Driving is a privilege DPS can take away. A suspension lasts a definite period; a revocation ends your privilege indefinitely until requirements are met; a cancellation withdraws a license from someone not qualified. Some actions are automatic on conviction, others follow a hearing.
Reinstatement fees
| Case | Fee |
|---|---|
| Mandatory suspensions and revocations | $100 |
| Certain fraudulent government record offenses | $100 |
| Drug Education Course | $100 |
| Administrative License Revocation (ALR) | $125 |
Know the rule
Some mandatory suspensions also require filing a Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22).
Handbook p. 16 ↗Automatic suspension on conviction: driving offenses
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI) by alcohol or drugs
- Drug offense
- Intoxication manslaughter or intoxication assault
- Failure to stop and render aid
- Causing death or serious injury while driving; involuntary manslaughter
- Any felony under Texas motor vehicle laws
- Passing a school bus (subsequent conviction)
- Boating while intoxicated
- Evading arrest
- Racing a motor vehicle on a public highway or street
Automatic suspension on conviction: license and document offenses
- Driving while license invalid
- Altered or unlawful use of a driver license
- Displaying or possessing a fictitious or altered driver license or ID
- Lending your driver license or ID card to someone
- Possessing more than one valid driver license or ID card
- Giving false information or documents when applying
- Making, selling, or possessing a document deceptively similar to a DPS license or ID
- Graffiti
- Fictitious license plate, registration certificate, or inspection sticker
- Fraudulent government records
After a hearing, DPS may suspend or revoke for:
- Driving while license invalid
- Causing a serious crash
- Four or more traffic convictions from separate incidents within any 12-month period
- Seven or more traffic convictions within any 24-month period
- Not giving medical information or taking exams required by the Medical Advisory Board
- Failing to take or pass a test when requested
- An offense in another state that would be grounds for suspension here
- Violating a probation order from a previous hearing
Under 21: automatic suspension on conviction or failure to comply
- Minor in possession, attempt to purchase, purchase, or consumption of alcohol
- Misrepresentation of age by a minor
- Driving or operating a watercraft under the influence of alcohol by a minor
- Failure to complete a required alcohol awareness or tobacco awareness class
- Drug offense, Controlled Substance Act offense, or a Chapter 481 felony
- Delinquent conduct by a minor or juvenile (Family Code)
Know the rule
After a hearing, DPS may suspend or revoke a minor's license for a juvenile court order, failure to pay a fine or juvenile contempt, or two or more traffic convictions from separate incidents within 12 months for a driver under 18.
Handbook p. 18 ↗Administrative License Revocation (ALR): DPS may suspend
- Drivers over 21 who fail a breath or blood test (0.08 or more)
- Any person who refuses a breath or blood test
- Drivers under 21 with any detectable amount of alcohol
DPS must cancel a license or ID for:
- Suspension or revocation action from another state
- Parental authorization withdrawn (under 18)
- Failure to give required information on the application
- Person is not entitled to the license or ID card
- Incomplete driver education
- A false statement on the application
Court-ordered suspension, revocation or cancellation
- Delinquent child support
- Requirement for an ignition interlock device
- Failure to repay an overpayment of food stamps or financial assistance
- Mentally incapacitated or chemically dependent
- Classified sex offender failing to renew annually as required
Put it into practice
A 17-year-old gets two speeding convictions from separate stops, in March and September of the same year. Two convictions within 12 months for a driver under 18 lets DPS suspend after a hearing. An adult would need four in 12 months or seven in 24.