Jefferson County ALR Hearing Guide
How to request your Administrative License Revocation (ALR) Hearing and protect your driving privileges after a DWI arrest.
Last verified: September 12, 2026
15-Day Deadline
You have exactly 15 days from your arrest to request a hearing. Miss this deadline and your license is automatically suspended. No exceptions.
Enter your arrest date to see your deadline:
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 after waiting period
How to Request Your Hearing
Online Request
Fee: Typically $50-$125
Available: 24/7
Instant confirmation
Phone Request
Fee: Same as online
Hours: Business hours only
Expect hold times
Information You'll Need
From Your 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
Temporary Permit
ImmediateDrive legally until your hearing
Hearing Notice
20-40 daysDate, time, and format mailed to you
Prepare Defense
Before hearingGather evidence, hire attorney
Attend Hearing
Scheduled dateUsually phone or video
Decision
Same dayWin: keep license. Lose: suspension starts
Temporary Permit
Immediate
Drive until hearing
Hearing Notice
20-40 days
Date mailed to you
Prepare
Before hearing
Gather evidence
Attend Hearing
Scheduled
Phone or video
Decision
Same day
Win or suspension
What to Expect at the Hearing
Most hearings are by phone or video
You usually don't need to travel. 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), state attorney, hearing officer
What They Review
Probable cause for stop, proper arrest procedure, 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
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
- State has experienced attorney present
- May not know proper objections
- Can't effectively cross-examine officers
- Lower win rate statistically
If You Lose Your Hearing
Losing the 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
A DWI arrest in Jefferson County starts a second, entirely separate clock the moment the officer confiscates the physical license and hands over a DIC-25 temporary permit. The defendant has exactly 15 calendar days from that date to request a hearing challenging the suspension. Miss it, and the suspension takes effect automatically on day 40, no exceptions.
Filing the request
Requests go to the DPS Enforcement and Compliance Service in Austin, by mail, email to alrfax2650@dps.texas.gov, or fax to 512-424-2650. There's no fee to file. The hearing itself is run by an administrative law judge from the State Office of Administrative Hearings, not a local Jefferson County judge, and most hearings now happen by Zoom or teleconference rather than in person.
Why filing on time matters beyond the license itself
A timely request stays the suspension until the hearing concludes, so the defendant keeps driving legally on the temporary permit in the meantime. It also gives the defense an early shot at the arresting officer: they can be subpoenaed and cross-examined under oath at the ALR hearing, and that testimony gets locked in on the record well before the criminal trial ever starts.
If the suspension goes through
Getting an Occupational Driver's License or handling reinstatement means going through the Beaumont DPS office on Eastex Freeway, appointment-only, with a small batch of same-day slots released online each day on a first-come basis. The office also closes for an hour on the second Wednesday of every month. Reinstatement itself costs $125.
Last updated: September 12, 2026
Top Rated Jefferson County DWI Attorneys
When facing a DWI charge in Jefferson County, finding local, experienced representation is critical. Below are DWI defense attorneys serving Jefferson County, TX; paid listings are advertisements and ratings are from Google.
These are free, unclaimed business listings compiled from public sources. They have not been verified or reviewed by DUI Guide, are not paid advertisements, and listing order does not reflect quality or recommendation. Is this your business? You can claim your listing for free.