How Many Points Is a DWI in Texas and What Really Happens to Your License?
If you are wondering how many points is a DWI in Texas, the short answer is zero, because Texas does not use a traditional driver “points” system for DWIs, but a DWI can still suspend your license, spike your insurance, and stay on your record for years. Instead of tallying points like some other states, Texas uses direct criminal penalties, Texas DPS license actions, and insurance risk ratings that can hit your wallet and your job hard.
If you are a Houston construction manager like Mike, worried about driving to job sites and providing for your family, it helps to understand how the system actually works. This guide walks you through what happens to your license, your insurance, and your record after a Texas DWI, and what steps you can take in the first days after an arrest to protect yourself.
Does Texas Have a DWI Point System?
Many drivers search “does Texas have a DWI point system” because they hear friends in other states talk about getting points added to their license after a ticket. Texas used to have something similar called the Driver Responsibility Program with surcharges, but that program was repealed. Today, Texas does not add “points” for a DWI in the way most people picture.
Instead, Texas treats a DWI as a criminal offense and then the Department of Public Safety (DPS) can suspend your license on top of the criminal case. For you, that means the real question is not how many points a DWI gives you, but how a DWI affects your license, your record, and your insurance costs over time.
Think of it like this: there is no point scoreboard, but a DWI starts several separate processes that all move against you at once. If you live or work in Houston or Harris County, you may be facing court dates, an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) case, and letters from DPS and your insurance company, all within weeks.
Texas DPS Penalties for DWI and License Consequences
Instead of points, Texas DPS uses suspensions, revocations, and reinstatement fees as the main tools for DWI and license consequences. These are separate from the judge, prosecutor, and criminal penalties you might face in a Houston or Harris County courtroom.
ALR: The Separate DPS Case That Can Suspend Your License
The ALR process is often the most urgent part of a new DWI. If you either refused a breath or blood test, or you gave a sample and it was over the legal limit, DPS can try to suspend your license through an administrative case.
- For most first time DWIs, a breath or blood test refusal can trigger a proposed suspension of up to 180 days.
- If you provided a sample over the legal limit, the proposed suspension is often up to 90 days.
These numbers can go up if you have prior alcohol related contacts or if there were other serious factors. If you rely on your truck or work vehicle to manage crews, visit job sites, or carry tools, even 90 days without a license can feel impossible.
The 15 Day Deadline After a Texas DWI Arrest
After most DWI arrests in Texas, DPS gives you a very short window to fight the ALR suspension. You typically have only 15 days from the date you receive notice of suspension to request a hearing. If you miss that deadline, the suspension usually kicks in automatically.
For a step by step explanation, you can read more about how to request an ALR hearing and meet the 15‑day deadline, which explains the request process and why that deadline matters so much.
If you want to see how DPS asks for these hearings online, the official portal allows you to Request an ALR hearing (15‑day deadline) on DPS site. That link shows the form and basic options, but it does not explain strategy or defenses, so it is still wise to talk with a Texas DWI lawyer about how your specific facts might be used in your favor.
To get a bigger picture of license timelines, suspensions, and reinstatement steps, you can also look at this detailed stepwise guide to DPS deadlines and reinstatement which walks through how drivers can get back on the road after a DWI in Texas.
What Actually Happens If You Do Nothing
If you do not request an ALR hearing within 15 days, DPS will usually set your license to suspend on a certain date shown in the paperwork. Many Houston drivers toss the letter in a drawer and forget about it, then get pulled over weeks later and learn the hard way that they are driving on a suspended license.
Driving while license is suspended can lead to more charges, fines, and even longer suspensions. If you are supporting a family or supervising crews, every extra charge can create more risk for your job and your professional reputation.
DWI and License Consequences in Texas After a Conviction
Administrative penalties from DPS are only one part of the picture. If you are convicted of DWI, the court can also add its own driver license penalties, such as additional suspensions and conditions. This is where many Houston Texas drivers worried about DWI points learn that the real damage comes from the conviction, not imaginary points.
Typical Suspension Ranges
Exact penalties depend on whether it is a first DWI or you have prior convictions, and on your age and other factors. In general:
- A first time DWI in Texas can carry a license suspension of up to one year as part of the criminal case.
- Second and third DWIs can lead to longer suspensions or even revocations.
