How To Obtain An Occupational Driver License In Texas

Last Updated on June 20, 2025 by Beltz Law Group

Occupational Driver License Lawyer in North Texas: Understanding the Key Requirements

Driver’s license suspension issues have risen exponentially across Texas over the last decade, and our law practice has seen a steady increase in requests for Occupational Driver’s Licenses (ODLs) in North Texas. This underscores the critical importance of understanding the precise steps and requirements necessary to obtain an ODL in Texas. If you miss even one crucial step, your request for an ODL could be denied, leaving you without legal driving privileges.

After reading this article, if you would like to discuss your specific case with our Dallas-Fort Worth area occupational driver’s license lawyers, feel free to contact our office at 214-321-4105.

Understanding the Essential Requirements to Obtain an Occupational License

Even if you are eligible to get an Occupational Driver’s License based on the reason for your suspension, there are specific prerequisites that must be met before or during the process of filing your petition. If these issues are not addressed, the judge will likely deny your request.

While the specific requirements can vary slightly depending on your unique situation and the court’s local rules, these are the most common and vital components:

1. Clear All Reinstatement Fees with DPS: Any time your standard driver’s license is suspended, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) automatically applies various reinstatement fees to your license number. You must pay all outstanding reinstatement fees directly to DPS before they will issue your Occupational Driver’s License.

   • How to Check and Pay: You can perform a driver’s license eligibility check on the official Texas DPS website. You’ll need your driver’s license number, date of birth, and the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number. This portal will show you any fees owed and provide instructions for payment.
2. 

   Occupational Driver License Attorney

   Obtain SR-22 Financial Responsibility Insurance: SR-22 insurance is mandatory for almost all Occupational Driver’s Licenses in Texas. It is not a separate insurance policy, but rather an endorsement or certificate attached to a regular auto liability insurance policy. It serves as proof to the state that you meet the minimum liability coverage requirements and that your insurance company will notify DPS if your coverage lapses.

   • “High-Risk” Designation: Because SR-22s are typically required for drivers with suspended licenses, the associated premiums are usually higher to account for the increased risk.
   • First Step: We often advise clients to begin obtaining quotes for SR-22 insurance as one of their very first steps, even before consulting with an attorney. You want to secure the policy and have the SR-22 certificate in hand to present to the court. If you don’t own a vehicle, you can often obtain a “non-owner” SR-22 policy.
   • Pay the Occupational Driver’s License Filing Fee: While often minimal, there is a court filing fee associated with petitioning for an ODL. This fee is paid to the court where your petition is filed and is separate from any DPS reinstatement fees or the ODL issuance fee itself. This is a frequently forgotten requirement by those attempting to obtain an ODL without legal guidance.

These three main issues are the most common problems our occupational driver’s license attorneys see missed by those attempting to get their license back.

Additional Key Requirements for an ODL Petition

Beyond the core three requirements, a comprehensive and successful ODL petition will also address several other crucial elements:

• Determine the Exact Reason for Your Driver’s License Suspension: Before seeking an ODL, it is vital to know precisely why your license is suspended.

  • Driver’s License Eligibility Site: Using the Texas DPS Driver License Eligibility Site is the quickest way to confirm your current license status and the specific reasons for any ineligibility or suspension.
  • Official Driving Record: Most courts will require an official Certified Abstract Driving Record (Type 2A or AR) from DPS as part of your ODL petition. This record provides a detailed history of your driving offenses and suspension actions. Obtaining this record ensures you have all the necessary information and is typically a requirement for the judge anyway. Our firm typically obtains both for our clients.
  • Strategic Decisions: Understanding the exact suspension reason allows us to determine if an ODL is the most appropriate solution, or if there’s an alternative, quicker path to full reinstatement (e.g., simply paying an OMNIBASE fee).

• Establish “Essential Need”: You must convince the court that you have an “essential need” to drive. This means proving that you need to operate a vehicle for:

  • Work or job-related duties.
  • School or educational activities.
  • Performance of essential household duties (e.g., medical appointments, grocery shopping, transporting dependents). Your attorney will help you gather evidence such as letters from employers, school enrollment verification, or a sworn statement detailing your household responsibilities.
• Determine Appropriate Drive Times: An Occupational Driver’s License is a limited-use license. Your driving is restricted to specific hours of the day and days of the week.
  • Statutory Limits: By law, an ODL generally limits you to driving for no more than four hours in any 24-hour period. However, on a showing of “absolute necessity,” the court can allow you to drive for up to 12 hours in a 24-hour period.
  • Tailored Schedules: Most judges will tailor the driving schedule to your work and/or school commitments. It’s important to provide your attorney with a detailed schedule of your needs.
  • Consequences of Violation: Driving outside of your permitted hours, days, or for unapproved purposes can lead to severe penalties, including a new criminal charge (typically a Class B Misdemeanor for Driving While License Invalid) and the immediate revocation of your ODL.
• Consider Geographic Restrictions: While not always imposed, a judge may restrict your driving to specific counties in Texas, usually those where you reside, work, or attend school. For example, if you live in Dallas County but work in Tarrant County, the order might limit your driving to those counties. It’s crucial to discuss all your potential driving locations with your attorney to request the broadest terms available.
• Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Requirements (If Applicable): If your license suspension is due to certain alcohol or drug-related offenses, the court may require you to install and maintain an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) on your vehicle as a condition of your ODL.

Hire An Occupational Driver License Attorney

The process of obtaining an Occupational Driver’s License in Texas involves navigating state laws, court procedures, and DPS regulations. These issues, if not handled correctly, can lead to significant delays, denials, and prolonged periods without legal driving privileges.

Our experienced occupational driver’s license attorneys can help by:

• Ensuring all legal requirements and documentation are met.
• Drafting and filing the petition and proposed order with the appropriate court.
• Representing you at the court hearing.
• Helping you secure the broadest possible driving privileges within legal limits.
• Guiding you through the final steps of submitting the court order to DPS and obtaining your ODL.

Your driving privileges are too important to risk. While legal assistance has a cost, it is an investment that ensures the process is done correctly, protects you from further penalties, and helps you regain your essential mobility. If you would like to talk with our occupational driver’s license lawyers about your suspended license, call us at 214-321-4105 today.