Texas Driving Law



Information on Texas driving law and Texas traffic laws...

Suspensions Related to Alcohol Offenses

A breath or blood or test failure or refusal. If a person fails or refuses to take a breath or blood test following an arrest for driving while intoxicated, the person may receive a license suspension of from 90 days to 2 years. If the driver holds a Commercial Driver License, a breath test failure or refusal will result in an automatic one-year disqualification.

Requirements for Reinstatement:

Prior to the renewal/issuance of a driver license, a reinstatement fee will be required.

A conviction for driving while intoxicated (DWI). The license suspension period varies by court order not to exceed two years. In accordance with Texas driving law, a conviction for driving while intoxicated under the age of 21 will result in an automatic suspension for one year.

NOTE: Under Texas traffic laws, it is possible to receive a suspension for a DWI conviction AND a suspension for a blood/breath test refusal/failure arising from the same arrest.

Requirements for Reinstatement:

  1. Prior to the renewal/issuance of a driver license, a reinstatement fee will be required in accordance with Texas driving law.


  2. Obtain proof of insurance (form SR-22) from your insurance company and submit to the Texas Dept. of Public Safety (DPS). The SR-22 is required for two years from date of conviction.


  3. If a Repeat Offender's DWI education program has been required by the convicting court, certificate of completion must be forwarded to DPS prior to the expiration of the suspension to prevent an additional revocation period.

Alcohol related offenses by a Minor. In accordance with Texas driving law, persons under 21 years of age who are convicted of the following offenses will receive a 30 day license suspension for the first offense, 60 days for a second offense, and 180 days for a third offense:

  • Purchase of alcohol by a minor
  • Attempt to purchase alcohol by a minor
  • Consumption of alcohol by a minor
  • Public Intoxication by a minor

Requirements for Reinstatement:

Under Texas traffic laws, there are no reinstatement requirements for these alcohol related suspensions.

Suspensions Related to Drug Offenses

A conviction for a drug offense. A person's license is automatically suspended upon final conviction of a drug offense (which does NOT have to occur while operating a motor vehicle). The suspension period is 180 days. In addition, a drug education program is automatically required and must be completed within the 180-day suspension period or the license remains suspended until such time as a certificate of completion is received by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

NOTE: Under Texas driving law, a person who does not hold a Texas driver license at the time of conviction will be prohibited from obtaining a Texas driver license for a period of 180 days. The prohibition period will not begin until the person makes contact with DPS for the issuance of a driver license or for reinstatement of driving privileges for non-residents.

Requirements for Reinstatement:

  1. Prior to the renewal/issuance of a driver license, a reinstatement fee will be required in accordance with Texas driving law.


  2. Obtain proof of insurance (form SR-22) from your insurance company and submit to the Texas Dept. of Public Safety (DPS). The SR-22 is required for two years from date of conviction.


  3. Certificate of completion of the required drug class must be forwarded to DPS.

Suspensions Related to Out-of-State Offenses

Suspended driving privilege in another state/jurisdiction. A person who has a suspended driving status in another state is not eligible for the issuance of a Texas license. If an adverse driving status appears in another state after the issuance of a Texas license, the Texas license is subject to cancellation.



Requirements for Reinstatement:

To prevent or lift cancellation of a Texas license due to an adverse driving status in another state, the driver must obtain a clear status from that state's respective driver licensing agency. Upon confirmation of the clear status from the out-of-state licensing agency, contact must be made with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Headquarters at 512-424-2600 in order for the clearance/compliance to be applied to the Texas driver record.

For this type of cancellation, documents submitted to DPS from an out-of-state COURT are NOT acceptable as proof of compliance. Compliance must originate from that state's driver licensing agency.

An unpaid traffic citation in another state. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) may revoke a person's license if the person has not complied with the terms of a traffic citation received in another state.

Requirements for Reinstatement:

  1. Proof of payment for the out of state citation must be submitted to DPS. Proof of payment includes receipt from court, copy of money order or cashiers check, or copy of cancelled check (front and back).


