DUI & DWI in Texas

NOTICE: Driver Responsibility Program Repealed

On September 1, 2019, the state of Texas ended its Driver Responsibility Program (DRP), under which your license could be suspended for failing to pay additional annual surcharges on top of traffic ticket fees. All licenses suspended under the DRP are now reinstated. For a detailed breakdown of what this means for you, visit the DPS' questions and answers on the repeal.

If your license was suspended under the DRP, check your driving record to ensure it reflects your license reinstatement.

Texas DWI Defined

In Texas, driving while intoxicated (DWI) means drunk driving, and the state uses your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to determine whether you're too intoxicated to operate a motor vehicle.

Below are the state's BAC limits:

  • 21 years old or older: 0.08%
  • Commercial drivers: 0.04%
  • Younger than 21 years old: Any detectable amount.

Alcohol can affect you based on the number of drinks you've had, your body weight, and even your gender. 

Additional Drug and Alcohol Crimes

Mostly, DWI crimes are related to your BAC when operating a motor vehicle and certain other circumstances (as you'll see below). However, officers can arrest you for other alcohol-related crimes involving your vehicle.

For example, it's illegal to have an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of your vehicle if you're driving or parked on a public highway (Texas defines the “passenger area" as the area designed for people to sit in while traveling).

A simple open container violation results in a maximum $500 fine and a Class C misdemeanor. However, if you're arrested for DWI and open container, you'll get a Class B misdemeanor and a minimum of 6 days in jail.

For more information on other kinds of DWI laws, check out Title 10, Chapter 49 of the state's penal code.

Understand Your DWI Penalties

TX DWI penalties are based on factors like age, license type, and other circumstances (such as having other passengers in the vehicle, or horrific events like death).

Common DWI penalties you can expect include:

  • Fines and surcharges (also tack on court costs and lawyer fees).
  • License suspension or revocation.
  • Community service.
  • Imprisonment (even for a 1st offense).
  • DWI education and intervention programs.
  • More expensive car insurance, depending on your provider.

DWI Penalties: Minors

TX DWI laws distinguish anyone younger than 21 years old as a minor.

Minors and DWI

Like many states, Texas has a Zero Tolerance Law for minors and alcohol; this means drivers younger than 21 years old can't operate motor vehicles with any amount of alcohol or drugs in their systems.

For a 1st offense, you face:

  • License suspension not to exceed 1 year.
  • Up to a $500 fine.
  • An Alcohol Education Program at least 12 hours long (see below).
  • An additional 180 days of license suspension if you don't complete the Alcohol Education program.
  • 90 days of license suspension if your judge gives you community service. This means you'll also have an ignition interlock device (see below).

Expect to also pay fines, court costs, and legal fees, should your parents hire an attorney for you.

Minors and Other Alcohol Offenses

Pretty much any involvement you have with alcohol can affect your driving privileges in Texas―including non-driving alcohol offenses.

Examples of non-driving alcohol offenses include:

  • Purchasing or attempting to purchase alcohol.
  • Lying about your age in an attempt to obtain alcohol.
  • Presenting a falsified document stating that you're 21 years old in an attempt to obtain alcohol.
  • Consuming alcohol.
  • Possessing alcohol.
  • Public intoxication.

Penalties for these offenses are as follows:

  • 1st offense: License suspension for 30 days.
  • 2nd offense: License suspension for 60 days.
  • 3rd offense: License suspension for 180 days.

Based on your situation (and possibly even your age), your judge also might order the Alcohol Education Program and community service.

DWI Penalties: Adults

Just like it does for minors, Texas assigns DWI penalties for drivers 21 years old or older according to the offense number and other situation-specific factors.

Offenses: DWI Alcohol or Drugs

1st Offense

  • Up to a $2,000 fine.
  • Jail time between 3 days and 180 days.
  • License suspension for up to 2 years.
  • DWI intervention or education program (see below).
  • Possible ignition interlock device (see below).

2nd Offense

  • Up to a $4,000 fine.
  • Jail time between 1 month and 1 year.
  • License suspension up to 2 years.
  • DWI intervention or education program (see below).
  • Possible ignition interlock device (see below).

3rd Offense

  • Up to a $10,000 fine.
  • State prison time between 2 years and 10 years.
  • License suspension up to 2 years.
  • DWI intervention or education program (see below).
  • Possible ignition interlock device (see below).

DWI with a Child Passenger

If you're driving while intoxicated with a child younger than 15 years old in your vehicle, you face:

  • Up to a $10,000 fine.
  • Jail time up to 2 years.
  • License suspension for 180 days.

