Here’s what most people don’t realize: a Texas DWI can trigger an administrative ALR suspension and a separate criminal conviction suspension, each with different lengths and requirements. That means one arrest can leave you with two suspensions and two checklists and the giant, looming question “How can I reinstate my Texas driver’s license after a DWI suspension?”
Here’s a quick look at how to get your license back after a DWI in Texas.
After an ALR suspension:
- Apply for an occupational license if you need to drive in the meantime
- Serve the full suspension period
- Pay your reinstatement fee to DPS
- Confirm your status on the DPS License Eligibility website
After a criminal conviction:
- Serve the court-imposed suspension period
- Complete the required DWI education program
- Install an ignition interlock device if the court orders one
- File an SR-22 and keep it active for two years
- Pay your reinstatement fee to DPS
Sounds simple on paper? It’s not. Requirements change based on your record, your test results, and the judge handling your case. And if your arrest was recent, you may still have time to fight the suspension before it ever starts. You only get 15 days from the date you received your notice of suspension to request an ALR hearing, so don’t wait.
Mark Thiessen is a board-certified DWI defense attorney with 160+ Not Guilty verdicts and thousands of dismissals. He knows how Texas DPS and prosecutors play this game, and he knows how to win it. Call Thiessen Law Firm today at (713) 864-9000 to protect your license and your future.
| ALR suspension | DWI conviction suspension | |
| What triggers it | Failing or refusing a breath or blood test | Being convicted of DWI in criminal court |
| Who handles it | DPS, through a civil administrative process | A criminal court judge |
| When it starts | 40 days after you receive notice, unless you request a hearing | After your conviction |
| How long it lasts | 90 days to 2 years, depending on your test result and record | 90 days to 2 years, depending on your record |
| Reinstatement fee | $125 | $100 |
| SR-22 required | Required if applying for an occupational license | May be required following conviction; also required to obtain an occupational license |
| DWI education program | Not required | Required if you’re placed on probation |
| Ignition interlock | Required if obtaining an occupational license | May be ordered by the judge; also required for an occupational license |
| Occupational license available | Yes | Yes |
| How to fight it | Request an ALR hearing within 15 days | Fight the criminal charge; an acquittal also clears the ALR suspension |
How to get your license back after an ALR suspension
An ALR suspension is the state’s administrative punishment for failing or refusing a breath or blood test. It’s a civil process that runs separately from your criminal case, which means DPS can take your license before you ever see a courtroom. Unless you request a hearing within 15 days of receiving your notice, the suspension kicks in on the 40th day.
To get your license back after an ALR suspension, you need to serve the full suspension period, pay a $125 reinstatement fee, and confirm DPS has cleared you to drive. If you can’t wait that long, you can petition a court for an occupational license and keep driving in the meantime.
Here’s everything you need to do to get your license back after an ALR suspension:
Apply for an occupational license if you need to drive in the meantime
An occupational license lets you legally drive to work, school, and essential household duties while your regular license is suspended. You get one by filing a petition in court, not by walking into a DPS office.
To qualify, you’ll typically need:
- Proof of insurance: an SR-22 certificate from your insurance company
- Your driving record: a copy of your record from DPS
- An essential need: a clear reason you need to drive, such as getting to your job
How soon you can drive depends on your history:
- No prior suspensions in the last five years: no waiting period
- A prior ALR suspension in the last five years: 90-day waiting period
- A prior DWI conviction in the last five years: 180-day waiting period
The judge will limit when, where, and why you can drive. If you have two or more DWI convictions, you’ll also have to install an ignition interlock device. Once the judge signs the order, you still need to submit it to DPS to get the license itself. One mistake on the petition can get it delayed or denied. That’s why having the best DWI lawyer in Houston handle the paperwork can be the difference between driving next week and riding the bus for months.
Serve the full suspension period
There’s no shortcut here. You have to wait out the entire suspension before DPS will give you your driving privileges back. How long you wait depends on what happened at the stop and your record.
For drivers 21 and older, ALR suspensions last:
- Failed test, first offense: 90 days
- Failed test, prior offense: one year
- Refused test, first offense: 180 days
- Refused test, prior offense: two years
Here’s the catch. Your suspension doesn’t end on its own, and DPS won’t mail your license back when the clock runs out. If you drive before you’re officially reinstated, you can be charged with driving while license invalid. That’s a brand new criminal charge stacked on top of your DWI.
If you’re confused about a revoked license vs. a suspended license, here’s the short version. A suspension is temporary and comes with an end date. A revocation cancels your license, and you’ll usually have to reapply once you’re eligible.
Of course, the best suspension is the one that never happens. Learn how to avoid a suspended license in Texas, or read more about fighting a license suspension in Texas through an ALR hearing.
