The main ways Texas suspends your license
Texas suspends driver's licenses for two broad categories of reasons: traffic-related violations and non-traffic issues. The most common traffic reason is accumulating too many points from moving violations within a set time frame — typically 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 24 months, or 24 points in 36 months. A single serious violation like reckless driving or driving with a suspended license can also trigger suspension on its own.
Non-traffic suspensions happen when you fail to pay court fines, miss a court date, don't pay child support, or accumulate unpaid traffic tickets. Texas also suspends licenses for failing a drug test ordered by the court, refusing a breath or blood test during a DWI stop, or being convicted of certain drug offenses. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) handles all license suspensions and maintains the record of why yours was suspended.
Key Takeaways
- Accumulating 12 or more points from moving violations within 12 months is the most common reason for suspension in Texas.
- Unpaid traffic fines, missed court dates, and failure to pay child support can all result in suspension even without a conviction.
- DWI-related suspensions happen automatically after a failed or refused breath test, separate from any criminal conviction.
- You can check your suspension status and reason through the Texas DPS website or by calling their driver record section.
- Suspension length varies from 30 days to several years depending on the reason and whether it is your first or repeat suspension.
How points accumulate and trigger suspension
Every moving violation in Texas carries a point value assigned by DPS. Speeding 1 to 10 miles over the limit is 1 point; speeding 11 to 20 miles over is 2 points; speeding more than 20 miles over is 3 points. Running a red light, improper lane change, and failure to yield are each 2 points. Reckless driving is 4 points. At-fault accidents are 3 points each.
Once you reach 12 points in any 12-month period, DPS will suspend your license for 30 days. If you accumulate 18 points in 24 months, suspension is 60 days. Reaching 24 points in 36 months results in a 90-day suspension. These thresholds reset based on the date of each violation, not the date you were convicted. A conviction that happened months after the violation still counts toward the period when the violation occurred.
You can reduce points by taking a defensive driving course, which removes up to 3 points from your record. You can take the course once every 12 months, and only if you have not taken it in the past 12 months. The course must be approved by the Texas Education Agency. Taking the course does not erase the violation from your record — it only removes the points.
Suspension for unpaid fines and court failures
If you receive a traffic ticket and do not pay the fine by the important date, or if you fail to appear in court on the date listed on your ticket, Texas will suspend your license. You do not need to be convicted of anything. The suspension stays in place until you pay the fine in full, appear in court, or resolve the ticket through a payment plan or other arrangement with the court.
The court that issued the ticket has the power to lift the suspension once payment is made or the case is resolved. You cannot straightforward pay DPS to remove this type of suspension — you must deal with the court directly. If you received a ticket in one county but moved to another, you still need to resolve it in the county where you were ticketed.
Child support arrears also trigger license suspension. If you fall behind on court-ordered child support payments, the Texas Attorney General's office can request that DPS suspend your license. This suspension remains until you bring your payments current or reach an agreement with the child support office.
DWI-related suspensions and breath test refusals
A DWI arrest in Texas triggers an automatic administrative license suspension (ALS) separate from any criminal case. If you failed a breath or blood test, your license is suspended for 120 days on a first offense. If you refused the test, the suspension is 180 days. These suspensions begin 40 days after your arrest, giving you a window to request a hearing to contest the suspension.
The suspension happens through the Texas DPS administrative process, not through the criminal court. Even if you are later found not guilty of DWI in court, the administrative suspension can still stand. Conversely, you can be suspended administratively even if the criminal case is dismissed. A DWI conviction in criminal court adds additional penalties on top of the administrative suspension.
If you refused a breath or blood test, you have the right to request a hearing within 15 days of your arrest to challenge the suspension. The hearing is held before a DPS hearing officer, not a judge. You can represent yourself or hire an attorney. If you do not request a hearing within 15 days, the suspension becomes final.
Drug-related suspensions and other criminal convictions
Conviction of certain drug offenses results in automatic license suspension. A conviction for possession of a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, or driving under the influence of drugs triggers a mandatory suspension. The length varies: possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana results in a 180-day suspension; possession of other drugs results in a one-year suspension; delivery or trafficking results in a two-year suspension.
These suspensions are imposed by the court at sentencing and reported to DPS. You cannot reduce or remove them through a defensive driving course or other means. The only way to restore your license is to wait out the suspension period or petition the court for early restoration, which is granted only in limited circumstances.
Certain other criminal convictions also carry license suspension, including felony convictions involving a motor vehicle, conviction for vehicular assault, and conviction for driving with a suspended or revoked license. The court imposes these suspensions as part of sentencing.
How long suspensions last and what happens after
Suspension length depends on the reason and your history. A first suspension for points is 30 days. A second suspension within five years is 60 days. A third or subsequent suspension within five years is 90 days. DWI administrative suspensions are 120 days for a failed test or 180 days for a refusal on a first offense. Subsequent DWI suspensions are longer.
Suspensions for unpaid fines or missed court dates have no set end date — they remain in place until you resolve the underlying issue. Once the fine is paid or the court case is resolved, the court notifies DPS and the suspension is lifted, usually within a few business days.
After your suspension period ends, your license is automatically restored. You do not need to reapply or pay a fee to DPS. However, if you have multiple suspensions or if your license was revoked rather than suspended, restoration may require additional steps or a waiting period.
Checking your suspension status and reason
You can check whether your Texas license is currently suspended through the DPS website at dps.texas.gov. Click on "Driver License" and then "Check Your Driving Record." You will need to provide your license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The record will show any active suspensions and the reason for each one.
You can also call the DPS Driver License Division at 1-888-589-6556 to ask about your suspension status. Have your license number and date of birth ready. The phone line can tell you whether your license is suspended and why, but cannot process payments or resolve court matters.
If you believe your suspension is in error, or if you have paid a fine but the suspension has not been lifted, contact the court that issued the ticket or the agency that reported the suspension. DPS does not make the decision to suspend — they carry out suspensions ordered by courts or other agencies. The court or agency must request that DPS lift the suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a suspended license to work or school?
Texas allows limited driving privileges during a suspension in some cases, but only by court order. You must petition the court that suspended your license and show hardship — typically loss of employment or inability to reach medical care. The court may grant an "occupational license" that allows driving to and from work, school, or medical appointments only. This is not automatic and requires a separate legal process.
What is the difference between suspension and revocation?
Suspension is temporary; your license will be restored after the suspension period ends or the underlying issue is resolved. Revocation is permanent, and you must wait a set period (usually one to five years) before you can reapply for a new license. Revocation typically results from multiple suspensions, habitual traffic offender status, or serious criminal convictions.
If I move out of Texas, does my suspension follow me?
Yes. Texas suspensions are reported to the National Driver Register, which all states can access. If you move to another state and try to get a license there, the new state will see your Texas suspension and will not issue a license until the suspension is resolved. You must resolve the suspension in Texas even if you no longer live there.
Can I get my points reduced without taking a defensive driving course?
No. Defensive driving is the only way to reduce points on your record in Texas. You can take an approved course once every 12 months and remove up to 3 points each time. Some insurance companies also offer discounts for completing the course, though the discount is separate from the point reduction.
How do I know if my license is currently suspended?
Check the DPS website at dps.texas.gov using your license number, date of birth, and last four digits of your Social Security number. You can also call 1-888-589-6556. If you are stopped by police, they will tell you when ready whether your license is suspended and why.