Nueces 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 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 Nueces County DWI arrest to request a hearing to keep your license. Miss it and the suspension starts automatically on the 40th day, whether or not you're guilty of anything in the criminal case. Request it on time and the suspension is stayed, so you keep driving on your temporary permit until the hearing, which is usually 3 to 6 months out.
Filing quirks
If you use the DPS online portal, don't use Firefox. The site explicitly doesn't support it, and it will fail your submission silently; use Chrome or Edge. The alternative is faxing the request to 512-424-2650, which gives you a transmission receipt as proof if DPS later claims it never arrived. Either way, include your license number, the date of arrest, the county, and the arresting agency.
The hearing
Hearings are run by the State Office of Administrative Hearings, which has a Corpus Christi office on Flynn Parkway, though most hearings now happen over Zoom or phone. Request one even in a case you expect to lose: if the arresting officer doesn't show up, and that happens often, the suspension is dismissed by default and your license stays valid.
The interlock
An ignition interlock is a standard bond condition for a high BAC, a repeat offense, or pre-trial diversion. One certified installer has a shop right next to the police impound lot, which lets you pick up your car and get the device installed without a second trip; it also has a second location in town. Other providers install nearby through partner garages.
Two things to watch. Some devices in particular are known for draining a car battery when the vehicle sits, and a dead battery logs as a power disconnect that gets reported as possible tampering. A trickle charger prevents it. And a failed reading from mouthwash, spicy food, or a yeasty pastry is explainable only if you rinse with water and re-test within three minutes; a fail followed by the car sitting idle is presumed to be drinking. Unlocking the device after a violation costs $50 to $75.
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.
Last updated: September 7, 2026
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