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Driver License Suspension in Texas
If your Texas driver’s license and driving privileges have been suspended by the Department of
Public Safety (DPS), you’ll need to reinstate your license by satisfying the requirements and
paying your reinstatement fees.
The DPS can suspend or revoke your driver’s license for various reasons, including:
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Being evaluated as medically unable to drive.
Driving or boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DWI or BWI).
Committing multiple traffic violations.
Having no car insurance while being involved in an accident resulting in injury, death,
or at least $1,000 in property damage.
On this page you’ll find information about your license suspensions, how to reinstate your
driving privileges, and how to obtain an occupational license.
About Your Suspended License in TX
When your driver’s license has been suspended, the Texas DPS will mail you an enforcement
notification.
NOTE: If your current address is not on file with the TX Department of Public Safety, you will
not receive your notification, but your driver’s license will still be suspended. If you need to
change your address, please see our Changing Your Address in Texas page.
The length of your driver’s license suspension will vary depending on the offense.
If you were convicted of a DWI, your license can be suspended:
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For up to 2 years, if you are 21 years old or older.
For 1 year, if you are under 21 years old and:
o An additional 180 days, if you don’t complete an Alcohol Education Program.
o 90 days if you are required to get an interlock ignition and to complete
community service.
NOTE: If you refuse to take a blood or breath test, you can still receive the same driver’s license
suspensions listed above.
Administrative License Revocation
In addition to criminal charges and suspensions you may face for DWI and alcohol related
convictions, you can also face license suspensions under the Administrative License Revocation
(ALR) Program.
If you fail a breath or blood test, or you refuse to submit to one when pulled over for DWI, a
police officer will take your TX license and issue you a 40-day temporary driving permit.
You have 15 days from your arrest, to challenge your pending ALR license suspension and
request a hearing. If you don’t request a hearing within this time, your license will be suspended
after 40 days. To request an ALR hearing, see “Suspension Hearings and Appeals” below.
Under the ALR program, your TX driver’s license can be suspended for 90 days to 2 years.
If you are under 21 years old, you can also receive a 30, 60, or 90-day license suspension for:
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Buying or attempting to buy alcohol.
Possessing or consuming alcohol.
Public intoxication.
If you are convicted of a drug or substance offense, your TX driver’s license will be suspended
for 180 days.
Other offenses and violations may carry different suspension terms. Please refer to your TX DPS
suspension enforcement notification or contact the Texas Department of Public Safety for more
information:
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Phone:
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(512) 424-2600 (English).
(512) 424-7181 (Spanish).
E-mail: Use the e-mail form to e-mail the TX DPS.
NOTE: If you drive while your license is suspended, you can receive an additional suspension
for the same duration as your current suspension.
Check Your Driver License Status
You can check the status of your driver’s license on the Texas DPS website. After you enter your
personal information, you will see:
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Your driver license status.
Any fees you owe.
Any documents or items you must submit.
NOTE: Driver’s license suspensions will always remain on your complete driving record and
can lead to higher car insurance premiums.
For information about requesting your driving record, please see our Driving Records in Texas
page.
You may be able to lower your driving record points and dismiss traffic tickets by enrolling
in an online defensive driving course.
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Suspension Hearings and Appeals
Depending on the type of suspension you have, you may be able to contest the decision with a
hearing or appeal.
If you are facing a license suspension under the ALR program (see “Administrative License
Revocation” above), you can request a hearing before the suspension goes into effect.
NOTE: You may need to pay a fee to have a hearing or appeal.
Looking for a DUI attorney?
Find an attorney to help you with your DUI or license suspension.
Suspension Hearings
Within 20 days of a license suspension, you can request a hearing to contest it.
NOTE: You must request a hearing within 15 days of receiving your notice for an ALR
suspension. See “Administrative License Revocation” above.
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To request a hearing, submit an online hearing request on the Texas DPS website.
To request an ALR hearing, submit an online ALR hearing request.
If your request is received in time, the Texas DPS will mail you a letter that includes your
hearing date, time, and location. If you request a hearing too late, you will received a denial
notice in the mail.
NOTE: Your hearing request can take up to 120 days to process and schedule.
Suspension Appeals
If you’ve already had a hearing, but want to contest the decision, you can request an appeal
within 30 days of receiving your hearing suspension letter.
To request an appeal for your suspension, mail a stamped and certified appeal petition from
the court by certified mail to:
Department of Public Safety
Enforcement and Compliance Service
P.O. Box 4087
Austin, TX 78773-0320
To appeal an ALR suspension, return your certified petition to the Texas DPS:
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By mail to:
Director of Hearings – ALR Program
P.O. Box 15327
Austin, TX 78761-5327
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In person to:
Director of Hearings – ALR Program
5805 N Lamar Blvd, Main Building
Austin, TX 78752-0300
NOTE: If your appeal request is approved, the DPS will remove your license suspension for 90
days. Once a final decision is reached, you must return a certified copy of the court’s decision to
the Texas DPS at one of the addresses above.
Reinstate Your Texas Driver’s License
When your driving privileges are suspended, you’ll need to wait out your suspension period,
complete your requirements, and pay your fees before you can fully reinstate your drivers
license.
