Occupational Driver's Licenses

An Occupational Driver's License (ODL) is a special license that lets you drive at certain times and places when you really need to. You can use it to drive to work or school or do essential household duties.

Before you ask for an ODL, you need:

1. SR-22 insurance (special insurance for high-risk drivers)
2. A copy of your driving record from DPS
3. Proof that you installed a breathalyzer in your car (if you got in trouble for drugs or alcohol).

No. You can't get an ODL if:

• You lost your license because of a health problem
• You lost your license for not paying child support
• You need it to drive a commercial motor vehicle
• The judge thinks you don't really need it
• The judge is worried about safety
• You've had two ODLs in the last 10 years
• You have to wait because of a DWI (driving while drunk).

It depends on why you lost your license. You might need to go to:

• The court that took away your license,
• A court in the county where you live, or
• A court in the county where the offense occurred that led to your license suspension.

You can use a copy of the judge's order to drive for 45 days. After that, you need the real ODL from DPS. Or, you can go back to court and ask the judge to extend the order.

An ODL won't let you drive if you've never had a license or if it expired more than two years ago. You'll need to:

1. Get an ODL order from a judge
2. Go to DPS within 45 days of getting the order
3. Take a driving test at DPS.

Instead of taking the written test, you can take a 6-hour online Adult Driver's Education Course.

• Texas Transportation Code chapter 521 subchapter L.
• Texas Transportation Code chapter 601.
• Texas Gov't Code 123.009.