Occupational License, also called an essential-need license, is a special type of restricted license issued to individuals whose driver license has been suspended, revoked or denied for certain 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:
Requests for 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 10 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.
•Petitioner can live out of county if license was suspended in Tarrant County.   
•Justice Courts DO NOT have jurisdiction over suspension for DWI, medical advisory issues, mental issues or child support issues.


JUSTICE COURT 2 FILING FEES AND DOCUMENTS NEEDED:
 No case will be accepted and no action will be taken on the application until all materials are submitted to the Court.
• Fees
•$46 filing fee
•Fees for copies (includes certified copies) when court order is approved
• Occupational License Petition
•Copies of current valid auto Liability insurance and Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22), provided by your Insurance company
•If applicable, a signed letter from your employer or Immediate Supervisor on Company Letterhead, verifing your work schedule, if you have asked the court to let you drive to work.
•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, if you have asked the court to let you drive to school.

Refer to Texas Department of Public Safety website

Once all documents are received, the case will be reviewed by Assistant District Attorney (ADA).

• Not Opposed by ADA: The Judge will sign the Order (granting license) and the clerk will call you to come pick up the certified copies.
• Opposed by ADA: Case will be presented to the Judge with ADA's Objection and Judge will advise.

PETITIONER WILL RECEIVE FROM THE COURT:
1.Two certified copies of the petition
2.Two certified copies of the court order
3. Trip log sheet
4.Copy of SR-22

 
TO OBTAIN YOUR OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE FROM AUSTIN DPS:
Call DPS Austin for occupational license fee and/or any additional charges.

Petitioner must submit the following items to DPS:
1.A certified copy of the petition and a certified copy of the court order granting the occupational license.
2.A Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22).
3.Payment of the occupational license fee ($10 for every year of suspension)
4.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 512-424-7180   Español: 512-424-7181

 
You should receive your occupational driver license in about 45 days according to Austin DPS. If not, follow up with Austin DPS by calling them at the number provided above.

COURT WILL KEEP:
•Original court order
•Original petition
•All necessary documents provided by you at time of filing