Texas Occupational Driver License (ODL)

Experienced DWI Defense in Tarrant County, and the Greater Dallas – Fort Worth Area

Driving while intoxicated(DWI) is one of the most common criminal offenses in Tarrant County and  throughout Texas. Even if you are never convicted, you could still face harsh consequences like a potential driver license suspension. Luckily, an Occupational Driver License (ODL) could provide you the opportunity to retain your necessary driving privileges while an experienced DWI lawyer fights your case.

What Is an Occupational Driver's License?

An occupational driver license is a restricted license that allows you to drive a vehicle after your license has been suspended or revoked. (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.242(a)). 

The two types of Occupational Driver Licenses in Texas are:

1. Essential Needs ODL, which restricts driving to limited necessary purposes, hours, and locations; and 
2. Deep Lung Device ODL, which requires a person to install an ignition interlock device in the vehicle, but does not mandate other restrictions like the Essential Needs ODL. 

Occupational Driver's License Eligibility

Generally, anyone whose license has been suspended is eligible for an Occupational Driver License. However, you are ineligible for an Occupational Driver License if:

1. You drive on a commercial driver license (CDL) (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.242(a)).;
2. Your driver license was suspended because of a physical or mental disability (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.242(f)).; or
3. You have been issued an ODL within the last 10 years following a DWI conviction (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.242(b)(2)). 

Occupational Driver's License Waiting Period

Generally, first-time offenders are immediately eligible for an Occupational Driver License (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.251); otherwise, there may a waiting period depending on the type of occupational driver license you apply for.

There may be a waiting period for an Essential Needs ODL if you have had a prior alcohol or drug related contact or conviction, such as:

1. 91-day waiting period if your driver license had been suspended as a result of an alcohol or drug related contact within the previous 5 years (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.251(b)).
2. 181-day waiting period if your driver license had been suspended as a result of an alcohol or drug related conviction with the previous 5 years (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.251(c)).
3. 1-year waiting period if your driver license was suspended due to a second alcohol or drug related conviction within the previous 5 years (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.251(d)).

There is no waiting period for a Deep Lung Device ODL, even if you would otherwise have one for an Essential Needs ODL (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.251(d-1)). 

Occupational Driver's License Waiting Period

Generally, first-time offenders are immediately eligible for an Occupational Driver License (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.251); otherwise, there may be a waiting period depending on the type of occupational driver license you apply for.

There may be a waiting period for an Essential Needs ODL if you have had a prior alcohol- or drug-related contact or conviction, such as:

1. 91-day waiting period if your driver license had been suspended as a result of an alcohol- or drug-related contact within the previous 5 years (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.251(b)).
2. 181-day waiting period if your driver license had been suspended as a result of an alcohol- or drug-related conviction within the previous 5 years (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.251(c)).
3. 1-year waiting period if your driver license was suspended due to a second alcohol- or drug-related conviction within the previous 5 years (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.251(d)).

There is no waiting period for a Deep Lung Device ODL, even if you would otherwise have one for an Essential Needs ODL (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.251(d-1)). 

What Do I Do Next? 

If you are facing a DWI driver license suspension, you need aggressive criminal defense representation. The experienced Tarrant County DWI Defense Lawyers with Sloane Law Firm are here to protect you! 

Our DWI Defense Lawyers have helped hundreds of clients fight driver license suspensions and obtain Occupational Driver Licenses in Tarrant County and throughout the greater Dallas – Fort Worth Area, such as: