ALR Hearings: Your 15-Day Window to Save Your Texas Driver’s License
Criminal Defense North Texas
If you’ve been arrested for DWI in North Texas, you are actually facing two separate battles: a criminal case in court and an administrative case with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). While the criminal case can take months or even years, the clock on your driver’s license starts ticking the moment you are handcuffed.
At Beltz Law Group, we emphasize that the first 15 days after a DWI arrest are the most critical for your driving privileges. Here is what you need to know about the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) process.
The 15-Day Rule: Don’t Miss the Deadline
When you are arrested for DWI and either fail a breath/blood test (0.08 BAC or higher) or refuse to provide a specimen, the officer will confiscate your plastic license and give you a piece of paper known as a Notice of Suspension (DIC-25).
-
The Temporary Permit: This paper serves as your temporary license for 40 days.
-
The 15-Day Deadline: You have exactly 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an ALR hearing.
-
The Consequence: If you do not request the hearing within 15 days, your license will be automatically suspended on the 41st day.
Pro Tip: If you consented to a blood test and were released without a notice, your 20-day clock starts only after the DPS receives the lab results and mails a notice to the address on your license.
Why You MUST Request an ALR Hearing
Requesting a hearing does more than just give you a “day in court.” It provides several immediate tactical advantages:
- Automatic Stay: Once you request a hearing, your license suspension is put on “hold.” You can continue to drive legally until the hearing occurs and a judge makes a final ruling.
- Free Discovery: The ALR hearing is often the first time your attorney gets to see the police report and cross-examine the arresting officer under oath.
- The “Default” Win: If your attorney subpoenas the officer and they fail to show up to the hearing, you win by default, and your license is not suspended.
The Occupational Driver’s License (ODL)
DWI Attorney North Texas
If you miss the 15-day deadline or lose your ALR hearing, all is not lost. You may be eligible for an Occupational Driver’s License. This is a special restricted license that allows you to drive to work, school, and to perform “essential household duties.”
To obtain an ODL, you typically need:
- A petition filed in the county justice of the peace or district court.
- An SR-22 insurance certificate from your insurance company.
- A court order signed by a judge.
- Payment of a $125 reinstatement fee to DPS.
Potential Suspension Lengths
| Scenario | 1st Offense | 2nd Offense (within 10 years) |
| Failed BAC Test (0.08+) | 90 Days | 1 Year |
| Refusal to Provide Specimen | 180 Days | 2 Years |
How Beltz Law Group Protects Your Mobility
Managing an ALR hearing requires precise timing and a deep understanding of the Texas Transportation Code. We handle the request for you, subpoena the necessary officers and evidence, and represent you before the Administrative Law Judge. Our goal is simple: keep you on the road so you can keep your job and your life moving forward.
Has it been less than 15 days since your arrest? Call us immediately. Every hour counts when it comes to preserving your right to drive in Texas.
