Getting arrested for DWI in Texas doesn’t just mean facing criminal charges — it also triggers a separate civil process that could cost you your driving privileges. An Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing is a critical but often overlooked part of the DWI process that determines whether you’ll get to keep your driver’s license or have to watch it get suspended by the state.
Here’s how the ALR hearing process works in Texas:
- Request your hearing immediately: You have only 15 days from your arrest to request an ALR hearing, or your license will be automatically suspended.
- Wait for scheduling: Your hearing will typically be scheduled 4-6 weeks after your request.
- Evidence review period: The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will compile evidence and may issue subpoenas for witnesses.
- Your attorney prepares your defense: Your lawyer will review the state’s evidence, identify weaknesses in their case, and issue subpoenas for witnesses who can support your defense.
- The hearing takes place: An administrative law judge will hear testimony and review evidence from both sides.
- The judge makes a decision: The administrative judge will determine whether to suspend or revoke your license based on the evidence presented.
Here’s the harsh reality: if you don’t have an attorney representing you at your ALR hearing, you’re essentially throwing in the towel. Even if you have a court-appointed lawyer handling your criminal DWI case, they won’t represent you in the ALR hearing because it’s a separate civil matter — meaning even if they beat your DWI charges, you’ll still lose your license. Don’t let a lack of proper representation derail your life before you’ve even had your day in court.
Here’s another reality: fumbling the bag on your ALR hearing gets your DWI case off on the wrong foot. While your license suspension can’t be used as evidence against you in your criminal case, winning an ALR hearing can work wonders to get a judge or jury on your side.
If you or a loved one has been arrested for DWI and are facing an ALR hearing, don’t attempt to go through it alone. Call Thiessen Law Firm today at (713) 864-9000 to protect your driving privileges and defend your future.
Step 1. Request your hearing immediately
The clock starts ticking the moment you’re arrested for DWI in Texas, and you have exactly 15 days to file your ALR hearing request — not a day longer. This isn’t a suggestion or a courtesy; it’s a hard deadline that the Texas Department of Public Safety takes seriously. If you miss this window, your license will be automatically suspended, regardless of whether you’re ultimately convicted of the DWI charge. The suspension kicks in 40 days after your arrest, turning your world upside down before you’ve even had a chance to fight the charges.
Making your ALR hearing request is one of the biggest steps in protecting your driving privileges, but it’s also one that many people overlook in the chaos following a DWI arrest. You can request the hearing by phone, mail, or online through the Texas DPS website, but don’t wait until day 14 to figure it out.
The request must include specific information about your arrest, and any mistakes or delays could cost you your license. This is where having an experienced attorney becomes invaluable — they know exactly how to file the request properly and ensure it’s submitted well before the deadline. They also know how to start preparing evidence for the hearing.
Step 2. Wait for scheduling
Once you’ve successfully submitted your ALR hearing request, the waiting game begins. Texas DPS typically schedules these hearings 4–6 weeks after receiving your request, though the exact timing can vary depending on the court’s calendar and the complexity of your case. During this period, you’ll receive official notice of your hearing date, time, and location — information you absolutely cannot afford to ignore or lose track of.
This waiting period isn’t dead time; it’s actually a window for preparation that can make or break your case. While you’re waiting for your hearing date, the state is already building their case against you, gathering evidence, and preparing witnesses.
If you’re serious about keeping your license, you need to work with a qualified attorney who understands the ALR process right away. The more time your lawyer has to prepare, the better your chances of winning an ALR hearing (and your criminal case) become.
Step 3. Evidence review period
During the evidence review phase, Texas DPS compiles all the documentation related to your arrest and may issue subpoenas for key witnesses, including the arresting officer. This evidence typically includes:
- Police reports
- Breath or blood test results
- Video footage from the arrest
- Witness statements.
The state’s goal is to present a clear-cut case that justifies suspending your license, and they’ll use every piece of evidence at their disposal to do it.
What is an administrative license suspension? It’s a civil penalty that’s separate from any criminal charges you might face, and the evidence standards are different too. While criminal cases require proof “beyond a reasonable doubt,” ALR hearings use the lower standard of “preponderance of the evidence” — meaning the state only needs to show it’s more likely than not that you were driving while intoxicated. This makes it easier for the state to win, which is why having all the evidence reviewed by an experienced attorney is so important for identifying weaknesses in their case.
Step 4. Your attorney prepares your defense
This is where the real work begins, and it’s also where you’ll see the biggest difference between representing yourself and having professional legal help. Your attorney will meticulously review every piece of evidence the state plans to use against you, looking for procedural errors, inconsistencies, or violations of your rights that could get evidence thrown out. They’ll examine everything from the legality of the traffic stop to the proper administration of field sobriety tests and chemical testing procedures.
