Suspended License in Texas

Determine the Status of Your Driver’s License

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) will notify you via mail if your license is suspended. This agency handles all notices and orders that have to do with suspension actions. Therefore, it’s important to make sure the DPS always has on file your current mailing address.

If you are unsure whether the DPS has suspended your license, check your driving record or consult the agency.

Check Your Driving Record

You can conveniently order a driving record through a third-party vendor and avoid going to the DPS (not all states allow you to do this) or you can order in person at a Driver License Division (DLD) Compliance location.

• Order Driving Record Online

  To order online through our sponsor, have ready your Visa, MasterCard, or American Express and visit our page dedicated to driving records.

• Order Driving Record By Mail
  1. Complete an Application for Copy of Driver Record. If you have questions on filling out any portion of the form, contact Customer Service at (512) 424-2600.
  2. Determine which type of driving record available by mail that you’d like. These are listed at the top of this application. They range from $4 to $10.
  3. Include a check, cashier's check or money order payable to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
  4. Mail the application and fee to the DPS:
     • Driver Records Bureau
     • Texas Department of Public Safety
     • P.O. Box 149246
     • Austin, TX 78714-9246

• NOTE: It should take two to three weeks to receive your record in the mail. If you have not received it, you can mail or fax a copy of the canceled check, cashier's check or money order to the address below. Be sure you copy the front and the back and that you include a brief explanation.

• Texas Department of Public Safety

• Attn: D.R.B./Driver Records

• 5805 North Lamar

• Austin, TX 78752

• Fax: (512) 424-7285

Suspended in All States?

If you have an out-of-state conviction it will appear on your TX driving record because many states stay in communication through two reliable channels.

The National Driver Register (NDR) is a computerized database maintained by many of the state motor vehicle agencies to share info nationwide on drivers with revoked or suspended licenses. The state agencies also report those who have also been convicted of a serious traffic violation. For more info, contact (888) 851-0436.

The second way the states stay connected is through an interstate compact known as the Driver License Compact. Its theme is “One Driver, One License, One Record.” States exchange information with the home states of non-residents who obtain license suspensions and/or traffic violations while driving in another state. Therefore these non-residents’ offenses might be subject to the traffic laws of the their home state.

Penalties for Driving on a Suspended License

Every situation is unique as there are a number of reasons your license could get suspended. To find out the penalties for driving with a suspended license, contact the DPS Driver License Division’s Customer Service Bureau either by phone or Web form. Using the Web form, you’ll need to provide your name, date of birth, driver’s license number, mailing and e-mail addresses and phone number.

• Call in English: (512) 424-2600

• Call in Spanish: (512) 424-7181

A customer service representative can take your call Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. central time.

Contact an Attorney

Getting caught by law enforcement while driving on a suspended license could be bad news. Consider seeking legal advice to play it safe. An experienced attorney could improve your situation.

Obtain a Restricted License

When your license is suspended or revoked (for reasons other than medical issues or delinquent child support) you might be able to apply for an occupational license. It’s a special restricted license that allows you to operate a non-commercial motor vehicle in only three circumstances:

• For work

• For school

• For carrying out essential household duties

You can request one either from the county or district court in the county in which you reside (or to the court of original jurisdiction where you committed the offense that got your license suspended in the first place). You can find more info in the Texas Transportation Code Section 521.242, 37 Texas Administrative Code 15.7.

NOTE: If you are taking part in a special drug court program, you don’t need to file a petition. Your judge can grant you the occupational order.

1. Obtain certified copies of both the petition and the court order that grants the occupational license.
2. Obtain an SR-22 certificate of insurance; no other forms of proof of insurance will suffice. For insurance-related info, consult our Insurance Center. If necessary, you should be able to find a provider that suits your needs.
3. Be ready to pay an occupational license fee for a one-year license (or less). The DPS will issue up to a two-year license (max) as long as the court grants it.
4. Also be ready to pay a reinstatement fee if required for the following suspension programs:
• Safety Responsibility
• Driver Improvement
• Administrative License Revocation (ALR)
5. Visit your nearest DPS office to submit the above paperwork and fees.

Don’t confuse the court order for your occupational license. You’ll have to follow through with the above steps to submit the court order and other required items to the Texas DPS. Only for 30 days from the day the judge signed the court order can you use it as a license until the state agency processes your occupational license.

Reinstate Your License

To reinstate your license, you might have to fulfill special requirements. It’s best to consult an attorney for specifics. Also, be aware that some situations could cause a change in your current insurance policy. Check our Insurance Center if you need to shop online for a lower insurance rate.

