DD stands for "Deferred Disposition" and appears on your Texas driver's license when you have been charged with a traffic offense but have not yet completed the terms of a deferred disposition agreement
The DD notation does not mean you have been convicted. Instead, it signals that you are in a probationary period during which you must meet specific conditions — usually paying a fine, completing a defensive driving course, or avoiding further traffic violations for a set time. If you successfully complete those conditions, the charge is dismissed and does not appear on your driving record as a conviction.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) adds the DD code to your license record when the court notifies them that you have entered into a deferred disposition agreement. This code remains visible to law enforcement officers during traffic stops and to you when you check your driving record online through the DPS website.
Key Takeaways
- DD on your Texas license means you are under a deferred disposition agreement with the court, not that you have been convicted of a traffic offense.
- You must complete the terms of your agreement — usually within 90 days to one year — or the charge will proceed to conviction.
- Deferred disposition is available only for certain traffic violations, not for serious offenses like DWI or driving with a suspended license.
- Once you finish your conditions and the court dismisses the charge, you can request that DPS remove the DD code from your license record.
How deferred disposition works in Texas
When you are stopped for a traffic violation in Texas, you have the option to request deferred disposition instead of pleading guilty or not guilty. The officer or prosecutor does not decide this — you request it, usually when you appear in court or contact the court before your hearing date.
If the court approves your request, you enter into an agreement. The specific terms depend on the violation and the court, but common conditions include paying a fine (usually $100 to $300 for minor violations), completing a defensive driving course (typically four to six hours online or in person), and driving violation-free for a probation period (usually 90 days to one year). Some courts require all three; others may require only one or two.
During this probation period, the charge remains pending. If you are arrested again for any traffic violation during that time, the court can dismiss your deferred disposition and proceed with conviction on the original charge. If you complete all conditions without incident, the court dismisses the charge entirely, and it does not count as a conviction on your record.
Which traffic violations may have access to for deferred disposition
Not every traffic offense in Texas is may be able to access for deferred disposition. The law limits it to certain misdemeanor traffic violations. Speeding, running a red light, improper lane change, and failure to maintain financial responsibility (no insurance) are common violations that courts will consider for deferred disposition.
Serious offenses are excluded. You cannot use deferred disposition for DWI (driving while intoxicated), driving with a suspended or revoked license, reckless driving, hit-and-run, or any felony traffic charge. If you are charged with one of these offenses, you must go through the standard court process.
The court has discretion over whether to grant deferred disposition even for may be able to access violations. A judge may deny your request if you have a history of traffic violations or if the circumstances of the offense are particularly serious. Some courts are more willing to grant deferred disposition than others, so outcomes can vary by county and judge.
What the DD code means for your driving record and insurance
While you are under deferred disposition, the DD code appears on your driving record and on your license. Law enforcement can see it during a traffic stop. However, it does not count as a conviction, so it typically does not affect your insurance rates the way a conviction would.
Insurance companies have access to your driving record and can see the DD notation. Some insurers may view it as a minor risk factor, but most do not penalize you for deferred disposition the way they would for a conviction. Once the charge is dismissed and the DD code is removed, there is no record of the violation on your driving history.
If you fail to complete the terms of your deferred disposition agreement — for example, you do not pay the fine or you receive another traffic violation — the court will dismiss the deferred disposition and proceed with conviction. That conviction will then appear on your record and will likely affect your insurance rates.
How to remove the DD code from your Texas license
After the court dismisses your charge, you must request that DPS remove the DD code from your driving record. The court does not automatically notify DPS to remove it; you have to take this step yourself.
Contact the court that handled your case and request a certified copy of the dismissal order. This document proves that you completed the deferred disposition agreement and the charge was dismissed. You will need this order to submit to DPS.
Mail or deliver the dismissal order to the DPS Driver License Division at their Austin headquarters or to your local DPS office. Include a written request asking them to remove the DD code from your record. DPS typically processes this request within two to four weeks. You can check your driving record online through the DPS website to confirm the DD code has been removed.
What happens if you do not complete deferred disposition
If you fail to meet the terms of your deferred disposition agreement, the court will take action. The most common failure is receiving another traffic violation during the probation period. When this happens, the court can dismiss your deferred disposition and move forward with conviction on the original charge.
If you do not pay the fine or do not complete the required defensive driving course by the important date, the court may issue a notice of failure to comply. You will have an opportunity to explain why you did not complete the terms, but if the court is not satisfied, it will proceed with conviction.
A conviction on your record carries real consequences: it will appear on your driving history, may increase your insurance rates, and can affect your employment if your job requires a clean driving record. For this reason, it is important to understand and meet all the conditions of your deferred disposition agreement before you accept it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does DD on my license mean I was convicted?
No. DD means you are under a deferred disposition agreement, which is a way to avoid conviction. If you complete the terms, the charge is dismissed and does not count as a conviction. If you fail to complete the terms, the court can then proceed with conviction.
Can I get a deferred disposition for a second traffic violation?
It depends on the court and the specific violations. Some courts will grant deferred disposition only once in a certain period (often three to five years). Others may grant it multiple times. You should ask the court or your attorney whether you are still within the window to request it.
How long does the DD code stay on my license?
The DD code remains on your record until you complete the deferred disposition agreement and the court dismisses the charge. After dismissal, you must request that DPS remove it. The removal usually takes two to four weeks after DPS receives your dismissal order.
Will deferred disposition affect my car insurance rates?
Deferred disposition typically does not affect your rates because it is not a conviction. However, some insurance companies may view the DD notation as a minor risk factor. Once the charge is dismissed and the code is removed, there is no record of the violation on your driving history.
What if I move out of Texas before I complete deferred disposition?
You must still complete the terms of your agreement with the Texas court, even if you move. Contact the court that issued the deferred disposition to ask about completing the requirements from out of state. Some courts may allow you to complete a defensive driving course online or pay the fine by mail, but you need to confirm this with the specific court.