Starr 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 Starr 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

Texas DPS requires ALR hearing requests within 15 calendar days of your DUI arrest in Starr County. Missing this deadline results in an automatic suspension of your driver's license. This is separate from any criminal proceedings related to your DUI charge. The ALR hearing is an administrative process to determine if your driving privileges should be suspended.

What is an ALR Hearing?

An Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing is your opportunity to challenge the suspension of your driver's license following a DUI arrest. It is crucial to understand that this hearing is not about your guilt or innocence in the DUI case itself but focuses on whether the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) had sufficient grounds to suspend your license.

Why is the 15-Day Deadline So Important?

Because Starr County is located within the "100-mile border zone," law enforcement is heavily saturated. The high security presence creates a "psychological friction" for residents, who feel constantly monitored. For a DUI defendant, the abundance of law enforcement means that "driving under the radar" is nearly impossible. That is why you need to preserve your driving privileges by requesting a hearing.

If you fail to request a hearing within 15 calendar days of your DUI arrest, your license will automatically be suspended. There are very limited exceptions to this rule. Therefore, acting quickly is essential.

How to Request an ALR Hearing in Starr County

While specific online request procedures may be available through the DPS website, given the demographic realities of Starr County, it is advisable to confirm procedures via phone. Spanish is the primary language for many residents, so ensure that any request method is accessible and understandable.

You can attempt to make your request by phone at the main DPS number.

Potential Issues in Starr County ALR Hearings

Several factors unique to Starr County could influence your ALR hearing:

  • Language Barriers: If Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) were administered in broken Spanish, or if you have limited English proficiency, the validity of the "clues" observed by the officer during these tests could be challenged. This is a critical point to raise at your ALR hearing.
  • Checkpoint Stops: A common DUI scenario involves a driver being stopped at a Border Patrol checkpoint. The time between the initial stop and the arrival of a state peace officer can be significant, allowing for a "rising blood alcohol" defense. This should be explored as part of your ALR defense.
  • Road Conditions: Given the region's soil composition ("cracking clay" and "Reynosa silty clay loam"), the condition of rural roads can complicate Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs). If the tests were conducted on an uneven surface, this could impact the reliability of the results.
  • DL Confiscation: The police often confiscate the driver's license during the DUI arrest. The defendant is left with a paper temporary permit or a confiscation form.

Occupational License

If your license is suspended, you may be eligible for an occupational license, which allows you to drive for essential purposes like work, school, or medical appointments. Given the limited public transportation options in Starr County, an occupational license is often critical for maintaining employment and fulfilling basic needs.

Sources

Last updated: January 6, 2026

24/7 Legal Support

Need a DUI Attorney in Starr County?

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

Talk To An Attorney