do you obtain your Tx DPS "Type 3-A Complete Driving Record" ?  Visit the Texas DPS website:  Texas DPS Driver Records, and select List of Driver Record Types Available.

Online. You may request and purchase your Certified List of All Accidents and Violations on Record (Type 3A) online.  Drivers may pay for and print the certified version immediately. Cost is $12.00.

Mail. You may request your Driver Record online and have the Tx DPS Type 3-A Complete Driving Record  sent to you by mail using the Driving Record Order Form. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.

What must I submit  to the Court?

You will submit proof, either IN PERSON or BY MAIL, that you have complied with all of the requirements and met the deadline as outlined in the Court’s instructions. DSC Completion documents may NOT be emailed. The items you must remit to the Court are as follows:

Items to remit for Mandatory DSC/MOTC:

• Prior to taking a Mandatory DSC/MOTC: 
  • The Court must have your signed and notarized DSC Affidavit (Sworn DSC/MOTC Request) & DSC/MOTC Fee Payment in full
• After the Court has notified you that your citation status is DSC, you must within 90 days submit to the Court:
  • Signed DSC/MOTC Certificate of Completion; DO NOT FORGET to SIGN & SUBMIT  the “Court Copy." 
  • You keep the "Insurance Copy" of the Certificate
  • Certified Copy of Tx. DPS "Type 3-A" Complete Driving Record

Items to remit for Discretionary (Court ordered) DSC/MOTC within 90 days:

• Signed "Court Copy" of the DSC/MOTC Certificate of Completion
  • You MUST submit the SIGNED “Court Copy."  
  • You keep the "Insurance Copy."

If you fail to comply with any of the above-stated requirements, you will have a conviction on your driving record, and you will be required to pay the the fine amount. Failure to pay this fine amount may result in a hold on your drivers license and/or a warrant of arrest being issued.

What if documents are not turned in timely?

Defendants will be required to appear at a Show Cause Hearing, assigned by the Court. A letter will be sent to the address on file; the letter will indicate your Court Show Cause Hearing date for you to be present before the Judge on your failure to submit required documents in the time period allowed.

• The completed Sworn Driving Safety Request Form must be witnessed by a Notary Public of the State of Texas. Multiple Town of Ponder employees are a Notary Public provided you complete Court forms at the Town of Ponder.