Williamson County ALR Hearing — The 15-Day Deadline
After a DWI arrest in Williamson County, you have exactly 15 days under Tex. Transp. Code §524.031 to request your Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing. Miss this deadline and your license is automatically suspended. Here is what the ALR process looks like — and why it matters for your criminal case.
What Is an ALR Hearing in Texas?
An Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing is a civil proceeding before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). It is completely separate from your criminal DWI case. Its sole issue: whether the Texas Department of Public Safety has the authority to suspend your driver's license.
The ALR system is triggered after a DWI arrest when either (a) you provided a breath or blood sample and the result was 0.08 or higher, or (b) you refused to provide a sample. In both cases, the arresting officer submits an automatic suspension notice to DPS — and your 15-day clock starts from the date of arrest.
Under Tex. Transp. Code §524.031, requesting the hearing within 15 days stays the suspension — you keep your license while the hearing is pending. If you do not request within 15 days, the suspension takes effect after 40 days from arrest.
- Tex. Transp. Code §524.031 — 15-day request deadline; stay of suspension on timely request
- Tex. Transp. Code §524.035 — Issues at ALR hearing — reasonable suspicion, probable cause
Why the ALR Hearing Is Valuable for Your Criminal Case
Most people think of the ALR hearing only as a license fight. It is much more than that.
At the ALR hearing, your attorney can subpoena the arresting officer and question them under oath about:
• The specific reason for the traffic stop
• Their observations of your driving
• The field sobriety test administration
• The breath or blood test procedures
• The chain of custody for any blood sample
This testimony is preserved and can be used in your criminal case. If the officer's ALR testimony differs from their criminal trial testimony — or contradicts the police report — that inconsistency is a powerful tool for cross-examination.
In Williamson County, where prosecutors are aggressive, locking in early sworn testimony from the arresting officer is often one of the most effective early defense moves available.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 15-day ALR deadline start after a Williamson County DWI arrest?+
The 15-day deadline runs from the date of your arrest, not the date you appear in court. If you were arrested on a Friday night, you have until the Friday 15 days later — and weekends count. Contact an attorney immediately after arrest to ensure the deadline is not missed.
What happens if I miss the 15-day ALR deadline?+
Your license is automatically suspended at the end of the 40-day temporary permit period. For a first offense (test result ≥0.08), the suspension is 90 days. For a refusal, the suspension is 180 days. For a repeat offense, suspensions extend to 1-2 years. The deadline cannot be extended after it passes.
Can I win my ALR hearing in Williamson County?+
Yes. ALR hearings can be won on several grounds: the officer lacked reasonable suspicion for the stop, DPS failed to prove the test result was above the legal limit, the test was improperly administered, or chain-of-custody requirements were not met. Even when the hearing is not won, the discovery value of the officer's sworn testimony is significant.