Drug or Controlled Substance Offenses

September 25, 2020

 

If you are convicted of a drug or controlled substance offense:

If you did not have a driver license at the time of the offense, you will be denied the issuance of a driver license for 180 days. This denial of issuance, also known as an Order of Prohibition, starts when you contact the Department inquiring about applying for, or obtaining, a driver license. For additional information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

Drug Education Program

Approved Drug Education Program classes are offered through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Failure to complete the required 15-hour class will result in a revocation of your driver license beyond the original 180-day suspension.

Driver License Reinstatement Requirements

Prior to the renewal or issuance of your driver license, you must complete each of the following:

  1. Serve the required suspension period;
  2. Pay a $100 Reinstatement fee, in addition to any other outstanding fees owed;
  3. Obtain a Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22) from an authorized insurance company (an SR-22 must be maintained for two years from the date of conviction); and
  4. Submit to the Department a certificate of completion for the required Drug Education Program.

For information on submitting compliance and fees to the Department, visit Reinstating your Driver License or Driving Privilege.

Occupational License

You may be eligible to apply for an occupational license while your driver license is suspended to drive a non-commercial motor vehicle. To learn more about occupational licenses or to determine if you may be eligible to apply, please visit our Occupational License webpage.

Driver Eligibility Status

To check the status of your driver license or to determine if you are eligible for reinstatement, visit the License Eligibility webpage.  This page will provide you with information on what you will need to reinstate your driver license or driving privilege, including any fees you may owe.  Once all compliance items have been processed and your mandatory suspension period has ended, your driver eligibility status will be updated to reflect "eligible".

For more information on Drug related suspensions, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions webpage or download the Driver License Enforcement Actions chart for a complete list of driver license suspensions and revocations.