Lubbock County License Hearing Guide
How to request your Administrative License Hearing and protect your driving privileges after a DWI arrest.
Last verified: September 7, 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
You have 15 days from a Lubbock County DWI arrest to request a hearing to keep your license. The officer took your plastic license and gave you a paper notice of suspension that works as a temporary permit. Miss the 15-day window and the right to contest the suspension is gone for good, and the suspension takes effect automatically on the 40th day. Submit the request through the DPS online portal, by certified mail, or by fax to 512-424-2650.
The hearing
Hearings are run by the State Office of Administrative Hearings, which has a Lubbock office on 50th Street, though most hearings now happen over Zoom or phone. Request one even if you expect to lose: it's a civil proceeding, so your attorney can subpoena the arresting officer and cross-examine them under oath, locking in their account before the criminal jury trial.
The interlock and probation
An ignition interlock is mandatory for a second or subsequent DWI, or a first offense with a BAC over 0.15. The device has to be recalibrated at the shop every 30 to 60 days, and missing that appointment locks the car. More seriously, any attempt to bypass the device or a breath sample with alcohol in it sends an automatic notice to the Lubbock County probation department, which files a violation report that often ends with a motion to revoke your bond and a trip back to jail.
Several vendors have installation bays in town: Intoxalock works through shops on Sherman Avenue, Avenue Q, and 19th Street; Smart Start is on Avenue P; RoadGuard installs on 34th Street. Pick one near your home or work, because you'll be back monthly.
If a judge orders a SCRAM ankle monitor instead, which is common for repeat offenders and DWI Court participants, that's handled through the county probation office on Main Street, not a private shop.
SR-22 and reinstatement
Once the suspension period ends, the license isn't valid until your insurer files an SR-22 and you pay the state's $125 reinstatement fee. A DWI conviction also requires the 12-hour alcohol education class, and not turning in that certificate keeps your license suspended indefinitely. Certified providers operate around Lubbock, including online options; see the class directory on this site.
Last updated: September 7, 2026
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When facing a DWI charge in Lubbock County, finding local, experienced representation is critical. Below is our curated list of verified DWI defense attorneys serving Lubbock County, TX.
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