Once your license is invalid, driving anyway makes everything worse. This lesson covers driving with no license, why DPS may deny one, the penalties for driving while license invalid (DWLI), the occupational license some drivers can get, and the restriction codes printed on licenses.
Driving without a license
| Conviction | Penalty |
|---|---|
| 1st conviction | Fine up to $200 |
| 2nd conviction in one year | Fine of $25 to $200 |
| No license + no insurance + crash with serious injury/death | Class A: up to $4,000 and/or up to 365 days jail |
DPS may deny a license for:
- Suspension, revocation, cancellation or disqualification in Texas, another state, or a Canadian province
- Physical or mental incapacity that prevents safe driving
- Acquiring motor vehicle fuel without paying
- Certain criminal mischief (such as graffiti)
- Purchasing or furnishing alcohol to a minor
- Delinquent child support
- Failure to pay reinstatement fees
- Failure to appear or failure to pay for certain violations
- Drug offense
Driving while license invalid (DWLI)
| Situation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Driving while suspended, cancelled, denied or revoked | Class C: fine up to $500 |
| Prior DWLI, no insurance, or suspended for DWI | Class B: up to $2,000 and/or 180 days jail |
| No insurance and caused crash with serious injury/death | Class A: up to $4,000 and/or 365 days jail |
Know the rule
DPS may deny renewal of a license if you fail to appear in court for traffic violations or certain other offenses.
Handbook p. 19 ↗Occupational (essential need) license
A restricted license for someone whose license was canceled, suspended, revoked or denied for certain offenses (not medical or child support) who proves to a court an essential need to drive.
Handbook p. 20 ↗Know the rule
Apply to the district, county, or justice of the peace court where you live, or to the court of original jurisdiction. The court order authorizes DPS to issue the license.
Handbook p. 20 ↗Occupational license fee for one year / for two years
Handbook p. 20 ↗The court order alone may be used to drive while the occupational license is processed
Handbook p. 20 ↗Know the rule
After 45 days you must have both the court order and the occupational license. Always carry a certified copy of the court order and let an officer examine it on request. An occupational license can't be used for a commercial motor vehicle.
Handbook p. 20 ↗Common restriction codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | With corrective lenses |
| B | Licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat |
| C | Daytime driving only |
| D | Speed not to exceed 45 mph |
| I | Motorcycle not to exceed 250cc |
| J | Licensed motorcycle operator 21 or over in sight |
| T | Automatic transmission |
| P39 | Ignition interlock required |
Put it into practice
Your license was suspended after a DWI conviction and you drive to the store anyway. Because the suspension came from an intoxication offense, this DWLI is a Class B misdemeanor: up to $2,000 and/or up to 180 days in jail, not just a Class C fine.