Surcharges and Texas DPS Driver's License Suspensions

I receive calls frequently about Texas Surcharges -- "what are they, how did I get them, and why is my license now suspended?"  Aside my those preliminary questions, the next set of inquiries is typically more important:

How can I legally Drive or Reinstate my License?

Can I reduce my Surcharge payments?


Read on for the answers and more information on Texas Surcharges and Driver's License Suspensions.

Texas Surcharges, otherwise known as the Texas Driver Responsibility Surcharge 'Program,' is a non-criminal (meaning not considered a 'punishment') fee that arises from any number of tickets or driving offenses in Texas.  In fact, the Surcharge fees have expanded to non-driving offenses, including drug charges and convictions.

DPS has a fairly decent Surcharge website, available at https://www.txsurchargeonline.com, on which you can view surcharges and FAQs.  But in a nutshell, Texas Surcharges mean that if you're convicted of a traffic offense, you will incur three years of surcharges.  For instance, for a Driving while License Invalid or Driving while License Suspended ticket (DWLI or DWLS), if convicted, you'll pay about $300 a year for three years -- on top of any court costs and fines.  Check with DPS for the current Surcharge Fees, since they can change.

Here's the kicker; if you don't pay the surcharge, DPS will suspend your Driver's License.

So how can you avoid license suspensions and drive legally if you owe Surcharges?  There are two main ways to drive legally if you owe high amounts of surcharges that you cannot pay off:

1) Contact DPS (who will put you in touch with MSB) to get on a payment plan for your surcharges. Within a couple days after establishing your payment plan, you're license will be reinstated (once Reinstatement Fees are also paid).  **HOWEVER, this method only works if you have NO OTHER suspensions on your Texas Driver's License.  If you have any other current suspensions, then your Driver's License will still be suspended.

2) Contact the Law Office of Robert Keates about an Occupational License.  An Occupational License allows you to drive legally during a suspension period, and (the best part) you do not need to have your Surcharges paid off to have one.

Check out http://keateslawfirm.com/practiceareas/driverslicense/hardshiplicense.php for more information, or contact us directly at 512-216-3211.