An Occupational Driver’s License: How to Get an ODL and Why

Once your ALR hearing has been conducted and if the decision from the Judge at the State Office of Administrative Hearings results in an order for DPS to suspend your driving privileges, you may be eligible to petition for an occupational driver’s license (ODL). This would give you driving privileges, during the suspension period, with some restrictions. Examples of the restrictions are that you may not drive more than 12 hours in any 24-hour period, you may only drive to and from work and in the performance of your job or to and from school, and for essential needs such as trips to the grocery store, medical appointments and court ordered appearances. In order for our office to petition for an occupational driver’s license for you, you need to provide the following things to our office:

* A Certified Abstract Driving Record must be obtained in order for our office to petition the Court for your Occupational Driver’s License. Effective October 29, 2009 all driver’s license record requests must be done online or by mail. You will not be able to obtain the record from a DPS office location. You should allow at least 10 days for processing once your request has been made. You may obtain your driving license record at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/dr-1.pdf. Please choose “Other” for “Type of Record Desired” and fill in the spaces to say CERTIFIED ABSTRACT. The cost for this document is $22.00.

* Copy of your SR-22 insurance, which you must obtain from an insurance company (contact your Paralegal if you need suggestions on an insurance company that can provide an SR-22)

* SR-37 Occupational License Info Sheet (San Antonio cases only)

* Signed Verification Form (your Paralegal will provide to you)

* If your employer is aware of the situation and you must drive as part of your employment, you will need to provide a letter from your employer (on their letterhead) stating your position there and the hours you need to drive for employment reasons OR

* A letter from you stating reasons that you are petitioning for an occupational driver’s license (ex: to drive to/from work, to/from school, and state your typical activities or schedule that requires you to drive). Also, please state your preferred driving times (ex: 7am-7pm; not to exceed 12 hours) and the main county/counties you will need to drive in. In addition, please state your employer’s address and your position with that company.

* $230 (Austin filing fee) or $198 (San Antonio filing fee) to this law firm for filing fees.

PLEASE NOTE:

SHOULD YOU CHOOSE NOT TO GET YOUR OCCUPATIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSE AND YOU DRIVE AND ARE PULLED OVER, YOU MAY BE ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH A CLASS B MISDEMEANOR CHARGE OF DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED (DWLS).

If you are looking for an exceptionally trained and educated, DWI / DUI attorney to aggressively represent you on your DWI case or any criminal matter, call 512.278.0935 (Austin) or 210-DWI-DUDE (210.394.3833) (San Antonio) or contact my assistant Ashley by e-mail at ashley@dwidude.com.

If I am in trial, my personal assistant Ashley Nichols can assist you.