- Drivers under 21 and commercial drivers (CDL holders) can face stricter rules.
Sometimes, drivers can apply for an occupational or restricted license that lets them drive for essential things like work, school, and household needs. The details depend on your history, your underlying charge, and how quickly you act after an arrest.
DWI, Ignition Interlock Devices, and Conditions
In addition to suspensions, a Texas court can order you to install an ignition interlock device, especially if your blood alcohol concentration was high or if this is not your first DWI. An interlock is a breath test device attached to your vehicle that you must blow into before starting the car.
Interlocks come with monthly fees for monitoring and maintenance, and you can expect other conditions such as alcohol evaluations, classes, and community service. If you are juggling work, overtime, and family responsibilities, these requirements can take up a lot of time and money over months or even years.
Analytical Professional (Daniel): Data, Timelines, and Probabilities
If you are like Analytical Professional (Daniel), you may want hard numbers and timelines. In a routine first time DWI in Texas, the ALR suspension is often set for 90 to 180 days, and the criminal case can take anywhere from several months to a year or more to resolve. Insurance companies often re-rate your policy at the next renewal following a conviction or sometimes even after an arrest.
Whether your license is actually suspended, whether you get an occupational license, and whether the DWI stays on your criminal record or is reduced or dismissed all depend on specific facts. That is why statistics can only go so far: what happened during the stop, how the tests were done, and your prior record all change the probabilities.
DWI and Insurance Surcharges in Texas
Texas no longer uses state DWI “surcharges” under the old Driver Responsibility Program, but drivers still feel what most people think of as surcharges through their auto insurance bills. When your insurance company learns about a DWI, it often reclassifies you as a high risk driver.
For many Houston drivers, that means hundreds or even thousands of extra dollars per year. Some drivers see their premiums jump 50 percent or more, and others are dropped and forced into high risk or nonstandard policies. Over a three to five year period, the total extra cost can easily reach the size of a small used truck or several months of rent.
To see more detailed numbers and examples, you can read this article on how a DWI typically raises insurance rates and costs and how long those effects can last on your policy.
For a broader look at penalties and long term driving record effects, the firm also has an overview of Texas DWI penalties and driving‑record consequences that explains criminal penalties alongside DPS actions and insurance fallout.
How Insurers Learn About Your DWI
Insurance carriers usually find out about a DWI in one of three ways: they run your driving record at renewal, you report the arrest or conviction when asked, or you need an SR 22 or similar filing after a suspension. Once the DWI is visible on your record, most companies run it through their rating formula to decide whether to renew you and at what price.
If you drive a company truck or are listed as an authorized driver on a business policy, your employer’s carrier may also react to a DWI. That can threaten your job if driving is a core part of your responsibilities.
Concerned Nurse (Elena): Professional License and Board Issues
If you are a Concerned Nurse (Elena) or another healthcare professional, a DWI can trigger more than just car insurance problems. Many Texas licensing boards want to know about criminal charges, arrests, and convictions related to alcohol. In some cases, you must report the arrest or conviction within a certain time frame or at license renewal.
A DWI conviction can raise questions about fitness for duty, patient safety, or substance issues. That makes it important to look at both the courtroom side and the licensing board side of your situation, and not to assume that “no points” on your license means no risk to your professional license.
Texas DWI Conviction and Your Driving Record
When you look up “Texas DWI conviction and driving record,” what you are really asking is how long this will follow you. There are two main records to think about: your DPS driving record and your criminal history.
How Long Does a DWI Stay on Your Texas Driving Record?
In Texas, a DWI can remain on your driving record for many years, and for practical purposes most drivers should assume it can show up for life. Insurance carriers, employers, and background check companies may see that record for as long as it is reported.
Unlike minor speeding tickets that sometimes fall off after a few years, a DWI is a serious alcohol related offense. That is one reason why treating a DWI like a simple “points” ticket is such a dangerous misconception.
Criminal Record and Record Clearing Options
On the criminal side, a DWI conviction can remain on your record indefinitely. Texas law limits when and how a DWI can be sealed or concealed. In some situations, drivers may qualify for an order of nondisclosure that seals certain records from public view, but this depends on the case outcome, your prior history, and meeting waiting periods.
Even with nondisclosure, some agencies and licensing boards can still see the record. That means your strategy in the criminal case matters a lot for your long term future, including promotions, professional licenses, and background checks for loans, housing, or security clearances.