Pay your reinstatement fee to DPS
Once your suspension period ends, you must pay a $125 reinstatement fee before DPS will restore your license. You can pay online through the DPS License Eligibility system or by mail. Mailed payments can take up to 21 business days to process, so paying online is the faster route.
Keep in mind that every enforcement action carries its own fee. If you get hit with an ALR suspension and a conviction suspension from the same arrest, you’ll pay two separate reinstatement fees.
There’s some good news, though. If you’re acquitted in your criminal case, DPS removes the ALR suspension from your record. If you already paid the reinstatement fee, it gets refunded.
Confirm your status on the DPS License Eligibility website
Before you get behind the wheel, verify that you’re actually cleared to drive. The Texas DPS License Eligibility system lets you check driver license eligibility online, see any outstanding requirements, and pay fees you still owe.
To run a DPS suspended license check, you’ll need:
- Your driver license number
- Your date of birth
- The last four digits of your Social Security number
Once every requirement is processed and your suspension has ended, your status should change to “eligible.” If your physical license expired while it was suspended, you’ll need to renew it before you can legally drive. Don’t assume you’re good to go. Check first.
How to get your license back after a DWI conviction in Texas
To get your license back after a DWI conviction in Texas, you must serve the court-imposed suspension, complete a state-approved DWI education program, file an SR-22, install an ignition interlock device if ordered, and pay a $100 reinstatement fee to DPS. These requirements are separate from any ALR suspension, so you may have to clear both.
The conviction track is where getting a license back after a DWI gets more complicated. Now you’re dealing with a judge, probation conditions, and a longer list of requirements. Miss one and your suspension can drag on far longer than it should.
Here’s what you need to know:
Serve the court-imposed suspension period
A DWI conviction triggers a separate license suspension that can last up to two years. The length depends on your record:
- First DWI offense: 90 days to one year
- Second DWI offense: 180 days to two years
- Third or subsequent DWI offense: 180 days to two years
You may still qualify for an occupational license during this suspension, although prior convictions can mean a longer waiting period. In some cases, a judge may let you keep driving with an ignition interlock device instead of serving a suspension. That’s a big deal for anyone who can’t afford to lose their job, and it’s something your lawyer should push for.
Complete the required DWI education program
If you’re convicted of DWI and placed on probation, Texas requires you to complete a state-certified alcohol education program. First-time offenders take a 12-hour course. Repeat offenders face a 32-hour program.
You must submit proof that you finished the program to DPS within 180 days of your conviction. Miss that deadline and DPS will revoke your license. You’ll then owe another reinstatement fee on top of everything else, and your license stays revoked until you finish the course.
Install an ignition interlock device if the court orders one
An ignition interlock device is a breath-testing unit wired into your vehicle. You blow into it before the engine will start, and it may ask for more samples while you drive.
Courts commonly order interlocks in situations like these:
- Repeat DWI offenses: often required as a condition of bond or probation
- High BAC cases: frequently ordered when your test results were elevated
- Occupational licenses: required if you have two or more DWI convictions
You pay for the installation, the monthly monitoring, and the removal. Skipping a calibration, tampering with the device, or driving a car without one can land you back in front of the judge. Follow the rules to the letter.
File an SR-22 and keep it active for two years
An SR-22 is a certificate your insurance company files with DPS to prove you carry the state’s required liability coverage. After a DWI conviction, you must keep it active for two years from the date of your conviction.
Not every insurer offers SR-22 coverage, so you may need to shop around. If you don’t own a car, you can buy a non-owner SR-22 policy.
Here’s the part that trips people up. If your coverage lapses for any reason during those two years, your insurer notifies DPS and your license gets suspended again. You’ll need a new SR-22 and another $100 reinstatement fee to fix it. Set up autopay and never let it lapse.
Pay your reinstatement fee to DPS
The reinstatement fee after a DWI conviction suspension is $100. If you also have an ALR suspension from the same arrest, you’ll owe that $125 fee separately. You can pay both through the DPS License Eligibility system.
Texas repealed the Driver Responsibility Program in 2019, so you no longer owe yearly surcharges. In their place, a DWI conviction now carries a one-time state fine of $3,000, or $6,000 if your BAC was 0.15 or higher, on top of any court fines.
Once your fees are paid and every requirement is processed, check your eligibility status one more time before you drive.
How long does it take to get your license back after a DWI in Texas?
Getting your license back after a DWI in Texas typically takes 90 days to two years. The timeline depends on whether you failed or refused a test, whether you’re convicted, and whether you have prior offenses.
