Occupational Drivers' License

If you have not requested an ALR hearing, your driver’s license will be suspended 40 days after the notice of suspension (usually arrest). If you properly requested an ALR hearing, your license will not be suspended unless and until the Administrative Law Judge signs the order of suspension. If your license is suspended, you may apply for an occupational license in the county or district court of 1) the county of your residence or 2) the county of arrest if you qualify. The statutes below outline the general requirements for occupational licenses.

Basically, you will have to show an essential need for the license (work/health), which can only authorize you to drive up to twelve hours a day on six days of the week. Also, you will have to get a special kind of insurance (SR-22) that may be more expensive than your regular insurance. If you have insurance through USAA, you do not even want them to know about your suspension or they may cancel your coverage. Make sure you are on good terms with your provider before requesting SR-22 through them, or you probably want to shop somewhere else. Geico seems to have reasonable SR-22 policies.

Finally, you must pay filing fees for the petition and fees to the DPS for issuance of the occupational license. This could be a few hundred dollars. If the judge issues you an occupational license, the judge’s order serves as your license for 30 days until you receive your license from DPS in the mail. You must keep the order or occupational license and SR-22 proof with you at all times to present to officers on demand, and the judge may require that you keep a travel log to present to officers if requested.