DWI License Suspension in Williamson County — Your Options
A DWI arrest in Williamson County triggers two separate license suspension processes: an ALR administrative suspension and a potential conviction-based suspension. Here is how both work, how long each lasts, and what you can do about them.
Two Types of License Suspension After a Williamson County DWI
A DWI arrest puts your license at risk through two independent processes:
Type 1 — ALR Administrative Suspension (triggered by arrest):
This is a civil action by Texas DPS separate from your criminal case. It is triggered by either a breath/blood test result at or above 0.08, or a refusal to provide a specimen.
Suspension periods under ALR (Tex. Transp. Code Chapter 524):
• Test result ≥0.08, first offense: 90 days
• Test result ≥0.08, prior DWI within 10 years: 1 year
• Refusal, first: 180 days (Tex. Transp. Code §724.035)
• Refusal, prior DWI or prior refusal: 2 years
If you request an ALR hearing within 15 days of arrest, the suspension is stayed pending the hearing.
Type 2 — Conviction-Based Suspension:
A DWI conviction in Williamson County Court at Law separately triggers a license suspension:
• First offense: 90 days to 1 year
• Second offense: 180 days to 2 years
• Third or felony DWI: up to 2 years
A conviction-based suspension runs concurrently with an ALR suspension if both have been imposed — they do not stack additively in most cases.
- Tex. Transp. Code §524.022 — ALR suspension periods — test result cases
- Tex. Transp. Code §724.035 — ALR suspension periods — refusal cases
How to Keep Your License After a Williamson County DWI Arrest
Protecting your license requires two tracks:
Track 1 — ALR hearing request (within 15 days of arrest):
Your attorney contacts Texas DPS (or the State Office of Administrative Hearings online portal) to request an ALR hearing. This stays the administrative suspension while the hearing is pending. ALR hearings can be won — and even when not won, they serve as valuable discovery for your criminal case.
Track 2 — Fighting the criminal charge:
A dismissal or acquittal in the criminal case does not automatically restore your license if an ALR suspension has already been imposed. But avoiding a conviction avoids the second (criminal) suspension and preserves your ability to drive after any ALR suspension period.
Occupational License as backup:
If suspension does occur, you may petition Williamson County Court at Law for an occupational driver's license that allows driving for work, school, and essential household needs during the suspension period.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is my Williamson County license suspended after a first DWI?+
Under the ALR system, a first-offense test result (≥0.08) triggers a 90-day suspension; a first refusal triggers a 180-day suspension. A conviction adds a separate 90-day to 1-year suspension. These suspensions generally run concurrently. Requesting an ALR hearing within 15 days delays the start of the ALR suspension.
Can I drive immediately after posting bond in Williamson County?+
Yes. You receive a temporary driving permit when released from jail that is valid for 40 days. If your attorney requests the ALR hearing within 15 days, the suspension is stayed — meaning you can continue driving with the temporary permit while the hearing is pending and through its resolution.
Does my insurance get affected even if I'm not convicted?+
Possibly — some insurers monitor DPS records and may adjust rates based on an ALR suspension or even an arrest record, regardless of the criminal case outcome. This varies by insurer. A full dismissal and expunction ultimately removes the record that insurers query.