Bexar County License Hearing Guide

Texas DPS requires ALR hearing requests within 15 calendar days from the date of your DWI arrest in Bexar County. This deadline is absolute and unforgiving.

The 15-Day ALR Hearing Request Deadline in Bexar County

If you are arrested for DWI in Bexar County, the officer will seize your physical driver's license and issue you a DIC-25, which serves as a temporary driving permit. You ALSO will be read a DIC-24 Statutory Warning. To prevent your license from being automatically suspended 40 days after your arrest, you must request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing within 15 days of the arrest date.

Consequence of Missing the Deadline: Failure to request this hearing within 15 days will result in the automatic suspension of your driver's license, regardless of the outcome of your criminal case.

How to Request Your ALR Hearing:

Requests cannot be dropped off at local DPS or SOAH offices; they must be directed to ALR division headquarters in Austin. You can request an ALR hearing via:

• Online portal (no URL provided)
• Fax: 512-424-2650
• Certified Mail: P.O. Box 4040, Austin, TX 78765-4040

A timely request for an ALR hearing stays the suspension, allowing the temporary driving permit (DIC-25) to remain valid beyond 40 days until a final decision is reached.

The Bexar County ALR Hearing Process

ALR hearings are managed by the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), not DPS. The hearings themselves are held virtually via Zoom videoconference. The Zoom link for your specific hearing will be included in the formal "Notice of Hearing" letter mailed by DPS.

The Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing is conducted virtually via Zoom. Hearings can take 3 to 6 months (or up to 120 days) to be scheduled due to SOAH backlogs.

If the officer's testimony is needed, a subpoena is issued and a $10 fee is prepared.

Occupational Driver's Licenses (ODL) in Bexar County

If you lose your ALR hearing (or face a license suspension due to a DWI conviction), you may be eligible for an Occupational Driver's License (ODL) to legally drive during your suspension.

To be granted an ODL, you must demonstrate an "essential need" to drive. This includes travel to/from work, school, and essential household duties (groceries, medical appointments).

Bexar County courts frequently utilize the "Logbook" restriction model rather than rigid hours for ODLs. Instead of specifying exact driving hours, the court will order you to maintain a physical logbook in your vehicle. You must record the date, start time, destination, reason for the trip, and end time for every journey. During a traffic stop, you must present this logbook to the officer. This model provides flexibility for those with variable work schedules or unpredictable family needs.

The filing fee paid to the county ($247) is non-refundable, even if the judge denies the petition.

Local DPS Office in Bexar County

The primary hub for driver license services in the region is the San Antonio Mega Center, located at Rolling Oaks Mall, 6909 North Loop 1604 E, Suite 1199, San Antonio, Texas 78247. You can contact them at (210) 731-2130. They are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Services are primarily "Appointment Only."