by
John Fabel | Last Updated: October 21, 2023 With over 325,000 residents potentially on the road at any given time, driving in Corpus Christi can be challenging. In Texas’s eighth-largest city, driving can sometimes get as spicy as the salsa at La Palma.
Corpus Christi can be a dangerous place to drive, both physically and fiscally. Corpus Christi averages around 8600 collisions per year, with nearly a third resulting in injuries or fatalities.
Since most accidents are caused by a failure to control speed, law enforcement does its best to slow this trend by writing tickets. In the US, 100,000 speeding tickets are written every day, and, no doubt, Corpus Christi drivers get their fair share. At an average cost of $150 a ticket, the nation’s speeders pay out nearly $5.5 billion dollars in fines, and each of them faces a 22-25% increase in their car insurance premiums for the next three years.
All of these costs could be drastically reduced with better driving by all. Corpus Christi drivers can bring these numbers down by taking defensive driving (also known in Texas as a “driver safety course”). Tips and reminders of how to navigate the roads safely are the main topics of any driving course. The stated purpose of a TDLR-approved course is to teach drivers to “change their perceptions, attitudes, and skills to make Texas roads and highways a safer place to drive.” Other benefits of taking a defensive driving course include ticket dismissal and insurance savings, all at a reasonable cost.
The Easiest Way to Take Defensive Driving in Corpus Christi? Do it Online
With the hectic pace of life, the easiest way to complete a course is to take it online. The ability to work at your own pace from your own place makes it the most convenient way, too. Any of the schools listed below offer courses approved for ticket dismissal and/or insurance discount. And you can choose any of them with confidence as they are fully certified by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
Corpus Christi’s Best TDLR-Approved Online Defensive Driving Providers
School | Name | TDLR Ref # | Phone | Sign Up |
 | CP-814 | |||
 #1 in TX! | CP-280 | |||
 | CP-262 | |||
 | CP-024 | |||
  | CP-090 |
If You Have Received a Ticket in Corpus Christi
Defensive driving courses can be used to improve driving skills and earn insurance discounts, but the benefit most people look for is ticket dismissal.
The first step to taking defensive driving is receiving permission to do so. The Corpus Christi process for asking “pretty please” must follow these steps:
- Enter a plea of guilty or no contest on or before the appearance date on your citation.
- Submit a plea form
- Present a driving safety course request in writing on or before your appearance date on your citation. This is done with an Affidavit and Application for the Driving Safety Course form
- Present a valid Texas Driver’s license, permit, or Military ID
- Present proof of current insurance
- Pay court costs and reimbursement fee
Dismissal for most citations is possible unless the ticket was written:
- For speeding 25 miles per hour (or more) over the posted limit
- Passing a stopped school bus
- In a posted construction zone while workers are present
- Leaving the scene of an accident
- Fleeing police
Ticket dismissal is also not a possibility if you are the holder of a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) or if you have dismissed a ticket with defensive driving in the past 12 months.
Driving in Corpus Christi
If you love the occasional road trip, Corpus offers some beautiful scenic drives. To get the best of the area, start downtown on the Corpus Christi Bayfront. Offering spectacular views of Corpus Christi Bay, the Harbor Bridge, the T-heads, and more. At the north end of Shoreline Blvd, you can explore Bayfront Park and Splash Fountain.
Next, head south on Shoreline Blvd until it becomes Ocean Dr. Ocean Dr has large stately homes and great views of the bay. Once you have cleared the beautiful neighborhood, you’ll come to Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Turn right on Ennis Joslin Rd and, if you have a moment, visit the Karankawa Indian Burial Ground.
Turn left on South Padre Island Dr and head out to the island. Crossing over Oso Bay on the JFK Causeway and bridge, you will drive through Flour Bluff and then across the Laguna Madre. Once you’ve cleared the bridge, you are on Padre Island, where you’ll find many restaurants and great views of the Laguna Madre.
Once you reach the light at State Hwy 361, you can take a left and head a short 17 miles to Port Aransas, or continue straight to take a side trip to Bob Hall Pier or the Padre Island National Seashore.
If you opt for Port Aransas, turn left on Ave G and head to Cutoff Rd to catch the ferry or take a little time to explore. The ferry is free and runs 24 hours a day, and is a great place to watch for dolphins.
Leaving the ferry, continue on Hwy 361 to Aransas Pass. This leg of the trip takes you past Lighthouse Lakes and the flats of Redfish Bay. Once you reach Aransas Pass, continue straight to Harrison Blvd, turn right and then left onto Wheeler a.k.a. State Hwy 35), and head into Portland.
Leaving Portland, you will pass Sunset Lake and Indian Point Pier on your left. Continue across the Nueces Bay Causeway back to Corpus Christi.
As you approach the Harbor Bridge, look for the USS Lexington on your left and the nearby Texas State Aquarium. From the top of the bridge, you will have a spectacular view of Corpus Christi. Continue back to Shoreline Dr, and your trip is complete.
If you don’t mind staying in the car, this whole loop only takes about 90 minutes to complete, but we highly encourage you to take your time.
No Matter Your Plans
Whatever you decide to see or do in Grand Prairie, be careful driving to get there. Without question, the driving environment here can pose some real traffic challenges. Consider taking a defensive driving course to make sure you get to your “whatever” safely.
| #1 Choice in TX! |
