Driving with a suspended driver’s license in Texas can lead to penalties. However, these penalties are determined by the circumstances of your DWI case. A license suspension may be as a result of you refusing to take a chemical test or because you were convicted of a DWI. Since driving while your license is suspended is a misdemeanor, you may face the following penalties:
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- Fines between $100 and $500
- 3 days to a 180-day jail sentence
These punishments can be probated. You may face harsher punishments if it’s your second time getting caught driving with a suspended license.
Why Your Driver’s License May Be Suspended
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Apart from a DWI arrest or conviction, there are many other reasons for suspension or revocation of your license. These include:
- A convicting for racing on a highway
- When you are arrested for using a fake ID or letting someone use your ID
- Being convicted of vehicular homicide
- Refusing an alcohol test when you are pulled over by an officer
- Driving without car insurance
- Failure to pay traffic tickets
There are many other reasons why your license may be suspended.
What To Do If Your License Is Suspended
People whose drivers’ licenses have been suspended can apply for an occupational driver’s license (ODL). An ODL is also referred to as an essential need license, which basically means that it is a restricted license. To get it, you must petition the Justice of Peace, the court of original jurisdiction where you did the offense or the district or county court where you live.
The court will review your petition and issue a signed court order if you are eligible for ODL. The order is not an ODL. You have to submit the order to the Department with other required documentation and then you will receive the occupational driver’s license.
What Is Are The Limitations Of An Occupational Driver’s License?
Unlike a normal driver’s license, an ODL is only meant to help you do basic things like:
- Driving to and from work
- Taking your children to and from school
- Going to a religious service
- Traveling to the grocery store
- Going to a medical facility for treatment
This means that you cannot use your ODL to go for a road trip or travel to other events that are not viewed as necessary. Another restriction that comes with an ODL is you have to install an alcohol interlock device on your vehicle. All these restrictions can greatly impact the quality of your life.
So, talk to an experienced DWI attorney to fight aggressively to get your license back.
How Does Driving With A Suspended License Affect Insurance?
People with suspended licenses already face higher monthly insurance payments because they are considered high-risk drivers. Getting arrested for driving with a suspended license will appear in your records, which means your insurer will be able to access that information.
This means that your insurance rates may increase significantly after being convicted of a traffic crime. Sometimes your insurer may not renew your auto insurance. Finding an insurer willing to insure you will be difficult too.