Llano County DWI Guide

In 2018, nearly two-thirds of the Llano Police Department — including the Chief — was indicted on charges of abuse of power, official oppression, and filing false charges. One of those officers was indicted specifically for tampering with dash-camera footage during a DWI traffic stop. That history hasn't gone away either: a Llano officer was fired and arrested by the Texas Rangers on felony charges as recently as August 2026. For anyone facing a DWI charge here, that record makes close scrutiny of the arresting agency's probable-cause paperwork and camera footage worth the effort.

Through April 2026, DWI accounted for 15 of the 304 criminal cases Llano County processed through the state bail system — about 4.9% of the total caseload. Enforcement concentrates along State Highway 29 and State Highway 71, the county's main traffic arteries. The Llano County Sheriff's Office, Llano PD, and DPS troopers all make arrests here.

Jail, Bail, and Courthouse Rules

The Llano County Jail, at 752 Andy Taylor Drive, takes bond payments 24/7 — a genuine convenience, since many counties restrict bail processing to business hours. First-offense bail typically runs $1,000 to $5,000, rising to $2,000 to $7,500 or more if the BAC hit 0.15% or higher (which also triggers a mandatory ignition interlock). A second offense runs $3,000 to $10,000-plus. Release after bond posts takes 90 minutes to two hours.

The courthouse at 801 Ford Street enforces an unusually strict decorum policy: cell phones, pagers, and smartwatches are banned outright, not just silenced — if a phone rings, the bailiff confiscates it until the end of the court day. The dress code bans shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, hats, and ripped jeans; men are expected in tucked-in collared shirts. Showing up in violation can mean denial of entry, which triggers a Failure to Appear warrant and forfeits bail — print any documents needed beforehand, since phones won't make it past the door.

License Suspension

The 15-day deadline to request an ALR hearing is absolute, with zero grace period for weekends or holidays. Miss it, and suspension kicks in automatically on day 40. Suspensions run 90 days to a year for a first offense, up to two years for a second or a BAC over 0.15%. Reinstatement costs $125 for an ALR suspension or $100 for a safety-responsibility suspension, payable online through the DPS portal with the hold typically clearing in 24 to 48 hours. Llano County has no DPS driver license office — the county tax office handles registration and titles but not licenses, so reinstatement and occupational license requests go through the online DPS portal or a regional Mega Center appointment.

IID and Other Services

A Smart Start installation center operates inside Burnet Tire & Automotive in Burnet, about 15 miles from Llano, with recalibration required every 30 to 67 days. Several other state-approved IID brands serve the wider Central Texas region as well. No SCRAM provider or local SR-22 agent is confirmed inside the county — SR-22 filings go directly through the insurer. The mandatory DWI education course is available through state-approved providers, and outpatient substance abuse counseling is accessible through a regional clinic.

Sources

• Llano County
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation — Towing Fees