(SEE BELOW FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) INFORMATION)

There is a difference between having your Texas driver’s license suspended and having it revoked.

• A suspension means you cannot drive for a certain period of time, but can get your license back later.
• A revocation of your license means your driver’s license is cancelled, and you will need to submit to an investigation before you can obtain another license.

Insurance companies keep a close watch on license suspensions / revocations. Your insurance premiums may go up drastically, and you may be labeled a “high-risk” customer. Even worse, your insurance company may cancel your policy, leaving you to search for insurance with the “high-risk” driver tag, meaning you’ll have to pay much higher premiums. It is recommended that you get in touch with a DUI/DWI lawyer as they are experts at handling such incidents and can offer you the best advice. Additionally, you will face Heavy Fines and Reinstatement Fees, and Points on your driver’s license! All this information can be found on our website. You could also contact an STA Advisor absolutely FREE!!!

There are a variety of reasons why your Texas driver’s license might be suspended. Some of these are related to specific driving violations, while others may be due to violation of other State laws. The following are some of the most common reasons for a Texas driver’s license to be suspended or revoked.

• Driving Under the Influence: Your Texas driver’s license will be suspended if you are found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The suspension length depends on the severity of the violation and whether it is a first or repeat offense. If you were convicted of a DWI, your license can be suspended for up to 2 years, if you are 21 years old or older. If you are under 21 years old, your license can be suspended for 1 year, and an additional 180 days, if you don’t complete an Alcohol Education Program. It will be and additional 90 days if you are required to get an interlock ignition and to complete community service.

If you refuse to take a blood or breath test, you can still receive the same driver’s license suspensions listed above.

• Drug Offenses: A conviction for a drug offense (which does not necessarily have to have been committed while operating a motor vehicle) will result in license suspension for 180 days.
• Excessive Moving Violations: If you receive too many tickets for moving traffic violations your license may be suspended. Your license will be suspended if you receive 4 or more traffic tickets in a 12-month period or 7 or more traffic tickets in a 24-month period.
• Driving with a Suspended License or No License: Driving with a suspended license will lead to an increase in the length of the suspension, equal to the original suspension period.
• Driving without Insurance: All motor vehicles driven in Texas must be properly insured. A second or subsequent ticket for driving without insurance can result in your license being suspended. Additionally, having no car insurance while being involved in an accident resulting in injury, death, or at least $1,000 in property damage will result in your license being suspended.
• Physical or Psychological Disqualification: The DOT can order a re-examination of any person who may not be fit to drive. An individual’s driving privileges may be suspended if the re-examination finds they are physically or psychologically unable to drive safely.
• Other Driving-Related Violations: Your Texas driver’s license may also be suspended if you engage in reckless driving, are found to be at fault in a fatal accident, or if you have your license suspended in another State.
• Non-Driving Reasons for License Suspension: A variety of non-driving violations or issues can result in your license being suspended. These include being found incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle by the Medical Advisory Board, failing to pay traffic tickets, fines or surcharges and not paying child support.

Having your Texas driver’s license suspended is a serious matter and it is essential to adhere to State law in the event that your license is suspended. If you believe your license may be suspended due to one of the reasons listed above it is prudent to speak with a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer. Depending on the reasons for your license suspension, you may be eligible for an renew your license or identification card that will allow you to drive to and from work and other necessary appointments during the suspension period.

Convictions, license suspensions, and revocations will show up on your 3-year and 5-year driving records. You may be able to dismiss traffic tickets and remove points from your driving record by completing an online defensive driving course. Because your driving record can affect your auto insurance rates and even your employment, it’s crucial that you make sure your information is accurate.

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:

• 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 either by phone: (512) 424-2600 (English). (512) 424-7181 (Spanish) or by e-mail: Use the e-mail formto e-mail the TX DPS.

You may be eligible for a temporary occupational license, if you need to drive for work, school or carrying out necessary household functions. You cannot request a restricted license if your license was suspended for medical reasons, for failing to pay child support or if 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:

• 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:
  • Your certified occupational license petition and court order.
  • A Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR22), from your insurance company.
  • Any required suspension documents.
  • Your drivers license reinstatement fees. (See “Reinstate Your TX Driver’s License” above.)
  • Your $10 occupational license fee.

Submit the above in person at a TX DPS office or mail them to:

Department of Public Safety

Enforcement & 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:

• An alcohol or drug-related offense: You must wait 90 days.
• An intoxication conviction: You must wait 180 days.
• 2 administrative license revocations or more on your driving record: You must wait 1 year.

When your driving privileges are suspended you must complete your suspension period, complete your requirements, and pay your fees before you can fully reinstate your driver’s 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 your driver license number, birth date, the last 4 digits of your Social Security number, and payment for the reinstatement fee. 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.
• 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 either by fax: (512) 424-2848 or by e-mail (documents must be PDF files) to [email protected], or by mail:

Department of Public Safety

Enforcement and Compliance Service

P.O. Box 4087

Austin, TX 78773-0320

In person at: Austin – 108 Denson Drive; Houston – 12220 S. Gessner Drive; Universal City – 1633 Pat Booker Rd, or Garland – 350 West IH 30.

