Blanco County ALR Hearing Guide

How to request your Administrative License Revocation hearing and protect your driving privileges.

Last verified: January 6, 2026

15-Day Deadline

You have exactly 15 days from your arrest to request an ALR hearing. Miss this deadline and your license is automatically suspended. No exceptions.

Enter your arrest date to see your deadline:

Select arrest date

If You Request in Time

  • • Temporary permit until hearing
  • • Chance to keep your license
  • • Gather evidence for defense

If You Miss the Deadline

  • • Automatic 90-180 day suspension
  • • No hearing, no appeal
  • • Starts 40 days after arrest

How to Request Your Hearing

Fastest Method

Online Request

Fee: $125 (credit card)

Available: 24/7

Instant confirmation

Go to DPS ALR Portal
Alternative

Phone Request

Phone: (512) 424-2600

Fee: $125 (credit card)

Hours: Mon-Fri 8AM - 5PM

Expect long hold times

Information You'll Need

From Your DIC-25 Notice:

  • • Driver License Number
  • • Date of Arrest
  • • Arresting Agency
  • • Arresting Officer Name

Personal Information:

  • • Full Legal Name
  • • Current Address
  • • Date of Birth
  • • Phone Number & Email

After You Request

1

Temporary Permit

Immediate

Drive legally until your hearing

2

Hearing Notice

20-40 days

Date, time, and format mailed to you

3

Prepare Defense

Before hearing

Gather evidence, hire attorney

4

Attend Hearing

Scheduled date

Usually phone or video

5

Decision

Same day

Win: keep license. Lose: suspension starts

What to Expect at the Hearing

Most hearings are by phone or video

You usually don't need to travel to Austin. When you receive your hearing notice, it will specify whether it's phone, video, or in-person.

Duration

30-60 minutes typically

Who's There

You, your attorney (optional), DPS attorney, administrative law judge

What They Review

Probable cause for stop, proper arrest procedure, chemical test validity

Evidence That Can Help

  • Dashcam or bodycam footage showing procedural errors
  • Breathalyzer calibration records (if not current)
  • Witness statements about your sobriety
  • Medical conditions affecting field sobriety tests

For the rare in-person hearings:

State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), 300 W. 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701 • (512) 475-4993

Should You Hire an Attorney?

With an Attorney

  • Can subpoena arresting officer
  • Knows how to challenge evidence
  • Uses hearing to strengthen criminal defense
  • Higher success rate at hearings

Without an Attorney

  • DPS has experienced attorney present
  • May not know proper objections
  • Can't effectively cross-examine officers
  • Lower win rate statistically
Find DWI Attorneys in Blanco County

If You Lose Your Hearing

Losing the ALR hearing isn't the end. You still have options to maintain limited driving privileges:

Ignition Interlock

Drive with device installed

Occupational License

Limited driving for work/essentials

Texas DPS Office

For license reinstatement after suspension ends, or to get an occupational license:

Address
4000 Jackson Ave, Austin, TX 78731
Get Directions
Phone
(281) 219-4500
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

FAQ

Related Guides

Court Process
Criminal case timeline
Bail & Bond
Getting released

Texas DPS requires ALR hearing requests within 15 calendar days of your DWI arrest in Blanco County. This deadline is critical; failing to request a hearing within this timeframe will result in the automatic suspension of your driver's license.

Understanding the ALR Hearing Process in Blanco County

An Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing is a separate civil proceeding from your criminal DWI case. It determines whether the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is justified in suspending your driver's license following a DWI arrest. This suspension occurs if you either failed a breath or blood test with a BAC of 0.08 or higher, or if you refused to provide a specimen.

Requesting an ALR Hearing

While specific methods for requesting a hearing in Blanco County aren't explicitly detailed, the standard practice in Texas involves submitting a request in writing to DPS. It is highly recommended to send this request via certified mail to ensure proof of timely submission. The address to send it to is typically on the DIC-25 form you received at the time of arrest.

Hearing Location

It is likely that ALR hearings related to a Blanco County DWI arrest are not held in Blanco County itself. DPS often consolidates these hearings in larger nearby cities. Contact DPS directly or consult with an attorney to confirm the exact location for your hearing, as it may be in Austin or another regional DPS office.

Local Timeline

The exact wait time for an ALR hearing in Blanco County is difficult to pinpoint, however the County Court docket data indicates a rigorous schedule where cases are tracked by "Age of Case," with some cases pending for over 1,300 days which highlights a potential backlog. This could extend the timeline for ALR hearings, or other administrative actions. However, prompt action is recommended and in your best interest.

Occupational License

If your license is suspended, you may be eligible for an Occupational Driver's License (ODL), which allows you to drive for essential purposes such as work, school, or medical appointments. The process involves petitioning a Blanco County court. A DWI attorney can guide you through this process, which includes providing proof of essential need and SR-22 insurance. They can advise on the requirements specific to Blanco County and the judges who oversee these matters.

Because the Blanco County Jail is located at 400 US Hwy 281 South, Johnson City, Texas, it is a common first stop after a DWI arrest.

Sources

Last updated: January 6, 2026

24/7 Legal Support

Need a DUI Attorney in Blanco County?

Get connected with experienced DUI attorneys who know Blanco County courts and can fight for the best outcome.

Talk To An Attorney