Q: How can I get around Austin if my driver's license has been suspended?

A: If your license has been suspended, an attorney can help you obtain an occupational driver's license, usually within a few days. This restricted license allows you to drive a non-commercial vehicle up to 12 hours per day, six days per week and is sometimes referred to as an "ODL" or "essential need license."

With an occupational driver's license, you can legally drive to work, to school, and wherever else you need in order to perform essential household duties. The last category is fairly broad and can include activities such as grocery shopping, taking your children to school, taking a household member to the doctor, and so forth.

I can help you get an occupational license if your license was suspended for an offense in Travis County or if you simply live in Travis County and your license was suspended for a violation elsewhere. An occupational license for an ALR suspension is included as part of my representation package on a DWI.

The typical procedure is as follows:

1. We will discuss the specifics of your situation then I will prepare and present a petition to the appropriate court, asking the court to grant you an occupational license. Depending on the facts of your case, the Court may require you to keep a log of your travels, attend alcohol counseling, or outfit your vehicle with an ignition interlock device.
2. You will purchase SR-22 insurance coverage* to obtain an SR-22 proof of insurance certificate. This form certifies both that you have liability insurance and that the insurance company will notify DPS if the coverage lapses. Sometimes the court requires that I provide a copy of the SR-22 certificate with the petition.

   *Hint: Telling your regular insurance company that your license was suspended may result in your rates being raised. If that's a concern, I can recommend a company that specializes in providing SR-22 coverage.

3. I will provide you with two copies of the court order granting you an occupational license. You can use one of them to legally drive for 30 days. This should be plenty of time to obtain an occupational license card from DPS (see the next step below).
4. You will provide the other copy of the court order, the SR-22 certificate, and DPS form SR-37 to DPS along with a $10 license fee and, depending on the nature of the suspension, another $100 to $125 "reinstatement fee." I can help verify that you have the correct documents and amounts before you submit them to DPS. DPS will then provide you with an occupational license card, which you will use for the duration of the suspension: