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What Happens If You Miss the ALR Deadline in Texas?
- becoolwithbob
- Jan 7
- 3 min read
Missing the 15-Day ALR Deadline Can Cost You Your Driver’s License
After a DWI arrest in Houston, most people focus on the criminal charge — court dates, fines, and whether jail time is possible. What many don’t realize is that your driver’s license is already at risk, and a critical deadline is ticking in the background.
In Texas, you have 15 days from the date of your DWI arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing. Missing this deadline can result in an automatic driver’s license suspension, even if your criminal DWI case is later dismissed.
As a Houston DWI defense attorney, I regularly meet people who contact me after this deadline has already passed — and unfortunately, the consequences can be difficult to undo.
What Is the ALR Deadline in Texas?
The ALR deadline is a strict 15-day window that begins on the date of arrest, not the date you receive paperwork in the mail.
If you were arrested for DWI and:
Refused a breath or blood test, or
Failed a chemical test with a BAC of 0.08 or higher
You must request an ALR hearing within 15 days or the Texas Department of Public Safety will automatically suspend your license.
This deadline applies statewide, including Houston and Harris County.
What Happens If You Miss the ALR Deadline?
If the 15-day ALR deadline is missed, several things happen automatically:
Your driver’s license suspension goes into effect
You lose the right to challenge the suspension
You lose the opportunity to question the arresting officer under oath
You lose early leverage in the criminal DWI case
There is no automatic extension and no guaranteed way to reverse the suspension once the deadline has passed.
How Long Will Your License Be Suspended?
The length of the suspension depends on the reason for the ALR action.
Breath or Blood Test Refusal
First refusal: up to 180 days
Second or subsequent refusal: up to 2 years
Breath or Blood Test Failure
First failure: up to 90 days
Second or subsequent failure: up to 1 year
These suspensions occur independently of the criminal DWI case and can affect work, family obligations, and daily life.
Can You Still Drive If You Miss the ALR Deadline?
In some cases, drivers may be eligible for an Occupational Driver’s License, which allows limited driving for work, school, or essential needs.
However:
It is not automatic
It requires court approval
It does not undo the suspension
It often comes with restrictions
Missing the ALR deadline makes this process more complicated and limits available options.
Why the ALR Hearing Is So Important — Even Beyond Your License
Many people assume the ALR hearing is only about driving privileges. In reality, it often plays a critical role in the entire DWI defense strategy.
The ALR hearing provides an opportunity to:
Question the arresting officer early
Preserve testimony
Identify weaknesses in the traffic stop
Examine how field sobriety tests were administered
Learn how chemical testing evidence will be presented
This information often becomes essential later in the criminal case.
Common Reasons People Miss the ALR Deadline
Some of the most common reasons I see include:
Not understanding the paperwork
Believing the criminal case comes first
Assuming refusal avoids consequences
Waiting too long to speak with an attorney
Not realizing the deadline runs from the date of arrest
Unfortunately, the law does not make exceptions for misunderstandings.
What Houston Drivers Should Take Away From This
The most important takeaway is this:
Missing the ALR deadline can cause long-term consequences that extend far beyond a single traffic stop.
The ALR process moves quickly, and early action can preserve options that are otherwise lost.
Learn More About Protecting Your Driver’s License After a DWI Arrest
If you’ve been arrested for DWI in Houston or Harris County and are unsure whether the ALR deadline has passed, understanding your situation sooner rather than later can make a meaningful difference.
For a step-by-step explanation of the ALR process, visit our Houston DWI ALR hearing guide.For a broader overview of what happens after arrest, see our complete Houston DWI defense guide.
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