Section 12: Occupational License

November 18, 2020

1. What documentation do I need to submit to get an occupational license

You will need to send in:

This documentation must include your full name, date of birth, and driver license number, and must be submitted to the following address:

Texas Department of Public Safety
ATTN: CCR
PO BOX 15999
Austin, TX 78761-5999.

NOTE: If you are not a US citizen you will need to submit proof of lawful presence.

Please allow up to 21 business days for your occupational driver license to be processed. The signed and stamped court order will act as a temporary driving permit for 45 days from the date that it was signed by the judge unless you have never had a driver license or your driver license has been expired for more than 2 years.

  1. A certified copy of the petition
  2. A signed and stamped court order (which must include the allowable hours and counties)
  3. An SR-22, proof of financial responsibility
  4. A check or money order for all reinstatement fees owed
  5. And the occupational license fee (please write "CCR Code 0074" on the check or money order for the occupational license fee)

2. Can I pay my occupational license fee online?

The occupational license fee can be paid online on the License Eligibility page.

Alternatively, a $10 (1 year) or $20 (2 years) check or money order may be made out to DPS with the words "CCR Code 0074" and mailed to:

Texas Department of Public Safety
ATTN: CCR
PO BOX 15999
Austin, TX 78761-5999

3. How long is my court order good for?

Traditionally, your court order is good for the issuance of an occupational driver license for a period covering your period of suspension, in one year increments. However, all cases are different, and there may be exceptions to this rule for you.

4. How soon can I drive once I get the court order?

The signed and stamped court order will act as a temporary driving permit for 45 days from the date that it was signed by the judge unless you have never had a driver license or your driver license has been expired for more than 2 years.

5. Can I drive through another state with an occupational license?

No, the occupational license is only valid in the state of Texas.

6. Why did I receive an occupational license with an interlock restriction on it?

When someone receives an ALR suspension or is convicted of a DWI, the occupational license will be issued with an interlock restriction regardless of whether or not the court order has an interlock requirement, in accordance to Code of Criminal Procedure, Subchapter A, Article 42A.407.

7. Will I have to retake my road exam in order to obtain an occupational license?

If you have never had a Texas driver license or your driver license has been expired for more than two (2) years, you will be required to retest.

8. Will I need to retake my road exam to get my driver license back once my occupational license has expired?

If your driver license was expired for over two (2) years at the time your occupational license was issued and you did not take a road test prior to obtaining the occupational license, then you will be required to retest. Otherwise, you will be able to request a duplicate license without retesting.

9. I still cannot find the answer to my question, what do I do?

If you do not find the answer to your question listed here within our FAQ's, you can always contact our Customer Service Center for assistance.