Suspended license in Texas: points, other causes, and how to reinstate

How the points system works

This state does not use a points system. What it uses instead — a count of convictions inside a period, a driver-improvement rule or a habitual-offender rule — is described below in the state's own words.

Texas does not assess points against a driver record. The Department of Public Safety suspends a license by counting convictions: a driver is a "habitual violator" when convicted of four or more moving traffic violations arising from separate incidents in a 12-month period, or seven or more in a 24-month period. If no hearing is requested the suspension is 90 days; after a hearing with an affirmative finding it may be up to one year.

Points period stated by the agency: 2 years. Moving-violation convictions count toward a habitual-violator suspension when four arise within 12 consecutive months or seven within 24 months. The Department's pages do not state a separate period for how long a conviction remains on the driver record.

“four or more convictions that arise out of different transactions in 12 consecutive months, or seven or more convictions that arise out of different transactions in 24 months”

Check points or the driving record: dps.texas.gov

Traffic school and point reduction

Under Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 45A.352, a justice or municipal court judge shall allow a defendant who holds a Texas driver license, enters a plea of no contest or guilty and requests the course on or before the answer date to complete a driving safety course approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, provided the defendant has not completed one in the preceding 12 months, the charge is not speeding at 95 mph or more or 25 mph or more over the limit, and proof of financial responsibility is shown. On completion the charge is dismissed and may not be part of the driving record; the court may charge a reimbursement fee of not more than $10.

“A charge that is dismissed under this subchapter may not be part of a person's driving record or used for any purpose.”

Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one

These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.

Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension

Reinstatement fee: $100. Departmental suspensions (for example driving while license invalid or habitual violator), Safety Responsibility suspensions and education-program suspensions each carry a $100 reinstatement fee; an Administrative License Revocation carries $125. A separate fee is owed for each enforcement action type, and fees cannot be reduced, waived or paid in installments.

“Departmental Suspensions (DI): These are administrative enforcement actions that suspend your driver license or driving privilege (ex. Driving While License Invalid). Reinstatement fee is $100.”

1. Check the License Eligibility page

   A driver whose Texas license is suspended, revoked, cancelled or denied uses the license eligibility page to see what must be submitted to the Department for reinstatement, including any fees owed.

   “you must visit the license eligibility webpage to determine what you will need to submit to the Department for reinstatement.”

2. Pay the reinstatement fee

   Reinstatement fees can be paid online through the license eligibility page, with processing in approximately 24 to 48 hours. A $5.75 convenience fee applies to online payments; fees cannot be paid at a driver license office.

   “Reinstatement fees can be paid online through the license eligibility webpage. This is the quickest, most convenient way to submit your payment, with processing taking approximately 24-48 hours.”

3. Submit compliance documents

   Remaining compliance items are submitted by mail, fax or email (PDF format) to Enforcement and Compliance Service, with the driver's full name, date of birth and driver license number on each document and a copy of the suspension notice if available.

   “any remaining compliance items must be submitted by mail, fax, or email. All documents submitted by email must be in PDF format.”

4. If paying by mail, send payment with the documents

   A driver who cannot pay online mails the payment together with the compliance documents to Central Cash Receiving; processing takes up to 21 business days.

   “If you cannot pay your reinstatement fee online, you must mail your payment along with your compliance documents to the address below.”

5. Wait for the status to show eligible

   Once all compliance items are processed and the mandatory suspension period has ended, the driver eligibility status is updated to "eligible"; all fees must be paid before a license can be applied for, renewed or upgraded.

   “Once all compliance items have been processed and your mandatory suspension period has ended, your driver eligibility status will be updated to reflect "eligible".”

Official page: dps.texas.gov

After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in Texas.

Driving during a non-DUI suspension

Available · Occupational Driver License. An occupational driver license (essential need license) is a restricted license available when a license is suspended, revoked or denied for certain offenses other than a medical reason or delinquent child support. It allows non-commercial driving for work, essential household duties or school. The driver petitions the justice, county or district court; the court order, an SR-22, the occupational license fee and all reinstatement fees are submitted to DPS. The enforcement-actions chart lists the occupational license option as available for habitual-violator, restriction-violation and DWLI suspensions.

“a special type of restricted license issued to you when your driver license has been suspended, revoked or denied for certain offenses, other than a medical reason or delinquent child support.”

For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in Texas.