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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 copy of your complete driver's license record/history (Type 3A-Certified)--you can obtain this from DPS on-line. If you have any previous arrests, convictions, ODL's, license suspensions, etc., you must provide us with a Certified Abstract of Driving Record ("AOR"). Please allow for 14 days to receive your driving record from DPS. ("AOR").
- 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 (Bexar County 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.
- $255 (Austin filing fee) or $198 (San Antonio filing fee) to this law firm for filing fees payable to the clerk of the court of your county. These fees are subject to change and are separate from your legal fees.
- Once the ODL has been signed by the Judge it needs to be filed with DPS before it is valid. A reinstatement fee of $125.00 and ODL filing fee of $10.00 needs to be paid to DPS upon filing your ODL. These fees payable to DPS are separate from your legal 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).
