Defensive Driving in McAllen, Texas

by John Fabel | Last Updated: September 18, 2022

McAllen can be a dangerous place to drive, both physically and fiscally. McAllen averages nearly 2,700 collisions annually, 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 U.S., 100,000 speeding tickets are written every day, and, no doubt, McAllen 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. McAllen 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.

Check Out Our #1 Pick to Get Your Ticket Dismissed FAST! GET STARTED!

The Easiest Way to Take Defensive Driving in McAllen? 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).

McAllen’s Best TDLR-Approved Online Defensive Driving Providers

School	Name	TDLR Ref #	Phone	Rating
Get Started	Approved Course Texas	CP-280	817-577-8854	5/5
Get Started	A Sense of Humor Driving	CP-814	817-577-8854	4/5
Get Started	Aceable	CP-262	512-865-6549	4.5/5
Get Started	I Drive Safely	CP-024	800-723-1955	4.5/5
Get Started	Ticket School.com	CP-090	800-558-9887	4.5/5

Online Not for You?

We understand that learning online is not everybody’s preference. If you prefer to “get your learnin’ live,” you can still get out and take defensive driving in a classroom.

Depending on the school, classroom defensive driving has always been fun. Now I’m not gonna lie; classroom defensive driving in Waco is hard to find anymore. Here’s one school we found where you can still take defensive driving in the presence of other humans.

ADAPT and ABC Defensive Driving School

Besides their TDLR-approved defensive driving course, Adapt and ABC Defensive Driving School also offers DWI education, drug offender education, DWI repeat offender education, alcohol awareness MIP, and anger management courses.

5110 Wilkinson Dr #108, Corpus Christi, TX 78415 or call 361-985-8598

Benavides Driving School

Opened in 1975, Benavides Driving School has taught thousands of folks in the Rio Grande Valley how to drive. They are also prepared to keep those drivers sharp, with TDLR-approved defensive driving classes offered every other Saturday from 8:30-2:30.

Visit Benavides Driving School, located at 137 East Price Road, Brownsville, TX, 78520, or call 956-541-2484

In the bygone B.C. (before Covid) days, schools like Comedy Guys, Funny Bone, and My Improv were famous for their defensive driving classes that were more or less dinner and a show. Hopefully, they’ll be back soon.

If You Have Received a Ticket in McAllen

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 McAllen process for asking “pretty please” starts with following these steps.

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 McAllen

McAllen is a fairly easy town to navigate by car, but it can take a little time to get to work. The average one-way commute to work in McAllen is 31.3 minutes, nearly five minutes longer than the U.S. average of 26.4 minutes. This difference might be explained by the number of people that live in McAllen but work in Dallas

How people in McAllen get to work:

• 79.9% drive their car alone
• 13.0% carpool with others
•  2.3% work from home
•  0.5% take mass transit

More Cool Stuff About McAllen

McAllen’s is a city with much for tourists and locals to see and do in and around town.

• Looking for Some Family Fun? Give one of these spots a try
  • The Frio Grande Valley Ice Center, McAllen’s premiere ice skating rink, is a perfect way to beat the heat and experience an exciting sport.
  • Jump and bounce to your heart’s content at Jump Up for Fun or Get Air Indoor Trampoline Park
• Like to Take in the Great Outdoors? Put these destinations on your list
  • Get back to nature at Quinta Mazatlan. Walk the trails and see the large variety of birds that live and migrate here.
  • Wander the McAllen Nature Center, a 33-acre nature site with 1.6 miles of trails (including ¾ mile ADA accessible).
  • Enjoy fishing, boating, and other water sports at Town Lake.
• Feeling “Artsy?” Mc Allen has a lot to offer
  • Enjoy the entertainment and cultural offerings at the McAllen Performing Arts Center
  • Head to the Arts District and explore over two dozen art galleries, including the Nuevo Santander
  • See creations by up-and-coming artists at McAllen’s Creative Incubator

No Matter Your Plans

Be careful driving to get there, whatever you decide to see or do in McAllen. 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.

Check Out Our #1 Pick to Get Your Ticket Dismissed FAST! GET STARTED!

John Fabel

I have a long and checkered history with defensive driving. I took my first "court invited" course at age 15 and realized immediately that there had to be a better way. Since that first experience, I have gone on to teach defensive driving classroom courses and to author four internet courses in 2 states. After nearly 25 years in the industry, I can help you find a course that will be the best fit for you.