Wharton 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 13, 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
Seasoned DWI defense attorneys treat the ALR hearing as a dry run for the actual criminal trial, not just a fight over the license. Subpoenaing the arresting deputy or trooper to testify at the administrative hearing, months before the criminal case gets anywhere near trial, locks their account of the traffic stop and the field sobriety tests into the record under oath. Inconsistencies that surface there get used to impeach the officer later in county or district court, whether or not the license fight itself succeeds.
The 15-day deadline
The clock starts the day the Notice of Suspension is served, almost always the date of arrest when the officer confiscates the physical license. Miss the 15-day window and the request is automatically denied, with the suspension taking effect on day 40. Faxing the request to Texas DPS's ALR line at 512-424-2650 produces an immediate transmission receipt, which is worth more than mailing it and hoping it arrives in time. The online DPS portal works too. There's no fee to request the hearing itself.
Where hearings happen
The State Office of Administrative Hearings runs the hearing, and the format varies: virtual, telephonic, or in person at a regional office depending on scheduling.
DPS office visits require planning ahead
Anything requiring an in-person DPS visit, an occupational license after a suspension takes effect, or an SR-22 update, runs strictly by appointment. Walk-ins get turned away, and the limited same-day slots fill fast each morning. Checking the online scheduler first thing, or handling what can be done through the online renewal system instead, avoids the wasted trip.
Last updated: September 13, 2026
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