An occupational license also called an essential-need license, is a special type of restricted license issued to individuals whose driver's license has been suspended, revoked, or denied for offenses other than medical or delinquent child support.

An occupational license authorizes the operation of a non-commercial motor vehicle in connection with an individual's:

1. Work,
2. School-related activities or
3. Performance of essential household duties.

REQUEST AN OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE: MUST be made to the justice, county, or district court where the individual lives or to the Court of original jurisdiction where the offense occurred.

• Petitioner MUST live in Tarrant County OR may file in the county where the suspension occurred.
• Petitioner cannot have more than one occupational license within the last ten years preceding the date of the filing of this petition.
• The suspended license must be a Texas License.
  • Petitioner can't apply for Occupational License if Petitioner never had a Texas license.
  • The Petitioner could live out of the county if the license was suspended in Tarrant County.   
• Justice Courts DO NOT have jurisdiction over suspension for DWI, medical advisory, mental, or child support issues.

NOTICE:

All communications from litigants to the Court and the Court to litigants are conducted electronically using E-File Texas (preferred), email or fax. Be aware; that all notices, copies, judgments, and other documents sent by the Court to litigants will come from the JP1court@tarrantcountytx.gov Email address.

Click here to read the Notice Regarding Electronic Communication

Click here to read the Electronic Communication local rule

PAYMENT AND FEES:

• $54 filing fee
• Fees for copies (including certified copies) when a court order is approved

• Occupational License Petition     
  
• Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22)
• Driving Record (Type AR-Certified Abstracts of Driving Record) 
  • Refer to the Texas Department of Public Safety website

• For information on filing online, please visit E-File.

Once your petition and all the required documents have been reviewed and accepted by the Court. If the Court grants your petition for an Occupational Driver's License. You can expect the following:

PETITIONER WILL RECEIVE FROM THE COURT:

1. Certified copy of the petition
   
2. Certified copy of the court order
   
3. Trip log sheet
   
4. Copy of SR-22

PETITIONER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING TO OBTAIN THEIR OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE FROM AUSTIN DPS:

Note: Call DPS Austin for the occupational license fee and additional charges.

After receiving are documents from the Court, Petitioner must submit the following items to the Texa Department of Public Safety (DPS):

1. A certified copy of the petition
   
2. A certified copy of the court order granting the occupational license
   
3. A copy of the Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22).
4. Payment of the occupational license fee.
   
5. Payment of reinstatement fee and any other charges.

MAIL TO:

Texas Department of Public Safety
Central Cash Receiving
P.O. Box 15999
Austin, TX 78761-5999

Austin Department of Public Safety: English 512-424-2600   Español: 512-424-7181

You should receive your occupational driver's license in about 45 days, according to Austin DPS.

THE COURT WILL KEEP:

• Original court order
  
• Original petition
  
• Driving record
  
• Copy of SR-22

Accessibility Notice: Due to the complexity of the preceding documents, these documents are scanned images. If you require assistance in accessing the information, please contact Justice Court One at 817-884-1395.