Effective September 1, 2025, Senate Bill 296 of the 89th Legislative Session amended Article 45A.352 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which lays out guidelines that allow judges to require a defendant to successfully complete a driving safety course or a motorcycle operator training and safety program approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
This section.
The following changes were made to Article 45A.352:
- Updates how a request may be sent to the court to take a course. Written requests must be made on or before the answer date on the notice to appear.
- Adds a new Subsection (b) to the article: If a new defendant described by Subsection a is charged with more than one offense arising out of the same criminal transaction that applies to the subchapter,, each charge is eligible for dismissal following the successful completion of one course.
Driving Safety Providers must update their driving safety course to include the amended changes, if the course references the previous language in Article 45A.352. In addition, providers should make sure they are familiar with Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 84 and Texas Education Code, Chapter 1001.
If you have question about this bill, please contact the Education & Examination Division.