Extreme DWI Crimes

All DWI offenses are serious, but some are extremely grave, such as intoxication assault and intoxication manslaughter.

We've outlined some details about the serious crimes below; please refer to Chapter 10 of the Texas Drivers Handbook for more information specific to your situation.

Intoxication Assault

You can be charged with intoxication assault if, while drunk driving, you cause serious bodily injury to another person.

For these purposes, Texas considers serious bodily injury to be an injury that causes:

  • A significant risk of death.
  • Serious and permanent disfigurement or loss.
  • Damage that impairs function of a body part or organ.

If you're convicted, you'll have a 3rd degree felony.

Intoxication Manslaughter

As the name suggests, intoxication manslaughter involves killing another human being while you're operating a motor vehicle under the influence.

If you're convicted, you'll have a 2nd degree felony.

Commercial Drivers and DWI

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) states that any commercial driver operating a commercial vehicle with a BAC of 0.04% or higher is considered to be driving under the influence.

If you're a CDL holder and you either refuse a chemical test or take one and have a BAC of―

  • 0.04% in your commercial vehicle
  • 0.08% or higher in any vehicle
―your CDL is disqualified for 1 year. If you drive a commercial vehicle placarded for hazardous materials, the penalty is 3 years.

Visit the FMCSA's Disqualification of Drivers for specific information.

Administrative Penalties

In Texas you can face other penalties for driving under the influence or refusing a chemical test which are unrelated and in addition to criminal penalties. These penalties are known as Administrative License Revocation (ALR) and are handled by the Department of Public Safety. These are civil penalties which will result in driver's license suspension for failing or refusing a chemical test. These penalties are in addition to of the outcome of criminal court proceedings.

Failing or Refusing a Chemical Test Penalties

All drivers in Texas are subject to implied consent, which means that if you drive, you've implied your consent to a chemical test if law enforcement suspects you're drunk or otherwise impaired.

If you fail or refuse a chemical test (often a blood or breath test), you will face Administrative License Revocation (ALR), which is a type of license suspension unrelated to your criminal DWI penalties. ALR carries specific penalties for refusing or failing chemical tests.

Chemical test refusals

Adults

  • 1st offense: 180 days.
  • 2nd offense (Refuse or fail test): 2 years.

Minors (Under 21 years old)

  • 1st offense: 180 days.
  • 2nd offense (Refuse or fail test): 2 years.

Chemical test failures

Adults
  • 1st offense: 90 days.
  • 2nd offense (Refuse or fail test): 1 year.

Minors (Under 21 years old)

  • 1st offense: 60 days.
  • 2nd offense (Refuse or fail test): 2 years.

For ALR penalties a 2nd offense can be a previous refusal or failure of a chemical test OR previously suspended for DWI, DWI Assault or Intoxication Manslaughter within the past 10 years.

ALR Procedures

Here's how chemical test refusals or failures and ALR usually play out:

  • You refuse or fail a chemical test.
  • The officer takes your driver's license and issues you a temporary driving permit.
  • You have 15 days to request a hearing, after which any hearing request will be denied.
  • If you don't request a hearing, your license suspension kicks in 40 days after the arrest.
  • You'll eventually pay a $125 fee to get your license back.

The State Office of Administrative Hearings handles the hearings, and you can request one using the state's ALR Hearing Request page. Allow 60 days to receive the date, time, and location of your hearing.

If you're found guilty at your hearing, you can appeal the verdict. Just send a file-stamped, clerk-certified copy of your appeal petition to the address below within 15 days of your suspension:

  • Department of Public Safety
  • Enforcement and Compliance Service
  • P.O. Box 4087
  • Austin, TX 78773-0320

Learn more about the appeals process at the state's Appeal an Administrative Hearing Decision page.

DWI Intervention and Education Programs

Texas provides several alcohol intervention and education programs via the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Your judge will order the one that's right for you. We've outlined some facts below, but you can go online to find a list of approved courses.

DWI Education Program

The TX DWI Education program is designed for first-time offenders who are receiving probation. The program focuses on how alcohol and drugs affect the body, mind, and driving abilities; TX DWI laws; and substance abuse and dependency.

The course is 12 hours long, and drivers must complete it within 180 days of the date probation was granted.

Learn more about enrollment at DWI Education Program.

DWI Intervention Program

The DWI Intervention Program is for repeat offenders―those who've had previous DWI offenses.

As you can imagine, the Intervention Program dives a little deeper, covering topics like lifestyle issues and self-esteem; alcoholism and chemical dependency; and support groups and processes like Al-Anon, 12-Step, and relapse prevention.

The course is 32 hours long, and if you fail to complete it, TX will revoke your license until you do.

