Occupational License

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

An occupational license authorizes you to operate a non-commercial motor vehicle only in connection with:

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

JP2 Filing Fees and Documents Needed (*Court will keep original copies of all documents marked)

1. $54 filing fee
   
2. Fees for certified copies of petition and signed order at the rate of $2 per page and $0.25 for each additional copy of the certified pages (Ex. 3 page petition + 1 page signed order = $8 plus an additional copy of each certified page = $9 total)
3. Petition for Occupational Driver License*
4. A copy of your current valid auto liability insurance *
   
5. A copy of your SR-22*
6. A copy of your Type AR (Certified abstract of complete driver record) driving record from DPS*
   
7. If applicable, a signed letter from your employer or Immediate Supervisor on Company Letterhead, verifing your work schedule*
8. If applicable, a letter from the Registrar's office or Counselor from your school showing your class schedule or an affidavit that verifies your class schedule*

The following restrictions apply to occupational license requests:

• A request for an occupational license MUST be made to the justice, county or district court where you currently reside or where the offense occurred for which the license was suspended.
• A petitioner cannot have been issued more than one occupational license in the ten years preceding the date of the filing of his/her petition.
• The suspended license must be a Texas license.
• Justice Courts DO NOT have jurisdiction over license suspensions due to a physical or mental disability or impairment, DWI and DUI convictions or delinquent child support.

Once all documents are received, your petition will be reviewed by the Judge and he/she will grant or deny your request for an occupational license.

1. If the Judge signs an order denying your occupational license, a clerk of the court will contact you to notify you of the decision.
2. If the Judge signs an order granting your occupational license, a clerk of the court will contact you to notify you of the decision. If you have chosen to receive your documents in person, the clerk will confirm a date for you to pick up the documents from the court. If you have chosen to receive your documents by mail, the clerk will mail your documents either the same day or the next business day. If you have chosen to recive your documents by email, the clerk will email your documents either the same day or the next business day. You will receive the following documents:

• Two certified copies of the petition
• Two certified copies of the court order
• Trip log sheet
• Copy of SR-22

To obtain your occupational license from DPS in Austin, you must submit the following items:

1. A certified copy of the petition
   
2. A certified copy of the signed court order granting the occupational license
3. A copy of your SR-22
4. Payment of DPS' occupational license fee ($10 for each year of suspension)
5. Payment of DPS reinstatement fee and any other charges (Contact DPS for fee information at 512-424-2000 or visit the DPS Occupational Driver License page)
6. If your Texas license has been suspended for two or more years, DPS requires that you take and pass a written and driving test in order for your occupational license to be valid
   
7. Mail numbers one through five above to Texas Department of Public Safety, Central Cash Receiving, PO Box 15999, Austin, TX 78761-5999  

 
Please visit the DPS webpage referenced above for additional information regarding processing time, methods of submission to DPS or scheduling of written and driving tests.

Please visit the DPS webpage for answers to frequently asked questions regarding occupational licenses.