Travis County ALR Hearing Guide

Texas DPS requires ALR hearing requests within 15 calendar days of your DWI arrest in Travis County. Missing this deadline results in automatic license suspension, regardless of the status of your criminal case.

What is an ALR Hearing in Travis County?

An ALR (Administrative License Revocation) hearing is a civil proceeding, separate from your criminal DWI case, that determines whether your driver's license will be suspended due to a DWI arrest. In Travis County, these hearings are conducted by the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) acts as the prosecutor, attempting to prove the legal basis for suspending your license.

Travis County: Zoom is the Default Format

ALR hearings in Travis County are now primarily conducted virtually via Zoom videoconference. This means you will likely attend your hearing from your computer or smartphone, not in a physical courtroom. The "location" of your hearing will be a digital meeting ID, rather than a physical address.

Getting Your Zoom Link

The Zoom Meeting ID, Passcode, and dial-in instructions will be included in a Scheduling Order issued by the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This order is sent to the address you provided on your hearing request. It is crucial to ensure DPS and SOAH have your correct mailing address. If you provided an email address, the link will be delivered electronically. If not, it will be sent via standard mail. If you have moved since your arrest, update your address immediately to avoid missing the link and forfeiting your hearing.

Travis County Hearing Location (If Applicable)

While most hearings are virtual, should an in-person hearing be necessary, it would be held at the William P. Clements Building, located at 300 W. 15th Street, Suite 504, Austin, TX 78701. Note that this is NOT the DPS office or the Travis County Courthouse.

How to Request an ALR Hearing in Travis County

You can request a hearing online through the DPS website, or by mailing the request. To hand-deliver your request in Travis County, go to the DPS Headquarters at 5805 N. Lamar Blvd, Building A, Austin, TX 78752. Be sure to get your document stamped as "Received". There is no "drop box" for after-hours filing.

The "Discovery Packet" & Costs

Contrary to a common myth, there isn't a flat "$50 Discovery Fee" for the police report and dashcam footage. However, you will likely incur costs to obtain all the evidence. While basic documents like the DIC-23 (Sworn Report), DIC-24 (Statutory Warning), and the narrative offense report are usually provided upon request, securing the presence of the arresting officer requires a subpoena and a $10.00 witness fee. Furthermore, obtaining digital evidence like Body Worn Camera and In-Car Video often requires paying fees to the arresting agency (e.g., Austin Police Department). Video fees can be approximately $10.00 per recording plus $1.00 per minute of body-worn camera footage.

Temporary Permits and the DIC-25

The "Notice of Suspension and Temporary Driving Permit" (DIC-25) serves as your driver's license immediately upon issuance following a DWI arrest in Travis County. The permit is valid for 40 days from the date of arrest. If you request an ALR hearing, the validity of the permit is automatically extended beyond the 40 days, and remains valid until a final decision. Keep a copy of your hearing request and certified mail receipt with the DIC-25.

Occupational Driver's License (ODL) in Travis County

If you lose your ALR hearing or are convicted of DWI, resulting in a license suspension, you may be eligible for an Occupational Driver's License (ODL) in Travis County. This restricted license allows you to drive for "essential needs" such as work, school, or household duties. Travis County courts generally enforce a hybrid system with both a fixed schedule and a mandatory logbook. Driving is often limited to 4 hours in any 24-hour period, and judges will need to see justification to drive up to 12 hours in any 24-hour period. All Travis County ODL orders require the maintenance of a Logbook.

To hand-deliver your ALR hearing request in Travis County, go to the DPS Headquarters at 5805 N. Lamar Blvd, Building A, Austin, TX 78752 during regular business hours.