  2. Upon revocation, a reinstatement fee will be required prior to the renewal/issuance of a driver license.

Out-of-State Offense. Under Texas driving law, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) may suspend a person's license upon receipt of a notice of conviction of an offense committed in another state that, if committed in this state, would be grounds for suspension.

Requirements for Reinstatement:

A reinstatement fee will be required prior to the renewal/issuance of a driver license.

Suspensions Related to Traffic Violations

Habitual traffic violations. A person who receives four (4) or more moving violations in a period of 12 months, or seven (7) or more moving violations in a period of 24 months, is subject to having their license suspended. A provisional driver (under 18 years of age) who receives two (2) or less than four (4) moving violations in a period of 12 months, is subject to having their license suspended.

Requirements for Reinstatement:

Prior to the renewal/issuance of a driver license, a reinstatement fee will be required.

Driving while license suspended/invalid. A person who is operating a motor vehicle while their license is under suspension, revocation, or cancellation is subject to an additional license suspension for the same period of time as the original suspension.

Requirements for Reinstatement:

  1. Prior to the renewal/issuance of a driver license, a reinstatement fee will be required in accordance with Texas driving law.


  2. A person who has been convicted for the offense of "Driving While License Suspended" is required to file proof of insurance (form SR-22). Obtain proof of insurance (form SR-22) from your insurance company and submit to the Texas Dept. of Public Safety (DPS). The SR-22 is required for two years from date of conviction.

Violation of a driver license restriction. In accordance with Texas driving law, a person who has been convicted of two or more violations of a driver license restriction/endorsement is subject to license suspension.

Suspensions Related to Crashes

Uninsured Crash. When the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) receives notice that a person has been involved in a crash that occurred on a public street or highway, which resulted in injury, death or property damages of at least $1,000.00, the uninsured driver is subject to license suspension.

Requirements for Reinstatement:

  1. Comply using one of the following methods:

    1.  Provide evidence of liability insurance at the time of the crash; or


    2.  Pay all damaged parties and secure a full and final release (form SR-11) from liability of judgment; or


    3.  File a properly executed installment agreement (SR-19) (If DPS receives notice that a driver has defaulted on the installment agreement the license is subject to suspension); or


    4.  File security deposit with the State along with an SR-22 and SR-22a form.


  2. A reinstatement fee will be required prior to the renewal/issuance of a driver license if a suspension has been enforced.

Note: If after 2 years from the date of the crash there are no civil suits pending or unpaid judgments, application may be made for reinstatement by filing form SR-60 and paying the reinstatement fee.

Liability Judgment. When the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) receives a certified copy of an unsatisfied judgment arising out of a traffic crash that occurred on a public street or highway, the person(s) who the judgment is rendered against is subject to suspension.

Requirements for Reinstatement:

  1. Comply using one of the following methods:

    1.  Provide evidence that the judgment has been satisfied in the form of a Release (form SR-11); or


    2.  Court Approved Installment Agreement (If DPS receives notice that a driver has defaulted on the court approved installment agreement, the license is subject to suspension); or


    3.  Judgment Creditor’s Consent Form (SR-84). And submit an SR-22 certificate of insurance if within 2 years from the date the judgment was rendered.


  2. A reinstatement fee will be required prior to the renewal/issuance of a driver license if a suspension has been enforced.

Note: Under Texas driving law, if the judgment is over 10 years old you may file a certificate from the court in which the judgment was rendered that a judgment has not been renewed. Submit the required reinstatement fee.

The following documents must be submitted to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to process an unsatisfied judgment:

  1. Certified copy of the judgment. (Cannot process unless at least 60 days have elapsed since the date judgment was signed.)


  2. Notice of Unsatisfied Judgment. (Form SR-62)


  3. Transcript of Civil Proceedings. (Form SR-42) OR Certificate of no appeal.


  4. Crash report (if available) or Driver's Crash Report (Form CRB-2/"Blue Form").

For more information on Texas driving law, please visit the Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Division.

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