Bowie County ALR Hearing Guide

How to request your Administrative License Revocation hearing and protect your driving privileges.

Last verified: January 6, 2026

15-Day Deadline

You have exactly 15 days from your arrest to request an ALR hearing. Miss this deadline and your license is automatically suspended. No exceptions.

Enter your arrest date to see your deadline:

Select arrest date

If You Request in Time

  • • Temporary permit until hearing
  • • Chance to keep your license
  • • Gather evidence for defense

If You Miss the Deadline

  • • Automatic 90-180 day suspension
  • • No hearing, no appeal
  • • Starts 40 days after arrest

How to Request Your Hearing

Fastest Method

Online Request

Fee: $125 (credit card)

Available: 24/7

Instant confirmation

Go to DPS ALR Portal
Alternative

Phone Request

Phone: (512) 424-2600

Fee: $125 (credit card)

Hours: Mon-Fri 8AM - 5PM

Expect long hold times

Information You'll Need

From Your DIC-25 Notice:

  • • Driver License Number
  • • Date of Arrest
  • • Arresting Agency
  • • Arresting Officer Name

Personal Information:

  • • Full Legal Name
  • • Current Address
  • • Date of Birth
  • • Phone Number & Email

After You Request

1

Temporary Permit

Immediate

Drive legally until your hearing

2

Hearing Notice

20-40 days

Date, time, and format mailed to you

3

Prepare Defense

Before hearing

Gather evidence, hire attorney

4

Attend Hearing

Scheduled date

Usually phone or video

5

Decision

Same day

Win: keep license. Lose: suspension starts

What to Expect at the Hearing

Most hearings are by phone or video

You usually don't need to travel to Austin. When you receive your hearing notice, it will specify whether it's phone, video, or in-person.

Duration

30-60 minutes typically

Who's There

You, your attorney (optional), DPS attorney, administrative law judge

What They Review

Probable cause for stop, proper arrest procedure, chemical test validity

Evidence That Can Help

  • Dashcam or bodycam footage showing procedural errors
  • Breathalyzer calibration records (if not current)
  • Witness statements about your sobriety
  • Medical conditions affecting field sobriety tests

For the rare in-person hearings:

State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), 300 W. 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701 • (512) 475-4993

Should You Hire an Attorney?

With an Attorney

  • Can subpoena arresting officer
  • Knows how to challenge evidence
  • Uses hearing to strengthen criminal defense
  • Higher success rate at hearings

Without an Attorney

  • DPS has experienced attorney present
  • May not know proper objections
  • Can't effectively cross-examine officers
  • Lower win rate statistically
Find DWI Attorneys in Bowie County

If You Lose Your Hearing

Losing the ALR hearing isn't the end. You still have options to maintain limited driving privileges:

Ignition Interlock

Drive with device installed

Occupational License

Limited driving for work/essentials

DPS Texarkana Office

For license reinstatement after suspension ends, or to get an occupational license:

Address
4702 Texas Blvd, Texarkana, TX 75503
Get Directions
Phone
(903) 794-3611
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

FAQ

Related Guides

Court Process
Criminal case timeline
Bail & Bond
Getting released

Texas DPS initiates the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) process in Bowie County. If you've been arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in Bowie County, Texas, the clock is ticking on your driver's license. You have only 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing to challenge the suspension of your driver's license.

What is an ALR Hearing?

The ALR hearing is a separate civil proceeding from your criminal DWI case. It determines whether your driver's license will be suspended due to either failing a breath or blood test (BAC of 0.08 or higher) or refusing to submit to testing. Failing to request a hearing within 15 days results in an automatic license suspension.

The 15-Day Deadline is Critical

Missing the 15-day deadline means your license will be automatically suspended on the 40th day after your arrest. The suspension can last for 90 days for a first-time failure and up to 180 days for a refusal. Act quickly to protect your driving privileges.

ALR Hearings are Now Virtual in Bowie County

Hearings for Bowie County arrests are handled by the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) and are conducted via Zoom videoconferencing. While this eliminates the need to travel, you will need a stable internet connection and a device with a camera. The shift to Zoom has made it more difficult to win these hearings on technicalities, as officers can easily testify remotely. While requesting an in-person hearing is possible with "good cause" (like a lack of technological access), it's not the standard procedure.

Reinstating Your License After Suspension

Once your suspension period ends, you'll need to take steps to reinstate your driver's license. This involves a trip to the Texas DPS Driver License office. The Texarkana DPS office is located at 1516 Hampton Road. Appointments are required and can be booked weeks or even months in advance. Be prepared to pay a reinstatement fee (typically around $125) and file an SR-22 form, which demonstrates proof of financial responsibility. Maintaining the SR-22 for two years will also significantly increase your insurance costs.

The Texarkana DPS office is located at 1516 Hampton Road.

Sources

Last updated: January 6, 2026

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