What Is the 15-Day ALR Deadline in Texas?

The ALR Deadline Runs From the Suspension Notice, Not Your Court Date

Texas DPS generally requires an ALR hearing request within 15 days after the applicable suspension notice is served or received. The DIC-25 or other DPS notice should be reviewed to confirm the deadline. In a breath-test refusal or failure case, the SAPD officer or DPS Trooper often serves the notice at arrest. In a blood-test case, the notice may arrive later, after the lab result. If no timely request is made, the suspension generally takes effect 40 days after the notice is served, generally 90 days for a first qualifying test failure and 180 days for a first refusal. When representation includes the ALR proceeding, the firm acts promptly to request the hearing before the applicable deadline.

What the ALR Hearing Is

An ALR hearing is a civil proceeding before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) to contest the Texas DPS license suspension. It is separate from the criminal case at the Cadena-Reeves Justice Center and runs on its own timeline. Hearing dates vary, and the hearing is often scheduled weeks to months after the request.

The ALR Hearing’s Value Beyond Your License

The ALR hearing can also be relevant to the criminal DWI case. Subject to SOAH procedural rules, the hearing may provide an opportunity to question the arresting officer under oath about:

• The basis for the traffic stop and what the officer observed
• The indicators the officer noted before the arrest
• How the field sobriety tests were administered
• The breath or blood test procedure followed

If the officer’s ALR testimony later differs from the written report or later testimony, that difference may be useful in the criminal case. Whether the officer appears and what questioning is allowed depends on the hearing rules and the facts.

What the Suspension Looks Like If You Miss the Deadline

If no timely hearing request is made, the suspension generally takes effect 40 days after the notice is served. General suspension periods: 90 days for a first qualifying breath or blood test failure, 180 days for a first refusal, and longer periods for subsequent qualifying failures or refusals. The ALR suspension is separate from the outcome of the criminal case at Cadena-Reeves.

Occupational License During Suspension

If a suspension takes effect, an occupational driver’s license may allow driving for work, school, and essential household duties, subject to eligibility and court conditions such as ignition interlock. The firm can evaluate occupational license options alongside the ALR proceeding.

What to Do Right Now

Review the date on any DPS suspension notice, because the hearing-request window may already be partly elapsed. Call 210-899-0732. The criminal case and the ALR proceeding run separately, and both are time-sensitive.