Administrative License Revocation

The ALR law took effect January 1, 1995. ALR is a civil, administrative process unrelated to criminal court proceedings. Its goal is to get drunk drivers off the road by revoking their driver licenses.

How ALR Works:

A law enforcement officer determines that there is reasonable suspicion to stop a driver and probable cause to arrest the motorist for drunk driving.
If the officer has reason to believe that the driver is impaired, a set of field sobriety tests is administered. If the driver performs poorly, the driver is arrested for DWI.
Once at a police station or sheriff's office, the driver is asked to take a chemical test to measure his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level. This is usually a breath test.
The officer serves the offender with a notice that his driver license will be suspended if he or she refuses to take the test or fails it (registering a .08 BAC or greater).
The officer confiscates the Texas driver license and issues a temporary driving permit.
The offender has 15 days from the date that the suspension notice is received to request a hearing. If no hearing is requested, then the suspension goes into effect on the 40th day after notice was served (usually 40 days after arrest).
The driver pays a $125 fee to reinstate the license after a period of suspension.
The ALR process also applies to individuals arrested for boating while intoxicated (BWI) who refuse to take a chemical test.

Suspension Lengths:

The offender's license is suspended for failing the BAC test for:

90 days, if a first offender;
One year, if previously suspended for failing or refusing the test or previously suspended for DWI, intoxication assault or intoxication manslaughter conviction.

The offender's license is suspended for refusing the BAC test for:

180 days, if a first offender;
Two years, if previously suspended for failing or refusing the test or previously suspended for DWI, or intoxication assault or intoxication manslaughter conviction.