Alcohol Education Program for Minors

Generally, the Alcohol Education Program for Minors is for minors who've gotten any DWI or DUI offenses.

The program's curriculum teaches alcohol awareness. Students learn about the relationship between alcohol and drugs and driving; societal issues related to drugs and alcohol; and patterns that lead to or indicate abuse and addiction.

Sometimes, a judge will substitute the program with community service, usually anywhere from 8 hours to 40 hours, but failure to complete the program (or the community service) within 90 days of the conviction leads to 6 months of license suspension.

Find out more about enrolling in Alcohol Education Program for Minors.

Ignition Interlock Device

Your judge will determine whether you have to get an ignition interlock device (IID); if so, the court will send a notice to the TX DPS. You'll also receive a restricted interlock license with the “N" restriction. You will have 30 days to have the device installed before the DPS cancels your license.

Before allowing you to get an IID, the DPS makes sure that:

  • Your current driver's license isn't suspended or revoked.
  • You've paid the necessary fees. These include the $10 fee for the restricted interlock license and the license reinstatement fee (see below).

You must have your IID installed by an approved devices and installation location. Please visit the Regulatory Services Division to find one near you.

SR-22: Car Insurance and Proof of Financial Responsibility

Texas requires DWI offenders to file proof of financial responsibility, often called an SR-22 certificate. SR-22 isn't a form of car insurance, but it does provide the DPS with proof you're carrying the state's minimum liability coverage.

SR-22 must be on file with the DPS for 2 years from the date of your DWI conviction. The state does not accept a regular insurance policy document or card. It must be an SR-22 Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate.

If your SR-22 is cancelled or you allow it to lapse, the DPS will suspend your driving privileges and vehicle registration.

Most auto insurance carriers offer SR-22, but if you need help finding one, the TX DPS recommends visiting the Texas Department of Insurance.

Lower Your Car Insurance Rates

Even after it's all said and done, you might still experience “penalties" in the form of higher car insurance rates. Once your provider takes a look at your driving report and sees the conviction, they'll probably increase your rates once it's time to renew your policy.

However, you can try to get the lowest coverage rates possible when you shop around with other car insurance providers.

HINT: Before you contact any car insurance providers, obtain your driving history so you'll know what you're up against―or what's working in your favor.

When to Hire a DWI Attorney

When it comes to DWI, don't leave it to chance―start looking for an experienced DWI lawyer as soon as you can.

As you compare DWI attorneys, keep these tips in mind:

  • Look for experienced DWI lawyers (those who already have a few successful cases under their belts) who specialize in TX DUI laws.
  • Ask the attorney about their past DWI cases. Did the lawyer help the client get the minimum penalties? Were any penalties waived? What about obtaining limited driving privileges? Also, how does the lawyer think you'll fare, given your specific circumstances?

Applying for an Occupational License

You already know you can get limited driving privileges once you satisfy your DWI penalties like license suspension and fees, but what if you need to drive while your license is still suspended?

That's where an occupational license comes in handy.

Sometimes called a restricted license or hardship license, an occupational license allows you to drive to and from certain locations while your license is suspended. Usually, these places include school, work, and trips related to essential household duties.

To obtain an occupational license:

  • Make your request to the county or district court handling your case.
  • Obtain a court order and bring it―along with other items such as the SR-22 form―to the DPS. (You can use this court order as a driver's license for 45 days after the judge signs it.)
  • Pay the $10 fee for your occupational driver license.
  • Pay your reinstatement fees. See below.

Unfortunately, occupational licenses aren't available for CDL holders.

Please read the state's instructions on obtaining an occupational license before you head to the courthouse.

Reinstate Your TX Driver's License

Reinstating your TX driver's license after a DWI conviction is fairly straightforward, though by no means quick and easy.

Basically, you must:

  • Complete your license suspension or revocation.
  • Pay your DWI fines and other court costs.
  • Complete your jail sentence or community service hours.
  • Complete the DWI Education Program, DWI Intervention Program, or Alcohol Education Program for Minors.
  • Pay all applicable license reinstatement and maintenance fees (see below).

License Reinstatement Fees and Other Surcharges

You will face a variety of fees and surcharges related to license reinstatement and maintenance, and some of these depend on your age and circumstances.

For example, everyone must pay a $125 fee for license reinstatement after an Administrative License Revocation (ALR), which can happen whenever you fail or refuse to submit to a chemical test.

Want to pay online? By providing your driver's license number, date of birth, and Social Security number, you can use the state's Check Driving Eligibility & Check Reinstatement Fees online service.

For any other questions, please contact your DPS.

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