Facing a Texas Driver’s License Suspension After a DWI Arrest?
If you were arrested for DWI in Texas and received a notice that your driver’s license may be suspended, you may have the right to request a Texas Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing.
An ALR hearing is a separate administrative proceeding concerning your Texas driving privileges. It is different from the criminal DWI case. Even if your DWI case has not been resolved in criminal court, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) may pursue an administrative suspension of your driver’s license.
At The Coffey Firm, Mimi Coffey represents clients facing DWI-related driver’s license issues and ALR proceedings in North Texas. Our goal is to protect your driving privileges and challenge an administrative suspension when the facts and law provide grounds to do so.
What Is a Texas ALR Hearing?
ALR stands for Administrative License Revocation. It is a civil administrative process used by the Texas Department of Public Safety to suspend or disqualify driving privileges following certain DWI or BWI-related arrests.
According to Texas DPS, the ALR process can apply when a person:
- Refuses to provide a requested blood or breath specimen;
- Fails a blood or breath test; or
- Provides a blood or breath specimen showing a BAC of 0.08% or more while operating a non-commercial motor vehicle.
Different rules can apply to commercial drivers and drivers under 21.
An ALR suspension is not the same thing as a DWI conviction. The administrative license proceeding and the criminal DWI case are separate matters.
How Long Do I Have to Request a Texas ALR Hearing?
Generally, you have 15 days. If you receive a DIC-25 notice following a DWI arrest involving a breath or blood test refusal or failure, Texas DPS states that the request for an ALR hearing must be received within 15 days after you receive or are presumed to have received the notice.
This deadline is extremely important.
If the hearing request is not made within the applicable deadline, DPS states that the request will be denied and the suspension can take effect.
Do not wait until the last day.
If you were arrested for DWI and received an ALR suspension notice, contact a The Coffey Firm as soon as possible. Your attorney can review the notice, determine the applicable deadline, and help you understand the hearing process.
How Mimi Coffey Can Help With a Texas ALR License Hearing
An ALR hearing can be an important part of protecting your driving privileges after a DWI arrest.
Mimi Coffey and The Coffey Firm represent individuals facing DWI and driver’s license issues in North Texas. Our team can review the circumstances surrounding your arrest, examine the ALR notice and available evidence, and explain your options.
If you were arrested for DWI in Dallas, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Dallas County, or elsewhere in North Texas, contacting an experienced DWI defense attorney quickly can help you understand the deadlines and legal process affecting your driver’s license.
Contact The Coffey Firm About Your Texas ALR Hearing
If you received an ALR suspension notice after a DWI arrest, time matters.
Mimi Coffey and The Coffey Firm can help you understand the Texas ALR process, the applicable deadlines, and your legal options.
Contact The Coffey Firm to schedule a consultation about your Texas DWI and driver’s license situation.
The sooner you address your ALR notice, the sooner you can understand what steps may be available to protect your driving privileges.
Texas ALR License Hearing FAQs
What does ALR mean in Texas?
ALR means Administrative License Revocation. It is a civil administrative process through which the Texas Department of Public Safety may suspend or disqualify driving privileges after certain DWI or BWI-related arrests.
Is an ALR suspension the same as a DWI conviction?
No. An ALR suspension is part of an administrative process and is separate from the criminal DWI proceeding.
How quickly should I contact a lawyer after a DWI arrest?
You should contact a DWI attorney as soon as possible, particularly if you received an ALR notice. The applicable hearing-request deadline can be very short.
How long do I have to request an ALR hearing?
For the typical DIC-25 notice following a DWI arrest, Texas DPS states that the request must be received within 15 days after the notice is received or presumed received.
Where are Texas ALR hearings held?
Texas DPS states that ALR hearings are conducted by the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) before an Administrative Law Judge.
Can I appeal an ALR hearing decision?
An ALR decision may be appealable. Texas DPS states that an appeal petition generally must be filed within 30 days of the start date of the suspension or disqualification, subject to applicable requirements.
Can I still fight my DWI case if my license is suspended through ALR?
Yes. The ALR proceeding and the criminal DWI case are separate matters. A driver’s license suspension does not by itself determine the outcome of the criminal DWI case.
