Each state will say that driving is a “privilege,” not a right, and Texas is no exception. Like all other states, here in Texas if you get too many moving violations, your driver license will be suspended for a period of time to punish you for your poor driving habits. What is a moving violation exactly? It can be several things. It can be running a red light, speeding, blowing or rolling through a stop sign, passing a stopped school bus, or changing lanes without using your blinkers – you get the picture. Any traffic violation that occurs while you are driving. Parking tickets do not count.
In Texas, a person’s driver license can be suspended if:
- The driver is convicted of four or more moving violations within 12 months.
- The driver is convicted of seven or more moving violations within 24 months.
Can I Contest My Suspension?
In some cases, people are able to request a hearing where they can contest their driver license suspension, but they need to submit their request within 20 days. If a driver submits a hearing request within the mandatory 20-day period, it could take up to 120 days for their hearing to be scheduled. If a request is made after the 20-day window, it will be denied and the person will receive a notice in the mail about the denial. “But what if my license is suspended or revoked?” If you fail to schedule the hearing, or if you lose at the hearing and your license is suspended or revoked, you may be eligible for an occupational license, which if approved, would allow you to drive to and from work, it would allow you to drive for school-related activities, and it would let you drive while performing essential household duties, such as grocery shopping.
You Need to Be Able to Drive
Let’s face it, Texas is a big place and it’s nearly impossible to survive without a driver license. If you’re facing a license suspension because you have too many tickets or because of a DWI arrest, we urge you to contact our firm to meet with a Plano criminal defense attorney for professional, legal assistance.
