Occupational License

An occupational license is a special restricted license issued to you when your driver license has been suspended or revoked for certain offenses.  An occupational license authorizes the operation of a non-commercial motor vehicle in connection with a person’s occupation, for educational purposes or in the performance of essential household duties. Requests for such licenses are made to the county or district court in the county of the licensee’s residence or to the court of original jurisdiction where the offense occurred.

An occupational driver license authorizes you to operate a non-commercial motor vehicle only in connection with:

  1. Work,
  2. Performance of essential household duties, or
  3. School-related activities

Request an Occupational Driver License

To obtain an occupational driver license, you must petition the Justice of the Peace, County or District court where you currently reside, or the court of original jurisdiction where the offense occurred.

·        Petitioner must reside in Tarrant County or may file in the county where the suspending offense occurred.

·        Petitioner cannot have more than one occupational license within the last 10 years preceding the date of the filing of this petition.

·        Petitioner is eligible if out of state DL was suspended, revoked or canceled.

·        Petitioner can file in county which they reside or the incident leading to suspension/revocation/cancellation occurred. 

Justice Courts DO NOT have jurisdiction over suspension for DWI, medical advisory issues, mental issues or child support issues.

Justice Court Precinct 5’s Filing Fees and Required Documents

 Your application will only be accepted with all the required fees and documents as listed below:

·        $54 filing fee*

·        Occupational Driver’s License Petition

·        A certified abstract (Type AR) of your driver’s license record.

By internet: How to Order a Driver Record

By mail:         Texas Department of Public Safety

                        PO BOX 149008

                        Austin, Texas 78714-9008

·        SR-22 from your insurance company providing proof of current valid auto liability insurance.

·        A copy of the court order that suspended your driver’s license,

·        Proof of Interlock device (if applicable)

·        Proof you need to drive.  Examples of proof: A letter from your employer or immediate supervisor on your employer’s letterhead (or an affidavit) that verifies your work schedule, a current pay stub, school registration with schedule, or your sworn affidavit explaining to the court why you need to drive unless your license is solely based on an intoxication offense under Penal Code 49.04-49.08 and any vehicle you own or operate must be equipped with an interlock device.

*If you receive government assistance you may submit the Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs or an Appeal Bond attached with proof of the government assistance in lieu of the $54 filing fee.

ORDER GRANTING THE OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE

If the court grants the occupational license, you will be issued two certified copies of the order and petition.  One certified copy is to be mailed to the Texas Department of Public Safety.  While the second certified copy is for you to keep in your vehicle(s) while you drive.

The court will notify you by telephone or email of the fees due for the certified copies.

You will also receive the following logs (if applicable):

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These logs must be filed with the Justice of the Peace Court Precinct 5 by 4:00pm on the 1st of every month until the end of your suspension.

You may file your logs as follows:

·        Email: Jp5court.ODLS@tarrantcountytx.gov

·        Fax: (817) 884-3323

·        E-file

Failure to comply with the Justice of the Peace Cour 5 Precinct 5’s order will result in your occupational license being revoked without notice.

It is your responsibility to thoroughly read and adhere to the court’s occupational license order.

This court order is not the occupational driver license. You must submit the court order to the Department along with the other necessary documentation for the issuance of an occupational driver license.

TO OBTAIN YOUR OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE FROM AUSTIN DPS

You must mail the following items within five days from date of the order to avoid delays in processing:

1.     A certified copy of the petition and a certified copy of the court order granting the occupational license;

2.     An original Form SR-22 certificate of insurance.  An insurance card or policy will not be accepted in place of a SR-22.

3.  

Scan the QR code for payment of the occupational license fee, payment of all reinstatement fees, and to check driving eligibility, or mail a money order to the Texas Department of Public Safety. qr code

4.     For more information you may call DPS-Austin 512-424-7180 Español: 512-424-7181 or visit their website

   

DPS mailing address:                       

Enforcement & Compliance Service

Texas Department of Public Safety

P.O. Box 15999

Austin, TX  78761-5999

All required documents, including all fees (if paying by check or money order) should be submitted in one envelope to the mailing address above for processing. You must write your full name, date of birth and driver license number on each document submitted. If you have your suspension notice, please include a copy so your driver record can be identified. Please allow 21 business days for processing.

You should receive your occupational driver license in about 45 days according to Austin DPS. If not, follow up with Austin DPS by calling them at the telephone number provided above.

Denial of Issuance by the Texas Department of Public Safety

An occupational license will be issued once the request is processed, unless one of the following situations applies:

  1. The occupational driver license is requested to operate a commercial motor vehicle. An occupational driver license cannot be issued for purposes of operating a commercial motor vehicle during a period of license suspension, revocation, cancellation, or denial.
  2. The licensee is Revoked-Incapable or Deny-Incapable due to a medical advisory board case.
  3. The licensee is Revoked-Delinquent Child Support in Texas or any other state pursuant to Family Code 232.011.