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Texting while driving ticket in Texas

A texting ticket in Texas costs $131–$306 across 6 courts.

Fine$131–$306across 6 courts
PointsNo points, tickets are counted
Driving safety course (defensive driving)Yes

Add up my ticket All Texas rules

How much does each court charge for a texting ticket?

Austin Municipal Court charges the most, at $306. El Paso Municipal Court charges $131.

Austin Municipal Court$306
Fort Bend County$240
Dallas Municipal Court$194
Houston Municipal Courts$184
Fort Worth Municipal Court$184
El Paso Municipal Court$131

Amount on your notice (not published): Harris County, Dallas County, Tarrant County, Bexar County, San Antonio Municipal Court, Travis County, Collin County, Montgomery County, Williamson County.

Does a texting ticket add points in Texas?

No points. DPS counts convictions for moving violations: 4 or more convictions from different incidents in 12 consecutive months, or 7 or more in 24 months, makes you a 'habitual violator' and DPS must suspend your license (Transp. Code §521.292(a)(3), (b)). Moving violations from any state or Canadian province count. Seat-belt violations and certain size/weight offenses do not count. Under 18: 2 or more moving-violation convictions within 12 months is grounds for suspension. A ticket dismissed after a driving safety course or deferred disposition is not a conviction and does not count (CCP Arts. 45A.305(b), 45A.357(a)). DPS waived all existing DRP surcharge assessments and DRP suspensions on Sept. 1, 2019.[1][3][6] Suspension rules →

Will a texting ticket raise your insurance in Texas?

Probably, once it is on your record. Insurers rate a texting ticket as a moving violation. In Texas one speeding ticket raised a full-coverage premium about 20% on average[1], or about $1,778 over three years. A texting ticket usually lands in the same range.

Estimate based on the state's speeding average, not a quote.

How long do you have to respond to a texting ticket in Texas?

  1. Date on noticePay or respondset by the court[13][4]
    Details

    Appear or answer (plead, pay, or request a course) by the date on your citation. If you miss it: Missing it can lead to a warrant, a separate misdemeanor for violating your written promise to appear, and a hold on renewing your license (ch. 706).

  2. 5daysAsk for a new trialfrom conviction[3]
    Details

    Motion for new trial

  3. 10daysLast day to appealfrom conviction[3]
    Details

    Appeal to county court (file appeal bond). If you miss it: If the bond is not filed in time, the case goes back for execution of the sentence.

  4. 15daysAsk for a suspension hearingfrom the notice date[1]
    Details

    Request a hearing on a DPS suspension (e.g., habitual violator). If you miss it: Without a hearing request, the suspension takes effect on the 40th day after notice and lasts 90 days.

Can you keep a texting ticket off your Texas record?

Every way to handle a Texas ticket, from paying to contesting →

Texting tickets in other states →

What else do people ask?

How much is a texting ticket in Texas?

It depends on the court. Published amounts: Austin Municipal Court $306, Fort Bend County $240, Dallas Municipal Court $194, Houston Municipal Courts $184.

Will a texting ticket raise my insurance in Texas?

Probably, if it goes on your record. Insurers rate it as a moving violation. In Texas a speeding ticket raised full-coverage premiums about 20% on average (ValuePenguin State of Auto Insurance in 2026), and a texting ticket tends to land in the same range.

Does a texting ticket add points in Texas?

No points. DPS counts convictions for moving violations: 4 or more convictions from different incidents in 12 consecutive months, or 7 or more in 24 months, makes you a 'habitual violator' and DPS must suspend your license (Transp. Code §521.292(a)(3), (b)). Moving violations from any state or Canadian province count. Seat-belt violations and certain size/weight offenses do not count. Under 18: 2 or more moving-violation convictions within 12 months is grounds for suspension. A ticket dismissed after a driving safety course or deferred disposition is not a conviction and does not count (CCP Arts. 45A.305(b), 45A.357(a)). DPS waived all existing DRP surcharge assessments and DRP suspensions on Sept. 1, 2019.

Sources

Texas law and DMV sources (7)
  1. Tex. Transp. Code ch. 521 (Driver's Licenses), §§521.292-521.298, Texas Legislature (Texas Constitution and Statutes).
  2. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. ch. 45A (Justice and Municipal Courts), Subch. E (appeal), G (deferred disposition, Arts. 45A.301-45A.307), H (driving safety course dismissal, Arts. 45A.351-45A.359), Texas Legislature (Texas Constitution and Statutes).
  3. Tex. Transp. Code ch. 706 (Denial of Renewal of License for Failure to Appear), Texas Legislature (Texas Constitution and Statutes).
  4. Texas DPS: Driver Responsibility Program Repealed, Texas Department of Public Safety.
  5. Tex. Transp. Code ch. 545, §§545.066, 545.401, 545.413, 545.425, 545.4251, Texas Legislature (Texas Constitution and Statutes).
  6. Tex. Transp. Code ch. 543, §§543.006, 543.009 (notice to appear, promise to appear), Texas Legislature (Texas Constitution and Statutes).
  7. TDLR: Taking a Driving Safety Course, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Insurance sources (4)
  1. State of Auto Insurance in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
  2. Car Insurance Rate Increases with a Speeding Ticket in 2026, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
  3. How Does a DUI Affect Your Auto Insurance Rates in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).
  4. How Much Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up After a Crash in 2026?, ValuePenguin (LendingTree).