DWI in Texas: what follows an arrest

The sources describe two tracks after a DWI arrest. One is the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) suspension. The other is the court case and what follows a conviction.

On the ALR track, a license suspended in an ALR proceeding may not be reinstated until the person pays a $125¹ fee in addition to any other fee required by law. If a suspension or denial is rescinded by the department, an administrative law judge, or a court, that fee is not required.¹ The statute also says that if a criminal charge from the same arrest results in an acquittal, the ALR suspension may not be imposed, or if already imposed the department rescinds it.² The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) adds that if an ALR hearing is granted and the finding is negative, the pending suspension is lifted and associated reinstatement fees are refunded.³

On the conviction track, DPS says evidence of completing the alcohol education program must reach DPS within 180 days from conviction⁴ or the license will be revoked. DPS also says an occupational license issued after an ALR suspension or DWI conviction carries an interlock restriction regardless of whether the court order requires one.⁵