Here’s how it usually plays out:
- Day 15: your deadline to request an ALR hearing
- Day 40: your ALR suspension begins if you didn’t request a hearing
- End of your suspension: you become eligible to pay your fee and reinstate
If you’re facing both suspensions, the court will often credit your ALR time toward your conviction suspension. That credit doesn’t apply if you have a prior DWI conviction. Need to drive sooner? First-time offenders can often get an occupational license with no waiting period.
How much does it cost to get your license back after a DWI?
DPS charges $125 to reinstate after an ALR suspension and $100 after a DWI conviction suspension. If you have both, that’s $225 in fees alone. Add insurance, classes, and equipment, and the total can climb into the thousands.
Expect costs like these:
- SR-22 insurance: roughly 64% higher premiums for at least two years
- Ignition interlock device: about $50 to $150 to install, plus $90 to $102 per month, if ordered
- DWI education program: about $70 to $105 for the 12-hour course depending on your county
- Occupational license: court filing fees, if you need to drive during your suspension
Insurance is the biggest hit, and it lasts the longest. Let your SR-22 lapse and you’ll owe another $100 reinstatement fee on top of it.
FAQs
Is your license suspended immediately after a DWI in Texas?
No, your suspension doesn’t start the moment you’re arrested. The officer usually takes your license and gives you a notice of suspension that works as a temporary driving permit for 40 days. If you request an ALR hearing within 15 days, your suspension is put on hold until the hearing is decided, even if that takes longer than 40 days.
Arrested for DWI in Texas? Read more about what happens after being arrested for a DWI, then check out our guides on what to do after a DWI arrest and what NOT to do after a DWI arrest.
Can I get my license back early after a DWI in Texas?
There’s no early release from a suspension once it starts, but you have options. You can petition for an occupational license to drive during your suspension, and if you’re acquitted of the DWI, DPS will cancel your ALR suspension and refund your reinstatement fee. In some conviction cases, a judge can also let you keep driving with an ignition interlock device instead of serving a suspension.
Do ALR and conviction suspensions run at the same time?
They’re separate suspensions, but they often overlap in practice. Texas law generally requires the court to credit the time you served on your ALR suspension toward your conviction suspension. That credit doesn’t apply if you have a prior DWI conviction, so repeat offenders may have to serve both suspensions in full.
What happens if I drive on a suspended license in Texas?
You can be charged with driving while license invalid, a brand new criminal charge on top of your DWI. If your license was suspended because of a DWI, that charge jumps from a Class C to a Class B misdemeanor, which carries possible jail time. A conviction also triggers another suspension, another SR-22 requirement, and another reinstatement fee.
Can I get a Texas license back if I got a DWI in another state?
Yes, but the other state’s DWI will follow you home. Texas belongs to the Driver License Compact, which means DPS can suspend your Texas license for an out-of-state DWI as if it happened here. Texas also won’t reinstate or issue your license until you’ve cleared your status with the state where you were arrested.
What happens to my CDL after a DWI?
A DWI with a CDL can cost you your commercial driving privileges even if you were driving your personal car. A first offense typically disqualifies your CDL for one year, or three years if you were hauling hazardous materials. A second offense can lead to a lifetime disqualification, and an ALR suspension can trigger a CDL disqualification on its own.
Does a DWI suspension work differently if I’m under 21?
Yes, and the rules are stricter. Texas has zero tolerance for drivers under 21, so any detectable amount of alcohol can trigger a 60-day ALR suspension for a first offense, or 180 days if you refused testing. Minors may also be ordered to take an alcohol education class, and skipping it adds another 180-day suspension.
Fighting a DWI license suspension in Texas? Thiessen Law Firm can help.
Now you have the roadmap for how to get your license back after a DWI in Texas. The hard part is following it without a single misstep. A lapsed SR-22, a missed education deadline, or one drive before you’re officially reinstated can reset the clock and stack new penalties on top of the old ones.
The good news is that you don’t have to navigate DPS paperwork and court orders on your own. The right defense team can file your occupational license petition, fight your suspension, and attack the DWI charge itself. Remember, an acquittal doesn’t just protect your record. It wipes out your ALR suspension and gets your reinstatement fee refunded.
At Thiessen Law Firm, we don’t just push paper. Our team is led by an ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist who understands the science behind breath and blood tests better than the people who run them. That’s how we find the holes in the state’s case that other lawyers miss.
Call Thiessen Law Firm today at (713) 864-9000 or contact us online to start fighting for your license.
More Helpful Articles by Thiessen Law Firm:
- What Happens if You Miss Jury Duty in Texas?
- Can You Go to Jail for Fighting in Texas?
- Can You Get a CDL with a DWI?
- The Consequences of CDL DWI in Texas
- What Constitutes Probable Cause in Texas?
