- Classification: Civil / Administrative (not a criminal charge — but happens automatically after DWI arrest)
- Jail exposure: No jail — this is a civil license action
- Maximum fine: No criminal fine
- License: 90-day suspension (test failure, first offense) or 180-day suspension (refusal, first offense)
- ⚠️ 15-day deadline from arrest to request a hearing — missing it = automatic suspension on day 40
What ALR Is — and Why It Matters Right Now
ALR stands for Administrative License Revocation. It is not a criminal charge — it is a civil action initiated by Texas DPS automatically when a driver is arrested for DWI and either fails a breath/blood test or refuses to take one. The ALR process runs completely parallel to the criminal case and is governed by different rules, a different tribunal (the State Office of Administrative Hearings), and different timelines.
You have exactly 15 calendar days from the date of your DWI arrest to request an ALR hearing. This deadline includes weekends and holidays. Miss it and your license is automatically suspended starting on day 40 from arrest — no hearing, no appeal, no second chance at this particular filing window. Your attorney handles this filing immediately on retention.
What Happens If You Request the Hearing
- The automatic suspension is put on hold — you continue driving legally while the ALR case is pending
- Your attorney can subpoena the arresting officer to testify under oath at the hearing — early sworn testimony that may expose weaknesses in the criminal case
- ALR hearings are held at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) — not at your county courthouse
- The hearing itself typically occurs 30–120 days after the request is filed
Suspension Periods by Outcome
Occupational Driver’s License During Suspension
If the suspension proceeds, an Occupational Driver’s License (ODL) may be available — a restricted license allowing essential driving (work, school, medical). An ODL requires a court order, a separate filing fee, and compliance with conditions including ignition interlock. It is a partial remedy, not a full solution. Preventing the suspension through a successful ALR hearing is always preferable.