How do you win an ALR hearing in Texas? It starts with a defense strategy tailored to the specific facts of your case. Your attorney may issue their own subpoenas for witnesses who can testify on your behalf, challenge the reliability of testing equipment, or argue that the arresting officer lacked probable cause for the stop.
Whether you’re dealing with a standard DWI or one of the more serious types of DWI in Texas (like repeat offense DWI or intoxication manslaughter), having an attorney who understands the nuances of ALR hearings and DWI law dramatically improves your odds of success.
Step 5. The hearing takes place
What happens at an ALR hearing in Texas? The hearing itself is conducted by an administrative law judge (ALJ) and follows a formal legal process, even though it’s a civil rather than criminal proceeding. The state presents their evidence first, typically calling the arresting officer to testify about the circumstances of your arrest, the field sobriety tests, and any chemical testing that was performed. The hearing may be conducted in person, by telephone, or via video conference, depending on the circumstances and the judge’s preference.
Your attorney will have the opportunity to cross-examine the state’s witnesses, challenge their evidence, and present your defense. This might include questioning the officer’s training, the calibration of testing equipment, or the procedures followed during your arrest.
If you refused chemical testing, this becomes an ALR suspension refusal case, which has its own set of legal standards, and much harsher penalties. The entire process is recorded, and both sides can present evidence and call witnesses just like in a criminal trial.
At Thiessen Law Firm, we win 95% of ALR hearings for our clients and successfully save their licenses.
Step 6. The judge makes a decision
After hearing all the evidence and testimony, the administrative law judge will make a decision about whether to suspend your license. The judge has several options: they can uphold the suspension, reduce the length of the suspension, or dismiss the case entirely if the state failed to meet their burden of proof.
If you win, you keep your license and can continue driving normally. If you lose, the suspension goes into effect, and you’ll need to explore options for obtaining an occupational license to drive to work, school, or other essential activities.
Generally, the following are true for license suspensions:
- 90 days if you failed a blood or breath test
- 180 days if you refused to take the test
- Even longer periods or revocation if you have prior DWI offenses
The reality is that the chances of winning an ALR hearing in Texas without a good DWI lawyer in your corner are slim to none. The system is designed to favor the state, and administrative law judges see these cases all day long. However, with an experienced DWI attorney in Houston or elsewhere in Texas, you have a fighting chance.
Remember, even if your DWI is a felony, winning your ALR hearing means keeping your license regardless of what happens in the criminal case — and that can make all the difference in maintaining your job, supporting your family, and getting your life back on track.
Texas ALR hearing — FAQs
How long do you have to request an ALR hearing in Texas?
You have 15 days from the date of your arrest or the notice of suspension to request an ALR hearing. If you fail to request a hearing within this window, your license will be automatically suspended.
Can I drive while waiting for my ALR hearing?
Yes, you can continue to drive while waiting for your ALR hearing, as long as you have requested the hearing within the 15-day deadline. Your driving privileges remain intact until a decision is made after the hearing.
What happens if the officer doesn’t show up at the ALR hearing?
If the arresting officer fails to appear at the ALR hearing and no valid reason is provided, the administrative judge may dismiss the case, resulting in no suspension of your license.
How much is the ALR reinstatement fee in Texas?
The reinstatement fee for an ALR suspension in Texas is $125, but keep in mind that paying the reinstatement fee is just one step in the process. You must also meet any other requirements imposed by the Texas DPS, like completing a DWI education program, providing proof of insurance (SR-22), and any other conditions relevant to your case.
What is an ALR subpoena in Texas?
An ALR subpoena allows your attorney to require certain witnesses to attend the hearing or to produce documents that may be important to your defense. Subpoenas are often used to ensure the arresting officer appears at the hearing to testify under oath, but your attorney may also issue subpoenas to other witnesses, like medical professionals or third parties who could provide testimony that is beneficial to your case.
Save your license at your ALR hearing with Thiessen Law Firm
If you’re facing a license suspension after a DWI arrest in Texas, an ALR hearing is your opportunity to fight for your right to drive — and your opportunity to start your DWI case off on the right foot. Winning an ALR hearing takes a lot more than just filling out a few forms; it takes strong legal strategies, expert knowledge of Texas DWI laws, and a deep understanding of the administrative hearing process.
At Thiessen Law Firm, we win 95% of our clients’ ALR hearings and save their licenses. We successfully challenge license suspensions and parlay them into wins in our clients’ criminal cases for DWI. If you want to protect your right to drive and give yourself a chance at beating the criminal charge, you’re going to want to give us a call.
Don’t face severe DWI penalties alone. Call Thiessen Law Firm today at (713) 864-9000 or contact us online and secure a winning defense.
More Helpful Articles by Thiessen Law Firm:
- Penalties for Minor DUI in Texas
- Texas Law on Gambling
- Everything You Need to Know About DWI Expungement
- Improper Search and Seizure Explained
- What is an Unlawful Traffic Stop?
