What is the Process for License Reinstatement After a DWI?

 Posted on September 16, 2024 in DWI

If you have a DWI conviction, then it is likely you faced a driver’s license suspension or revocation. Once the suspension period is over, you can have your license reinstated, provided you have complied with all court mandates. The ability to drive is incredibly important in our busy society. We drive to and from work, to and from school, run errands, go on vacations, and visit friends and family. All those things require a driver’s license.

It can take a significant toll on your freedom when you must depend on others to get where you need to be without relying on public transportation. To ensure you have the best chance possible of having your license reinstated, it is essential that you follow the correct process. Having an experienced Fort Worth, TX DWI attorney from The Dameron Law Firm assisting you will help ensure that you regain your driving privileges. 

What Texas Offenses Result in a Driver’s License Suspension?

There are a number of offenses in Texas that can result in a driver’s license suspension, usually from six months to two years, but in some cases, longer. These include:

• DWI, under Texas Transportation Penal Ann. Section 49.04

• DWI with a child in the car under Texas Penal Code Ann. Section  49.045

• Administrative license suspension under Texas Transportation Code Ann. Section 724.035

• Intoxication Assault stemming from driving while intoxicated and causing serious bodily injury to another person

• Intoxication Manslaughter under Texas Penal Code Ann. Section 49.08

• Driving with a Suspended License, under Texas Transportation Code Ann. Section 521.457

What Are the Suspension Periods for Various Offenses?

If your license was suspended for one of the above offenses, you should be able to have it reinstated after the required length of time has passed. The suspension period is 90 days to one year for a first DWI, first intoxication assault, first DWI with an open container, and first DWI with a child in the vehicle. A DWI offense following first intoxication manslaughter can result in a suspension of 180 days to two years.

If the driver is under 21, the suspension period for any DWI offense is one year. If a subsequent DWI is received within five years of a prior DWI, the suspension period is from one to two years. An administrative license suspension for failing to pass a chemical test is 90 days and one year if you have a prior alcohol related contact on your driving record within ten years.  Refusing to provide a sample can result in a 180-day suspension for a first refusal and a two-year suspension for any subsequent refusal within ten years.

How Can I Get My Texas Driver’s License Reinstated?

To obtain a reinstatement, you must meet the following requirements:

• The stated amount of time must have lapsed.

• You must apply for reinstatement of your license, which can take from one to three months.

• A reinstatement fee of $125 for an administrative suspension and $100 for DWI or traffic offenses must be paid.

• In some cases, proof of SR-22 insurance filing is required for two years.

• Any required drug or alcohol treatment, driving course, or other required courses must be completed.

You may also qualify for an occupational driver’s license, which authorizes you to operate a non-commercial motor vehicle only in connection with work, the performance of essential household duties, or school-related activities.

Contact a Tarrant County, TX Driver’s License Suspension Attorney

Being without a driver’s license can be a serious handicap, even resulting in the loss of a job or the inability to obtain employment. When you have a Fort Worth, TX license suspension attorney from The Dameron Law Firm helping you get your driver’s license reinstated, the process is much more likely to have a positive outcome.

Attorney Craig Dameron is a passionate criminal defense attorney with more than two decades of experience representing clients charged with DWI and other criminal charges. Craig has been recognized by his peers as a top criminal defense attorney on multiple occasions. Contact The Dameron Law Firm at 817-222-0624 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your driver’s license reinstatement.