Generally, here is what you’ll need to do reinstate your driving privilege:

1. Have ready a check, cashier's check or money order to cover your fees (if applicable) made payable to TX DPS; don’t send cash.
2. Include your full name, date of birth and driver’s license number.
3. If fees are required, mail your reinstatement items and payment to:


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


4. If fees are NOT required, mail your reinstatement items to:
• Texas Department of Public Safety
• Driver Improvement and Compliance Bureau
• P.O. Box 4087
• Austin TX 78773-0001

Alcohol-Related Offenses

If you refused or failed a blood or breath test you could face suspension from driving for 90 days to two years. Before the DPS will reinstate your license, you must pay a reinstatement fee.

Those convicted of a DWI will face a suspension period ordered by the court for no more than two years. If you are younger than 21, your license will be automatically suspended for a year. To reinstate you must:

1. Pay a reinstatement fee.
2. Get and submit proof of insurance (form SR-22) to the DPS.
3. If the convicting court ordered you to complete a repeat offender’s DWI education program, forward the certificate of completion to the DPS before your suspension period expires.

NOTE: The state has removed the loophole that if you're charged with a major driving offense as a minor (such as DWI, you can no longer circumvent the penalties if you turn 21 before your court date.

Drug Offenses

Upon final conviction of a drug offense, your license will be automatically suspended for 180 days.

1. Pay a reinstatement fee.
2. Obtain and submit proof of insurance (form SR-22) to the DPS.
3. Forward to the DPS your certificate of completion for your required drug class.

Traffic Offenses

If you receive four or more violations in 12 months or seven or more in 24 months, it’s possible you’ll license will be suspended. For these habitual traffic violations you’ll have to pay a reinstatement fee.

If you get caught driving on a suspended or invalid license, you’ll have to pay a reinstatement fee and file proof of insurance (form SR-22).

If you violate a driver’s license restriction you’ll have to pay a reinstatement fee.

No insurance

If your insurance has been cancelled or if you receive a second or subsequent ticket for no liability insurance you must pay a reinstatement fee and get proof of insurance (form SR-22) to submit to the DPS.

Delinquent Child Support

You must submit to the DPS an order from the Attorney General's office or a District Court that authorizes reinstatement of your license.

Keep Your Record Clean

Having Too Many Traffic Violations

Habitual offenders with four or more moving violations in 12 months (or seven or more in 24 months) could face license suspension. If you are a provisional driver younger than 18, you could get your license suspended for receiving two (or less than four) moving violation in a period of 12 months.

Failing/Refusing a Blood or Breath Test

If a law enforcement officer arrests you for driving under the influence of alcohol, and then you fail or refuse to take a blood or breath test, your license could be suspended anywhere from 90 days to two years.

Driving on a Suspended or Invalid License

If you drive a car while your license is already suspended, revoked or canceled, you could earn an additional license suspension for the same amount of time as the original suspension.

Failing to Pay Traffic Citations in Another State

The DPS could revoke your driver’s license if you don’t comply with the terms of a traffic citation you got while driving in another state.

Driving While Intoxicated

Following a DWI conviction the court could suspend your license for up to two years. If the conviction takes place before your 21st birthday, the court will automatically suspend your license for one year.

After you are arrested for DWI, there’s also the chance you could receive a double suspension if you also fail or refuse to take the blood or breath test.

Alcohol and Minors

If you get convicted of the following before you turn 21, your license will be suspended. For your first offense as a minor you’ll get a 30-day suspension. For your second, you’ll get 60 days. For your third, you’ll get 180 days. Here’s how:

• Public intoxication

• Misrepresenting your age

• Purchasing or attempting to purchase alcohol

• Consuming alcohol

• Possessing alcohol

Being convicted of any of the above nix your chance for reinstatement.

Getting Convicted of a Drug Offense

Final conviction results in automatic license suspension even if you weren’t driving a car at the time of the offense. The period lasts 180 days, and you’ll also have to complete a drug education program. If you don’t hold a Texas driver’s license when convicted, the state will prohibit you from getting one for 180 days.

Not Being Medically Capable or Medically Approved to Drive

Physicians, family, friends, acquaintances and driver license field personnel can report you to the Medical Advisory Board as having a possible health condition that prevents you form safely operating a car. This could also be reported anonymously or admitted by you.

Your possible medical condition, full name, date of birth and Texas driver license number must be reported.

Failing to Pay Child Support

Delinquent child support means license suspension as ordered by the Attorney General’s Office or a District Court.

Being Involved in an Uninsured Crash

If the DPS receives notice that you were involved in a vehicular crash while uninsured, you are subject to license suspension as long as the crash took place on a public street o highway, and there was injury, death, or property damages of $1,000 or more.

Driving With Canceled insurance

If the DPS receives notice that you are driving on a canceled policy (while you are required to maintain proof of insurance with the DPS), you could face license suspension. Once you are convicted, you’ll have to have proof of insurance (form SR-22) for two years.

Receiving a Second or Subsequent Ticket for Not Having Liability insurance

If you are convicted of a second of offense for no liability coverage, you could face license suspension.

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