Your reinstatement fees and requirements will vary depending on the reason for your license
suspension.
To reinstate your driver license, use the TX DPS online license eligibility service. You’ll need to
provide:
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Your driver license number.
Your birth date.
The last 4 digits of your Social Security number.
Payment for the reinstatement fee.
o The Texas DPS accepts VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express
credit cards. Please note that:
 Any court fees must be paid to the court.
 ALR license suspensions require a $125 reinstatement fee.
 If you’ve recently made a payment with the TX DPS online service, you
must wait 72 hours before you can pay your reinstatement fees online.
o If you cannot pay online, you can submit a check with your suspension
compliance documents (see below).
You will also need to submit any required suspension compliance documents and a Financial
Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR22) (from your insurance company) to the Department
of Public Safety.
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By mail:
Department of Public Safety
Enforcement and Compliance Service
P.O. Box 4087
Austin, TX 78773-0320
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By fax: (512) 424-2848.
By e-mail (documents must be PDF files): driver.improvement@dps.texas.gov.
Your Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22) must be maintained for 2 years.
Has your car insurance premium gone up with your suspended license?
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Medical Suspensions, DWI, & Uninsured Accident Requirements
Below are some additional requirements you may need to satisfy depending on the type of
suspension.
Medical Advisory Board Suspension
If the TX Medical Advisory Board (MAB) suspended your driver’s license, you may need to:
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Be approved by the MAB.
Submit your medical information.
Pass a driving test.
DWI/DUI Suspensions
If your driver’s license was suspended for a DWI, you may need to:
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Complete a 12-hour Alcohol Education Program within 180 days of your conviction.
Complete a Repeat Offender’s DWI Drug Education Program.
If your driver license was suspended for a drug-related offense, you’ll need to complete a 15hour Drug Education Program.
Ignition Interlock Device
If you are required to get an ignition interlock device (IID), you’ll need to pay the $10 IID fee
to add an interlock restriction to your driver’s license.
Suspensions for Being Uninsured
If your suspension was the result of being involved in an accident while uninsured, you’ll need
to submit 1 of the following documents:
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Evidence of insurance during the accident.
A Notarized Release (SR-11) from judgment.
An Installment Agreement (SR-19).
An SR-22 from your insurance company that has been prepaid for 6 months.
OR
An Application for Reinstatement of Driver’s License and Registration Under the Safety
Responsibility Act (SR-60) if a civil suit hasn’t been filed for 2 years after the accident.
If you have questions about your specific situation and the documents required, visit the TX DPS
license eligibility online service or contact the Department of Public Safety:
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Phone:
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(512) 424-2600 (English).
(512) 424-7181 (Spanish).
E-mail: Use the e-mail form to contact the TX DPS through its website.
Obtain a Restricted Occupational License
You may be eligible for a temporary occupational license, if you need to drive for:
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Work.
School.
Carrying out necessary household functions.
You cannot request a restricted license if:
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Your license was suspended for medical reasons.
Your license was suspended for failing to pay child support.
You wish to drive a commercial vehicle.
Restricted licenses are usually valid for up to 1 year. They can be issued for a maximum of 2
years if granted by the court.
To request an occupational license:
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Visit the court in the county where your suspension occurred and make a petition.
Obtain a signed court order, which can be used as a 30-day temporary license.
Provide the Texas DPS with:
o Your certified occupational license petition and court order.
o A Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR22), from your insurance
company.
o Any required suspension documents.
o Your drivers license reinstatement fees. (See “Reinstate Your TX Driver’s
License” above.)
o Your $10 occupational license fee.
Submit the above in person at a TX DPS office or mail them to:
Department of Public Safety
Enforcement and Compliance Service
P.O. Box 4087
Austin, TX 78773-0320
Your occupational license request will be processed immediately unless your driver’s license
was suspended due to:
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An alcohol or drug-related offense: You must wait 90 days.
An intoxication conviction: You must wait 180 days.
OR
2 administrative license revocations or more on your driving record: You must wait 1
year.
NOTE: If you want to apply for an ID card, please see our Identification Cards in Texas page.
CDL Suspensions in Texas
If you have a TX commercial driver’s license (CDL), you are subject to both Texas and federal
suspended license regulations, which are controlled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA).
Your CDL can be suspended for a period ranging from 60 days to a lifetime for criminal
convictions, including:
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DWI and alcohol convictions.
Serious traffic violations.
Being involved in a felony.
Convictions and violations committed in a noncommercial vehicle.
Under the ALR program (see “About Your Suspended License in TX” above) your CDL may
be suspended for 1 year or 3 years depending on your offense.
Your fines, reinstatement requirements, and duration of your suspension will vary depending on
the conviction.
For a full list of CDL suspension types and periods, visit both the Texas DPS website and the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.
To reinstate your CDL after the term of your suspension, please see “Reinstate Your Driver’s
License” above.
If you apply for a restricted/occupational license, you can only use it to operate noncommercial vehicles.
NOTE: If your CDL suspension was caused by 2 violations or more within 3 years that were
deemed to be serious traffic violations, your license will automatically be reinstated after 60
days.