Your Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22) must be maintained for 2 years.

Below are 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 be approved by the MAB, submit your medical information and pass a driving test.
• DWI/DUI Suspensions: If your driver’s license was suspended for a DWI, you may need to complete a 12-hour Alcohol Education Program within 180 days of your conviction and 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 15-hour 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:
• 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.
• 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: Phone: (512) 424-2600 (English). (512) 424-7181 (Spanish). E-mail: Use the e-mail form to contact the TX DPS through its website.

CDL’s are suspended more easily than standard licenses. This is because commercial drivers are held to very high standards. The duration of your CDL suspension and reinstatement requirements will vary depending on the nature of your offense. Your Texas commercial drivers license (CDL) can be suspended whether you violate traffic laws or commit crimes in Texas or out of state. Additionally, your CDL may be disqualified for violations committed in both commercial and non-commercial vehicles. Depending on your offense, you may face both state and federal suspensions and charges, which are controlled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Your Texas CDL will be disqualified for:

• At least 1 year, on your 1st offense for an alcohol-related offense, leaving the scene of an accident or being involved in a felony.
• At least 3 years for your 1st offense (if your commercial vehicle contains hazardous materials).
• On your 2nd offense: Your CDL will be disqualified permanently.
• 60 days: For 2 serious traffic offenses within 3 years.
• 120 days: For 3 serious traffic offenses within 3 years.
• Life: If you use your commercial vehicle in a felony.
• License disqualifications and fines for violating out-of-service orders.
• Suspensions and disqualifications ranging from 60 days to life for violations and convictions including violating railroad-highway grade crossings and excessive speeding and reckless driving.

You are required to notify your employer within 30 days of any traffic conviction. In addition to Texas DPS suspensions you may face for DWI and alcohol-related offenses (under the Administrative License Revocation [ALR] program, your CDL may be suspended for 1 year or 3 years), you may also face criminal charges administered by the courts. Your CDL can also be disqualified for traffic violations and offenses committed in a non-commercial vehicle.

For a full list of CDL suspension types, periods, and penalties, visit both the Texas DPS website and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.

Convictions, license suspensions, and revocations will show up on your 3-year and 5-year driving records. You may be able to dismiss traffic tickets and remove points from your driving record by completing an online defensive driving course. Because your driving record can affect your auto insurance rates and even your employment, it’s crucial that you make sure your information is accurate.

You may be eligible to obtain a restricted driver’s license in Texas to use while your CDL is suspended. The restricted license will only allow you to drive a non-commercial vehicle to authorized locations.

Restricted occupational licenses are usually valid for up to 1 year and can be issued for a maximum of 2 years, if granted by the court. To request a restricted Texas occupational license:

• Visit the county court where you received your suspension and file a petition.
• Obtain a signed court order, which can be used as a 30-day temporary restricted license.
• Provide the Texas DPS with:
  • Your certified occupational license petition/court order.
  • An SR22 from your insurance company.
  • Any required suspension documents.
  • Your driver’s license reinstatement fees.
  • Your $10 occupational license fee.

Submit the required documents to a TX DPS office in person, 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 you must comply with a mandatory waiting period of 90 days: For an alcohol or drug offense suspension; 180 days: For an intoxication conviction; 1 year: If you have 2 administrative license revocations (ALR) or more on your driving record.

The requirements to reinstate your Texas CDL will vary depending on the reason for your suspension. You can pay your reinstatement fees and see what documents you must submit on the Texas DPS website. You’ll need to enter your driver license number, birth date and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number (SSN). The TX DPS accepts online payment by VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express credit cards. Any court requirements and fees must be submitted to the court. If you’ve recently made a payment with the TX DPS online service, you must wait 72 hours before you can make another payment online.

If you need to submit any documents, write your name, date of birth, and driver license number on all of them. Include a copy of your suspension notice, and send your documents by e-mail (documents must be PDF files): [email protected], or by fax: (512) 424-2848 or by mail to Department of Public Safety 
Enforcement and Compliance Service, 
P.O. Box 4087, 
Austin, TX 78773-0320

If you cannot pay your fees online, you can mail your payment and any other required documents to:

Department of Public Safety, Central Cash Receiving, P.O. Box 15999, Austin, TX 78761-5999

Reinstatement documents/fees can take up to 14 days to process. If 2 serious traffic offenses or more caused your CDL suspension, your CDL will be reinstated automatically after your disqualification period.

FEES TO REINSTATE YOUR TEXAS CDL

The fees to reinstate your commercial driver’s license may vary depending on the reason for your suspension. You can check what fees you owe on the Texas DPS website. You may also need to pay additional court fines and fees, depending on your offense.

Accepted Payment Methods: If you are using the Texas DPS online system, payment must be made by one of the following credit cards: VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.

If sending payment by mail to the TX DPS, payment must be made by check. DO NOT send cash. If making payment in person, contact your local TX DPS office for accepted payment methods.