Steps to Applying for an Occupational License

1. Determining Your Driver’s License Suspension

The first step to obtaining an Occupational License is to know why your Texas Driver’s License has been suspended in the first place. Certain types of suspensions require different remedies and documents to obtain an Occupational License.

You’ll also want to know how long your suspension is for, since Occupational Licenses are only valid for up to two years (although we can extend it, if needed).

We can usually give you a pretty good idea over the phone as to what you may need to start driving legally, but you can also check with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to be certain, by calling DPS directly at 512-424-2600, or by visiting https://txapps.texas.gov/txapp/txdps/dlreinstatement/login.do.

 2. Next, you’ll want to figure out how you want to use your Occupational License.

You can use an Occupational License for up to 12 hours per day, 7 days a week, but only to go 1) to and from work, 2) to drive during your job, if your employer requires it, 3) to and from school or classes, and 4) for daily household chores and duties, such as driving to the bank, laundry mat, doctor’s office, grocery shopping, daycare, children’s school for pickup and drop-off, emergencies, and other required trips that you may do on a regular basis.

In addition to the locations and times above, an Occupational Driver’s License also restricts the counties in which you can drive. DPS requires each county within Texas that you drive in to be specifically listed on the Occupational License, so it’s important to determine where you’ll need to drive.

3. Gather Your Documents and get SR22 Insurance. 

So what do you need ahead of time? Before we can get into Court, you’ll need to gather a few things that we can take to the hearing and show to the Judge. So, what do you need? We’ve listed the most common items below, but CALL US since certain counties require different documents (so you might not need to gather all of these):

• SR22 Auto Insurance

SR22 is a statewide insurance component that is added to your normal insurance. All SR22 does is mandates that your insurance carrier notifies DPS if you lapse in the policy, meaning if you don’t pay. SR22 insurance is the only insurance accepted for Occupational Licenses in Texas.

• Driving Record

You’ll need your driving record from DPS

• Letter from Employer or School Schedule/Enrollment

You’ll need proof that you need to drive for work or school

• Notarized Petition for an Occupational Driver’s License

How Much Will an Occupational License Cost You?

There are a few different costs associated with an Occupational License:

• County Filing Fees:

Harris County charges approximately $250 to file an Occupational License with the County Clerk. All Occupational Licenses must be filed with the Clerk, and certified.

• DPS Reinstatement Fees:

Reinstatement Fees vary from person to person, depending on the driving record and type of suspension. As a general rule, the reinstatement fee is $100, or $125 after a DWI. More tickets leading to a suspension means more Reinstatement Fees. You can check your Reinstatement Fees through DPS by visiting their website https://txapps.texas.gov/txapp/txdps/dleligibility/login.do or calling DPS directly at 512-424-2600.

• DPS Occupational License Fee:

This is approximately $10 per year fee paid to DPS.

• Attorney’s Fees:

We offer low, competitive rates for Occupational Licenses.  Call us today for a Free Consultation and Quote.

How long is the Occupational Driver’s License valid?

Your Occupational Driver’s License is typically valid through the period of suspension, but you may need to get the license renewed. Additionally, the certified copy of the Order for an Occupational Driver’s License that you will receive after the Occupational Driver’s License Attorney has gone to court for you is valid for only 45 days (under the old law, it was only 30 days). So you will need to send in the Order as soon as possible to DPS so that they can issue you your “permanent” Occupational Driver’s License.

Contact The Huff Law Firm now at 713-562-8700 (24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week) to discuss  obtaining an Occupational Driver’s License. We will go over every step of the process in detail and what specifically you will need to do to start driving legally again.