Texas DUI Laws

Administrative License Revocation (ALR) Laws involve license suspension or revocation following conviction for impaired driving. ALR laws give state officials the authority to immediately suspend the license of any driver who fails or refuses to take a BAC test. Some states may restore driving privileges on a limited basis due to demonstrated hardship, as determined by the courts. Depending on the state, suspensions range from seven days to six months for first-time offenders and longer for repeat offenders. As of December 2004, 40 states and the District of Columbia had adopted some form of ALR laws.

Repeat Intoxicated Driver Laws establish a minimum penalty for individuals convicted of a second or subsequent offense for driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence. Laws require a minimum of one-year driver’s license suspension; expect that all motor vehicles of repeat intoxicated drivers be impounded or immobilized for a specified period during the license suspension period, or require the installation of an ignition interlock system on all motor vehicles of such drivers for a specified period after the suspension is completed; ensure the mandatory assessment of the offender’s degree of alcohol abuse and referral to treatment as appropriate; and establish a mandatory minimum sentence.

Vehicle and License Plate Sanctions affect the vehicles or license plates of DUI/DWI offenders. Actions states can take include the following. As of March 2005, 44 states had laws that can affect the vehicles or vehicle plates of offenders. Check with a State Department of Transportation to determine the exact nature of the laws in its jurisdiction.