Full disclosure: it’s really easy to get your license suspended in Texas. You can wind up facing a suspended license in Texas for all sorts of reasons, from leaving your traffic ticket on the back burner for too long to getting too many driving record points — but the most common reason for Texas license suspensions is DWI.
Among the chaos and possible penalties that follow a DWI, a license suspension may seem like small peanuts, but not being able to drive — especially in a city like Houston — is often the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Trust us, losing your license can turn an already difficult legal process into hell on earth, and it can actually negatively affect your criminal case.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about avoiding a suspended license in Texas, or, if you or a loved one has been arrested for DWI and is facing license suspension, contact us online today to defend your freedom.
Reasons your license can be suspended in Texas
There are a lot of reasons that your license can be suspended in Texas, but some are more common than others. Some of the more common reasons that you could face license suspension in the Lone Star State include the following:
- DWI offenses
- Drug offenses
- Excessive moving violations
- Driving with no license
- Driving without insurance
- Physical or psychological disqualification
- Other driving-related violations
- Non-driving related violations
With so many violations that could potentially get your license suspended, it’s important to always know the status of your license. If you have been pulled over, ticketed, or have had any other run-ins with the police as of late, it’s a good idea to check on your Texas drivers license suspension status regularly.
Wondering how to check if your license is suspended in Texas? You can check your driving eligibility and pay any necessary reinstatement fees on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s website — unfortunately, if you’ve been charged with DWI, it’s not usually that simple.
What to do if your license is suspended in Texas from a DWI
If you were arrested for DWI in Texas and you want to save your license, there are a few things you can do to make that happen — but you’ll have to do them quickly. Why? In Texas, you only have 15 days to request the hearing (ALR hearing) that allows you to save your license. Make sure to move fast through the following steps.
- Request an ALR hearing. Like we said, you only have 15 days from the date of your arrest for DWI to request this hearing. We’ll go over this more later.
- Hire an attorney. In order to win an ALR hearing and defend your license, you’re going to need a lawyer who has your back.
- Apply for an occupational license. If you absolutely need to drive and can’t wait, you can start the process of applying for an occupational license.
The best thing to do after your license is suspended for a DWI in Texas is to hire a talented private attorney to handle the ALR case for you. At Thiessen Law Firm we win around 95% of our clients’ ALR hearings, saving their licenses and setting the stage for a successful defense to their criminal charges for DWI.
How long does it take to reinstate a suspended license in Texas?
For how long do Texas licenses get suspended? The length and severity of your Texas suspended license will vary depending on the circumstances under which the suspension was acquired. Generally, the following is true about DWI-related suspensions:
- Administrative suspensions for first-time DWIs usually last between 90 days and 1 year.
- Conviction-related suspensions vary depending on whether it’s your first DWI in Texas or you’re a repeat offender, but generally last up to 2 years.
In some scenarios, the court can extend DWI license suspensions beyond the 2-year threshold, a scenario which is much more common for 3rd or 4th DWIs or intoxication manslaughter cases in Texas.
What is the penalty for driving on a suspended license in Texas?
Driving without a license, or with a suspended license, is generally a low-level misdemeanor in Texas. While misdemeanors might not come with the harshest penalties, being caught for driving on a suspended license will likely further extend your suspension period, and complicate your life even further.
Can you go to jail for driving without a license in Texas? Yes! A first-offense for driving without a license is unlikely to result in jail time, but subsequent offenses can be Class B misdemeanors, which carry up to 180 days in jail.
How much is a ticket for driving with a suspended license in Texas?
When it comes to accidentally driving around with a suspended license in Texas, chances are you’ll land a fat fine. The exact fine amount will depend on the circumstances in which you get caught. Here’s an idea of what to expect:
- No additional circumstances: up to $500 and the possibility of an extended suspension.
- Previous conviction of driving with a suspended license/suspended due to DWI: up to $2,000 fine, up to 180 days in jail and the possibility of an extended suspension.
- If you cause a wreck that results in serious injury/death: up to a $4,000 fine, up to 1 year in jail and the possibility of an extended suspension.
How to reinstate a suspended license in Texas
License reinstatement is quite simple, but only once you’ve completed any programs and waiting periods required by the court.
- Complete programs and wait it out. Many people have to complete alcohol education programs and other court-ordered classes while they wait out their suspension period.
- Pay your outstanding fees and fines. These may include criminal fines, court costs, surcharges, and reinstatement fees.
- Submit proof of insurance. You may need to get and provide proof for SR-22 insurance if you’re convicted.
How much does it cost to reinstate a suspended license in Texas? It will generally cost at least a few hundred dollars but, similar to the length of a suspension, costs can also vary significantly. The state likes to tack on as many fees as possible (such as Texas drivers license surcharges), but if you hire the right attorney you can avoid many of them and reduce the overall cost of having your license suspended.
What you need to know about ALR hearings in Texas
What is administrative license revocation? Administrative license revocation (ALR) is the civil process that accompanies criminal charges for DWI. It is a separate hearing in which the state will motion to revoke your license before your criminal case even begins. There are a few very important things to remember about your ALR hearing:
- We can’t stress this enough — you only have 15 days to request this hearing. If you do not request it, your license will be automatically suspended.
- The hearing is conducted by a judge whose job is to review the evidence against you, which can include officer testimony and BAC test results, and decide whether or not to suspend your license.
- You can hire a private attorney to represent you in this hearing, where they will challenge evidence and attempt to prevent your license from being suspended.
While successfully challenging the evidence and saving your license may seem difficult, for a good attorney it shouldn’t be. Thiessen Law Firm wins almost all of our ALR cases before going on to represent our clients in criminal cases for DWI.
How to win an ALR hearing
Avoiding administrative license revocation is all about winning the ALR hearing, and your chances of winning an ALR hearing in Texas go up exponentially when you have a good attorney. Careful preparation and experience in ALR hearings will go a long way here, so make sure your attorney knows how to win an ALR hearing.
A few common methods for challenging license suspension at ALR hearings include:
- Challenging the legality of the traffic stop, including probable cause and reasonable suspicion for the stop and arrest.
- Disputing field sobriety test results, which are notoriously unreliable and designed to be failed.
- Disputing the results of blood alcohol tests, which are often carried out incorrectly by poorly trained officers using poorly maintained equipment.
- Questioning the arrest process, which could have resulted in violations of your rights or police protocol.
Avoid a suspended license in Texas with Thiessen Law Firm
Unfortunately, dealing with a suspended license after a DWI in Texas requires much, much more time than a trip to a Texas DPS or DMV. If you’re wondering how to save your license and have yet to even schedule your ALR hearing, you likely need legal help before it’s too late.
Don’t wait around and let the state take the driver’s seat—hire a Houston DWI lawyer who will take the lead and guide you through the entire process of getting your license reinstated.
At Thiessen Law Firm, our team has helped hundreds of Texans with their DWI suspension hearings. We built our reputation by protecting the rights of people accused of DWI in Texas, defending their licenses in civil hearings and their future in criminal trials.
Save your license and protect your future by giving us a call today at (713) 864-9000 or contacting us online. We’re standing by to offer aggressive defense.
More Helpful Articles by Thiessen Law Firm:
- Is a DWI a Felony in Texas?
- How to Win a DWI Trial
- How to Build a Strong DWI Defense
- What Is the Statute of Limitations in Texas for DWI?
- What to Expect During a DWI Case in Texas
