Brazoria 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 Brazoria 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

Texas DPS Office

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

Address
4000 Jackson Ave, Austin, TX 78731
Get Directions
Phone
(281) 219-4500
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

FAQ

Related Guides

Court Process
Criminal case timeline
Bail & Bond
Getting released

The most critical deadline in the entire Brazoria County DWI defense timeline is the 15-day window to request an ALR hearing.

Brazoria County ALR Hearings: Protecting Your License After a DWI

If you have been arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in Brazoria County, Texas, you face not only criminal charges, but also a potential driver's license suspension through the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) process. This is a separate civil matter handled by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and it's crucial to act quickly to protect your driving privileges. Failure to request an ALR hearing within 15 days of your arrest will result in an automatic suspension of your driver's license, beginning on the 40th day after your arrest.

Think of the ALR process as a "shadow prosecution," running parallel to your criminal case. The outcome of your criminal case does not affect the ALR process. You must proactively contest the license suspension to avoid losing your driving privileges, even if you plan to fight the DWI charges in court.

Given Brazoria County's vast geographic footprint and the importance of a vehicle for work and daily life, especially in areas with limited public transportation, maintaining your driver's license is critical.

What is an ALR Hearing?

An ALR hearing is your opportunity to challenge the suspension of your driver's license. At the hearing, the DPS must prove:

  • You were lawfully arrested for DWI.
  • You had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, OR you refused to take a breath or blood test.

You (or your attorney) can present evidence and cross-examine witnesses to challenge the DPS's case.

Why Request an ALR Hearing?

Requesting an ALR hearing accomplishes several things:

  • It prevents automatic suspension: It stops the automatic suspension of your license 40 days after your arrest.
  • It buys you time: It allows you to continue driving while you wait for the hearing, which can sometimes take several weeks or months to be scheduled. The deep dive data indicated a 120-day delay for hearing scheduling.
  • It provides discovery: It gives you (or your attorney) an opportunity to gather information about the DPS's case against you, including police reports and breath/blood test results.
  • It allows for negotiation: It may provide an opportunity to negotiate with the DPS to avoid a license suspension.

The 15-Day Deadline: Act Now!

You only have 15 calendar days from the date of your arrest to request an ALR hearing. This is a strict deadline, and there are no exceptions. Missing this deadline means your license will be automatically suspended. Given the operational friction in Brazoria County's DWI processing, specifically the geographic challenges of travelling between municipalities and Angleton, this deadline is especially crucial. Do not delay in contacting an attorney.

How to Request an ALR Hearing

Unfortunately, specifics on online, phone, or mail options are not provided. Contact DPS directly for confirmation of these options.

Brazoria County Detention Center Address

3602 County Road 45, Angleton, TX 77515

Sources

Last updated: January 6, 2026

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