Reader’s Question:

I was recently arrested for DWI here in Houston, Texas and I’m about to request for the ALR hearing. Where will the hearing for my driver’s license suspension be held?

Ralph

Houston, TX

The State Office of Administrative Hearings or SOAH is the one which will conduct the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing that is dedicated to the sole purpose of suspending your driver’s license. After your DWI arrest in Houston, Texas, a green “Notice of Suspension” was served to you and your driver’s license was literally taken by the police officer in exchange for a temporary permit. If the Department of Public Safety (DPS) does not receive a request for hearing within 15 days upon your arrest, your driver’s license will be automatically suspended.

The driver’s license suspension ranges from 90 days to two years and without a hearing request, the suspension begins on the 40th day after you have been served of the notice. If you request the hearing within 15 days, it will entitle you to an administrative hearing to determine if your driver’s license will be suspended. Just a little reminder that the hearing should not only be sent, it should be received by the DPS within 15 days. You can drive while you are waiting for your hearing and if you win your hearing, your license will not be suspended. If you lose your hearing, you may apply for an occupational driver’s license that permits you to drive to and from work.

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