Last Updated on June 10, 2025 by Beltz Law Group
Getting Your Texas Driver’s License Back: Clearing Holds and Driving Legally Again
Removing OMNI Hold On Driver License
One of the most common reasons people reach out to The Beltz Law Group is because a “hold” has been placed on their driver’s license due to outstanding traffic tickets. This is a frustrating and increasingly common problem for drivers across Texas.
Understanding how these holds happen and, more importantly, the proper steps to remove them is crucial for getting back on the road legally without suffering further penalties. While the legal jargon can seem daunting, our goal is to simplify the process for you.
What is a Driver’s License Hold and How Does It Happen?
A “driver’s license hold,” often referred to as an “OmniBase hold,” is a block placed on your ability to renew your driver’s license. It happens when you receive a traffic ticket in Texas and fail to address it by the specified appearance date.
Essentially, if you get a traffic ticket and let it go into warrant status (meaning you didn’t appear in court or make arrangements), the court where the ticket is pending can notify the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). DPS then places a hold on your driver’s license renewal until the underlying issues are resolved.
The Law: Texas Transportation Code Section 706.004(a) states that if a political subdivision (like a city or county court) has a contract with DPS, they can deny the renewal of your driver’s license for “failure to appear based on a complaint or citation or failure to pay or satisfy a judgment ordering the payment of a fine and cost.”
The Right Way vs. The Wrong Way to Remove a Hold
How To Remove An Omni Hold In Texas
Many Texans, feeling the pressure to get their license back, make a costly mistake: they simply go to the court and “pay off” all their old tickets. While this might temporarily lift the hold, it can lead to severe and lasting damage to their driving record and, in some cases, even result in a new license suspension.
Why “Just Paying Off” Tickets is Harmful:
- Permanent Convictions: When you pay off a traffic ticket, it is legally considered a “plea of guilty” or “no contest.” This results in a permanent conviction being reported to the DPS.
- New License Suspensions: Even though the old Driver Responsibility Program (surcharge system and points system) was repealed in 2019 (meaning no more surcharges for convictions), accumulating too many convictions can still lead to a driver’s license suspension under the “habitual violator” statute. For example, accumulating four or more moving violations in 12 months or seven or more in 24 months can trigger a suspension.
- Increased Insurance Rates: Insurance companies check your driving record. A history of convictions signals a higher risk, almost certainly leading to significantly higher auto insurance premiums for years.
Imagine paying thousands to clear old tickets, only to find your license re-suspended by DPS shortly after because those “cleared” tickets turned into convictions that met the habitual violator threshold. This is a trap we see far too often.
Remove An Omni Hold On Driver License
The Two Essential Steps to Properly Remove a Hold:
To remove a driver’s license hold in Texas without destroying your driving record, there are two main steps, best handled with the assistance of an experienced attorney:
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Get the Warrants Removed (with an Appearance Bond):
- For each outstanding traffic ticket that led to the hold, there’s likely an active warrant.
- An attorney can file an appearance bond with the court. This legally lifts the warrant, gets your case back on the court’s active docket, and removes the immediate threat of arrest – all without you having to plead guilty or even appear in court initially.
- The Law: Texas Transportation Code Section 706.005(a)(3) explicitly allows for “the posting of bond or the giving of other security to reinstate the charge for which the warrant was issued” as a way to clear the hold.
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Pay the OMNI Fee:
- Once the warrant is lifted, an administrative fee must be paid to the court that placed the hold. Please note: Recent changes in the law have reduced this administrative fee to $10 per case. This fee goes to the State of Texas for processing the hold.
- The Law: Texas Transportation Code Section 706.006(a) states, “A person who fails to appear for a complaint or citation… shall be required to pay an administrative fee of $10 for each complaint or citation reported to the department under this chapter, unless the person is acquitted of the charges for which the person failed to appear.”
Once these two steps are completed, the political subdivision will notify DPS that there is “no cause to continue to deny renewal” of your license.
The Beltz Law Group’s Process for Getting Your License Back
Hiring an attorney to resolve your license hold is the most effective and protective approach. Here’s our streamlined process:
- Initial Consultation & Warrant Removal: We’ll discuss your situation, identify all outstanding warrants causing the hold, and promptly file appearance bonds in the relevant courts to lift those warrants. This immediately removes the threat of arrest and gets your cases on track.
- OMNI Fee Payment: Once warrants are lifted, we’ll facilitate the payment of the required $10 Omni fee per violation.
- License Renewal Clearance: After both warrants are lifted and Omni fees are paid, the courts will notify DPS. You can then proceed to renew your driver’s license.
- Strategic Case Resolution: With your license clear, our attorneys will then go back to court on your behalf to strategically resolve the original traffic tickets. Our goal is always to:
- Seek dismissals where legally possible (e.g., due to procedural errors, insufficient evidence).
- Negotiate for outcomes that DO NOT result in convictions on your driving record (e.g., deferred disposition, defensive driving).
- Arrange payment plans for fines and court costs after a record-protective agreement has been reached.
How to Check for Holds on Your License
If you suspect you have a hold but aren’t sure which tickets are causing it, you can check the Texas Failure to Appear Website by entering your driver’s license number and date of birth. This site will show you which courts have reported a failure to appear that’s resulting in a hold.
Access the Texas Failure to Appear Website here: www.texasfailuretoappear.com
Don’t Risk Your Driving Privileges – Get Legal Help!
Navigating driver’s license holds and old traffic tickets can be complex. Making a mistake by simply paying off tickets can lead to unintended consequences, including a new license suspension. An experienced traffic ticket attorney understands these laws and procedures, helping you avoid permanent damage to your driving record and ensuring you can drive legally again.
If you have a hold on your Texas driver’s license and want to get it removed properly, contact The Beltz Law Group today. We’re here to discuss your case and guide you through every step of the process.
