According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS), an occupational or restricted license is a type of provisional license available by court order. Also known as an essential need license, it gives a driver with a suspended license the ability to legally drive from their home to:
- Work
- School
- Essential errands
Applying for an Occupational or Restricted License
If you are legally prohibited from driving due to license suspension, it can make the demands of work, school, and family life difficult. It can be especially trying if you live in a suburban or rural area with little or no access to public transportation.
Obtaining an occupational license can involve a plethora of paperwork and provisions. When you are ready to complete your application, be prepared to provide TxDPS with:
- A certified copy of your petition
- A certified copy of your court order granting the license
- Proof of financial responsibility with an SR-22 certificate
- Proof of that you paid all associated fees (occupational license fee and reinstatement fees)
There May Be a Waiting Period for Your Occupational License
It may help to apply for an occupational license with the help of a lawyer from our firm. Note that the application process is time-consuming and complex. Not every Texan with a suspended license will receive an occupational license—at least, not right away.
Your application might be subject to a waiting period if any of the following apply:
- You had a previous license suspension for a drug or alcohol driving offense. A 3-month waiting period applies.
- Your driver’s license suspension was due to a drug- or alcohol-related conviction. A 6-month waiting period applies.
- You received 2 or more administrative license revocations on your driving record. A 1-year waiting period applies.
In some cases, a judge can issue a waiver for the waiting period.
If refusal of an occupational license would create a hardship for your family, consult the case assessment team at our law firm. A lawyer from our team might be able to help you fight back against a suspended license and build a case that allows you to obtain this specialized license. However, it’s important to understand that occupational licenses are never available for any form of commercial driving.
Our Law Firm Can Assist With Occupational License Applications
One of our criminal defense lawyers might be able to help you apply for an essential license. To complete your application and guide you through the process, our legal team could:
- Prove your need for daily transportation
- Request a hearing or court date
- Represent you at a hearing, if needed
- Help you get the required court order
Depending on the reason for your license suspension, we might be able to help you retain your driving privileges enough to avoid interrupting your career and education.
Why Texas Suspends Driving Privileges
Having a suspended driver’s license for any reason can be a major inconvenience. It can mean using time-consuming public transportation or costly rideshares to maintain your work schedule. It can also make it difficult to transport yourself or your family to and from school or on everyday errands. TxDPS might suspend your driver’s license for:
- DWI (driving while intoxicated)
- A drug offense
- Alcohol- or drug-related manslaughter
- Alcohol- or drug-related assault
- Failure to stop and render aid
- Any felony offense
- Driving without a license
If your driver’s license was revoked for one of these or any other reason and you need it to handle life’s daily travel demands, a lawyer from our firm might be able to help. We understand how the law and the circumstances of your suspension may allow you to obtain a provisional license.
Temporarily Restore Your Suspended Driver’s License
Do you need assistance obtaining a temporary driver’s license to make your family’s daily life easier to manage? Although an occupational or restricted license allows you to meet your needs, it might be difficult to obtain on your own.
With more than 30 years of experience as a former prosecutor and state district judge, Randall B. Isenberg brings a unique perspective to your defense and when helping you get an occupational or restricted license. Contact the criminal defense team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg to get started by calling (214) 696-9253 today.
