Reviewed and updated October 14, 2026 by the SearchSystems.net editorial team. Every fact on this page was read that day from the Texas agency that publishes it, the Department of Public Safety for driver licenses and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for titles and registration, and the official page each fact came from is linked where it appears.
What happens to a Texas driver license after a drunk driving arrest: the administrative license revocation that follows a refused or failed breath or blood test, the 15-day hearing request, the suspension periods for adults, minors and commercial drivers, the suspensions after a DWI conviction and the education courses, the ignition interlock license, and drug offense suspensions. Getting the license back is on the reinstatement guide.
In this guide: The administrative license revocation, Requesting the hearing, The suspension periods, After a DWI conviction, The ignition interlock license, Drug and controlled substance offenses, Questions about DWI and ALR suspensions
The administrative license revocation
DPS's ALR program page describes a civil administrative process, unrelated to the criminal DWI or BWI case, under Transportation Code Chapters 524 and 724. A driver arrested for driving or boating while intoxicated who refuses or fails to complete a blood or breath test, or whose test shows an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more in a non-commercial vehicle or 0.04 or more in a commercial vehicle, has the license suspended or the commercial privilege disqualified. After failed field sobriety tests and the arrest the officer issues a suspension notice, the DIC-25, and the driver has 15 days from service to request a hearing; without one the suspension begins on the 40th day after the notice, usually 40 days after the arrest. When the driver consents to a blood test, the notice is mailed only after DPS receives results above the limit, and the hearing request window is 20 days from the mailing, with the suspension on the 40th day after the notice is presumed received. A $125 reinstatement fee is due before the license is renewed or issued again, on top of any other fees owed. DPS says a refusal recorded before a court-ordered specimen still counts as a refusal.
Requesting the hearing
The request goes through DPS's online hearing request or by mail, email, phone or fax with the name, date of birth, license number and state, address, phone numbers, the date and county of arrest, the agency and officer, and whether the test was failed, refused or not requested (minors only), plus the attorney's details if there is one. DPS asks for up to 60 days to schedule it and mails the date, time and place. The State Office of Administrative Hearings hears every ALR case; an administrative law judge who finds DPS proved its case authorizes the suspension, and one who finds it did not leaves the license alone. An affirmative finding may be appealed; failing to appear produces an affirmative finding and a final judgment. If the hearing is won, any reinstatement fee paid is refunded, and if lost the suspension begins the day after the ruling.
The suspension periods
| Case | First offense | Later offense |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, failed test (0.08 or more) | 90 days | One year |
| Adult, refused the test | 180 days | Two years |
| Minor under 21, any detectable alcohol | 60 days | 120 or 180 days |
| Minor under 21, refused the test | 180 days | Two years |
| Minor, DWI conviction | Up to one year | 18 months |
| CDL or CLP holder, or driving a CMV: refusal, or 0.04 in a CMV, or 0.08 in any vehicle | Disqualification under the CDL rules |
From DPS's ALR FAQ and its DWI FAQ. A minor is suspended for any detectable amount of alcohol under Transportation Code Section 521.342, whatever a judge said about the license. A commercial driver faces the disqualification periods on the CDL rules guide in addition. An ALR suspension and a DWI conviction suspension from the same arrest can both apply, and the Driver Responsibility Program surcharges that once followed were repealed.
After a DWI conviction
DPS's DWI FAQ separates probated and non-probated cases. On probation, failing to complete the sentence brings further court action, and the education requirement is a 12-hour DWI education course for a first offense or a 32-hour repeat offender course, from a program approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation at tdlr.texas.gov, in person or online; a driver who has left Texas takes a comparable course in the new state lasting at least half the Texas hours, and DPS's Enforcement and Compliance Service reviews the certificate. Without probation the court decides whether the course is required. Failing to prove a required course within the statutory time is itself an education program suspension with a $100 reinstatement fee.
The ignition interlock license
DPS's interlock FAQ explains the $10 interlock license, paid online on the License Eligibility page or by check or money order to DPS with CCR Code 0071, mailed to Attn: CCR, PO Box 15999, Austin, TX 78761-5999, with up to 21 business days of processing and every reinstatement fee paid first. It can be paid during a suspension but is mailed only once the suspension clears, and an expired license must be renewed at an office first. Interlock removal documents are not handled at offices; they go by fax to (512) 424-2848, by email to Driver Improvement or by mail to Attn: ECS, PO Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773, with a removal order from every court that required the device. An out-of-state interlock order transfers with the court order and the $10 fee, and once the restriction is removed any office issues a duplicate license. A commercial learner permit cannot carry the restriction; it goes on the driver license.
Drug and controlled substance offenses
A conviction for a drug or controlled substance offense suspends the license for 90 days, under DPS's drug offenses page, and requires a 15-hour class in an authorized Drug Education Program through TDLR, a $100 reinstatement fee on top of any other fees, and an SR-22 maintained for two years from the conviction. A person without a license is denied one for 90 days from the conviction. Failing to finish the class extends the suspension or denial until proof is filed or until two years after it was imposed. An occupational license is available for a non-commercial vehicle during the suspension.
Questions about DWI and ALR suspensions
I was not convicted of DWI. Why is there an ALR suspension?
Because the ALR program is a civil administrative process separate from the criminal case: it applies to anyone arrested for DWI or boating while intoxicated who refuses or fails a breath or blood test. If the court later acquits, the ALR suspension is removed and the $125 reinstatement fee refunded once the court sends the verdict to the ALR section.
How long is an ALR suspension?
For a failed test, 90 days for a first offense and one year for a second; for a refusal, 180 days for a first and two years for a second. For a minor, any detectable alcohol brings 60 days for a first offense and 120 or 180 days for later ones, and a refusal 180 days for a first and two years for a second.
How do I fight it?
Request a hearing within 15 days of being served the DIC-25 notice, online or by mail, email, phone or fax with the arrest details; the State Office of Administrative Hearings schedules it within about 60 days. Without a request the suspension starts on the 40th day after the notice. Missing the hearing produces an affirmative finding and a final judgment.
How long does an ALR stay on my record?
Fifty-five years, according to DPS's ALR FAQ.
What is the DWI education course?
A 12-hour course for a first offense and a 32-hour repeat offender course for later ones, from a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation approved program, online or in person; a driver who moved out of state takes a comparable course at least half as long and DPS reviews the certificate. For a non-probated DWI the court decides whether the course is required.
Can I drive at all during the suspension?
With an occupational driver license for work, school and household duties, which after an ALR or a DWI conviction carries an ignition interlock restriction; the occupational license guide has the steps.
Written by SearchSystems.net from the Texas DPS pages on the administrative license revocation program, the ALR, DWI and interlock FAQs, drug offenses and reinstatement fees, read on October 14, 2026.