Fort Bend 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 Fort Bend 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

The defendant has exactly 15 days from the date of arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing in Texas. This is crucial for anyone arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in Fort Bend County. Failing to request a hearing within this short window results in an automatic license suspension, starting on the 40th day after your arrest. The suspension periods are severe: 90 days for failing a breath test (BAC over 0.08) and 180 days for refusing a breath or blood test.

What is an ALR Hearing?

An Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing is a separate administrative process from your criminal DWI case. It determines whether your driver's license will be suspended due to a DWI arrest. This process is handled by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), not the Fort Bend County courts.

Requesting an ALR Hearing in Fort Bend County

To request an ALR hearing, you must act quickly. You have only 15 days from the date of your arrest. Your request must include precise data: Date of Birth, Driver's License Number, and Date of Arrest. A typo results in rejection.

ALR Hearing Location

Historically, ALR hearings related to Fort Bend County DWI arrests were held in Richmond. However, recent operational shifts have moved many hearings to remote (Zoom) or centralized hubs in Houston. While SOAH holds hearings in remote locations, the request must be processed centrally.

Occupational Driver's License (ODL) in Fort Bend County

If your license is suspended following the ALR process (or failure to request a hearing), you may be eligible for an Occupational Driver's License (ODL). This restricted license allows you to drive for essential purposes like work, school, and household duties.

The petition for an ODL is usually filed in the same court handling your criminal case in Fort Bend County (County Courts at Law 1-6). However, the filing fees are separate. To obtain an ODL, you generally need:

  • SR-22 Insurance: A certificate of financial responsibility.
  • Ignition Interlock: Often a condition for the ODL, even if not yet ordered by the criminal court.
  • Filing Fee: Approximately $350 (including filing and certified copy fees).

Reinstatement Fees

Even after the suspension period ends, your license is not automatically valid. You must pay a $125 Reinstatement Fee to DPS. It is recommended to pay this fee online to avoid processing delays.

Sources

Last updated: January 6, 2026

24/7 Legal Support

Need a DUI Attorney in Fort Bend County?

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

Talk To An Attorney