Last Updated on June 8, 2025 by Beltz Law Group
Driver’s License Holds in Dallas Municipal Court: Understanding OMNI and How to Renew Your Privileges
How To Remove An Omni Hold In Texas
The Beltz Law Group: Swift Resolution for Driver’s License Holds in Dallas, Texas
Is an OMNI hold preventing you from renewing your Texas driver’s license? Understand the law and get back on the road. Contact us today: 214-321-4105
One of the most impactful mechanisms for Texas cities, including Dallas, to address outstanding traffic tickets is the “OMNI hold.” This term refers to the ability of the Dallas Municipal Court to place a block on your ability to renew your Texas driver’s license when it’s expired or nearing expiration. If you have an OMNI hold, you’ll be unable to obtain a new license until it’s cleared. This article outlines the relevant laws pertaining to OMNI holds and explains how The Beltz Law Group can help you quickly resolve them, allowing you to renew your driving privileges.
Understanding OMNI Holds: Chapter 706 of the Texas Transportation Code
The legal foundation for OMNI holds is found in Chapter 706 of the Texas Transportation Code, specifically designed to compel individuals to address outstanding traffic citations or judgments. This chapter grants political subdivisions (like the City of Dallas) the authority to deny driver’s license renewal for certain offenses.
Here are the key provisions of Chapter 706 that dictate how these holds are placed and removed:
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Section 706.004. Denial of Renewal of Driver’s License: This section states that if a city has contracted with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) – which Dallas has – DPS may deny renewal of a person’s driver’s license for:
- Failure to appear based on a complaint or citation (i.e., you missed your court date).
- Failure to pay or satisfy a judgment (i.e., you were found guilty and didn’t pay your fine as ordered).
- This applies to most Class C misdemeanor traffic offenses.
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Section 706.005. Clearance Notice to Department: This crucial section outlines the ways a city must notify DPS to remove the hold. A political subdivision “shall immediately notify the department that there is no cause to continue to deny renewal” when certain conditions are met, such as:
- Perfection of an appeal: If your case is appealed.
- Dismissal of the charge: If the underlying charge is dismissed.
- Posting of bond or other security: If you post a bond to reinstate the charge (a common method an attorney uses to lift an active warrant).
- Payment or discharge of the fine and cost: If the judgment is paid or satisfied.
- Other suitable payment arrangements: If the court agrees to an alternative payment plan.
- Additionally, the hold must be removed if the person was acquitted at trial, or if the report to DPS was sent in error, or destroyed.
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Section 706.006. Payment of Administrative Fee: This section introduces a critical component: an administrative fee of $30 for each complaint or citation reported to DPS under Chapter 706.
- This fee is incurred if you fail to appear or fail to pay a judgment, unless you are acquitted of the charges at trial.
- The fee is typically paid when judgment is entered, the case is dismissed, or bond is posted to reinstate the charge.
- Crucially, DPS can deny renewal of your driver’s license until this $30 administrative fee (per ticket) is paid, even if the underlying ticket is dismissed. This fee is in addition to any other court fines or fees.
Traffic Ticket Defense Attorney
How The Beltz Law Group Quickly Removes OMNI Holds in Dallas
At The Beltz Law Group, we understand the urgency of getting your driver’s license renewed. Our process is designed to quickly resolve OMNI holds and the underlying traffic tickets:
- Immediate Bond Posting: For tickets that have gone into warrant status and are causing the OMNI hold, our first step is to file an attorney bond with Dallas Municipal Court. This immediately lifts any active warrants and, importantly, initiates the process for the OMNI hold to be removed by the court’s notification to DPS.
- Addressing the $30 Administrative Fee: Many individuals, or even some less experienced attorneys, overlook the mandatory $30 administrative fee per reported ticket. This oversight can lead to frustration when clients are turned away from DPS even after their cases appear to be resolved. Our office proactively instructs our clients to pay this fee when we are retained for their Dallas tickets. This ensures that when the OMNI hold is cleared by the court, there are no lingering administrative fees preventing immediate license renewal.
- Defending the Underlying Traffic Ticket: Lifting the OMNI hold and warrant is just the first step. Our primary goal is to resolve the underlying traffic tickets without a conviction on your record. This involves:
- Pleading “Not Guilty” to preserve your rights.
- Negotiating with the Dallas City Prosecutor for options like deferred disposition (which leads to dismissal and keeps the ticket off your record) or outright dismissal based on legal defenses.
- Attending court settings on your behalf to manage the case.
By taking a comprehensive approach – addressing the warrant, the OMNI hold, the administrative fees, and the underlying ticket – The Beltz Law Group ensures you can get your license renewed quickly and protect your driving record from long-term damage.
If you have outstanding traffic tickets in Dallas Municipal Court that are preventing you from renewing your driver’s license, don’t waste time or risk further complications. We encourage you to contact our experienced Dallas traffic ticket attorneys today.