Executive VIP (Marcus/Chris): Reputation and Confidentiality
If you see yourself as an Executive VIP (Marcus/Chris), your main fear may be reputation and confidentiality rather than just fines. A DWI arrest in Houston can appear in online public records, background checks, and sometimes local news or social media. While Texas law provides some record sealing options for certain outcomes, not every DWI can be sealed, and information that has already spread online can be hard to remove.
This is why early, careful handling of both the public and legal sides of your case matters. Protecting confidentiality, minimizing what appears on your record, and watching how information is shared with employers or licensing bodies are all key considerations for higher profile professionals.
Implied Consent, Refusals, and ALR in Texas
Another area of confusion is how breath or blood test refusals affect your license. Texas has an “implied consent” law. By driving on Texas roads, you are considered to have given consent to a breath or blood test in certain DWI situations, although you can still refuse and accept the consequences.
The legal rules for this are found in the Texas implied consent statute on chemical tests and refusals. Under these rules, if you refuse a test, DPS can seek a longer license suspension than if you had taken the test and failed. That refusal can also be used as evidence in your criminal case.
For you, that means the decision to refuse or take a test has real license and courtroom consequences. However, officers still must follow specific procedures, and test results or refusals can be challenged on many legal and scientific grounds.
Houston Micro Story: How “No Points” Nearly Cost a Job
Consider a common situation for a Houston driver like Mike. He gets stopped after leaving a work dinner, is arrested for DWI, and is handed a temporary driving permit with a notice about ALR. A friend tells him, “Texas does not really use points, it is just like a big ticket.” Mike believes him and does nothing.
Two months later, he is pulled over in Harris County for a minor brake light issue. The officer runs his license, sees that it is suspended because Mike never requested an ALR hearing, and arrests him for driving while license suspended. His company learns about the arrest when he cannot report to a job site, and suddenly his position as a foreman is at risk.
All of this happened not because of a “points” system, but because Mike misunderstood how serious the license and record consequences are in Texas after a DWI.
Young Social Driver (Tyler/Kevin): Myth Busting on “Points”
If you are a Young Social Driver (Tyler/Kevin), you might have heard friends say that a DWI is just another ticket on your driving record, with some extra “points.” That is not how Texas works. There is no simple points chart for a DWI that disappears after you pay a fine.
A Texas DWI involves a criminal record, possible jail time, license suspensions, and long term insurance and employment fallout. The idea that “it is just points” is one of the most dangerous myths, because it makes people underestimate the impact of a single night’s decision.
Busy Professional (Jason/Sophia): Timelines and Minimizing Disruption
If you relate to Busy Professional (Jason/Sophia), your main worry may be how much time this will steal from your work and family. Court dates in Houston or surrounding counties can stretch across months, and ALR hearings, ignition interlock appointments, and classes all require you to miss work or rearrange child care.
The sooner you understand the timelines and options, the easier it is to plan around them. Early action can sometimes help you keep driving for work through an occupational license, reduce long term insurance shocks, and avoid surprises like a sudden suspension that makes you miss a shift or an important meeting.
Immediate Steps After a Texas DWI to Protect Your License
Even though there is no formal DWI point system in Texas, the first days after an arrest are critical. Here are practical steps you can take so you are not blindsided by DPS actions or insurance problems.
1. Find Your 15 Day ALR Deadline
Look at your temporary driving permit or suspension notice, usually provided at the time of arrest or mailed soon afterward. The paperwork states that you have a limited number of days, often 15, to request an ALR hearing. Circle that date on a calendar and treat it like a hard deadline.
2. Request an ALR Hearing
Use the information in your notice or the DPS portal linked above to request a hearing before your deadline expires. You can do this directly, though many drivers choose to have a Texas DWI lawyer make the request and handle the hearing so that legal strategy and discovery are built in from the start.
3. Track Your Work and Family Needs
Make a short list of your critical driving needs: commuting to the plant or office, visiting job sites, picking up kids, medical appointments. If your license is at risk, this list will matter for any request for an occupational license and for planning how to manage your life during a suspension period.
4. Gather Documents and Timeline
Write out in simple language what happened before, during, and after the stop. Note the time, location, any witnesses, and everything you remember about field sobriety tests and breath or blood testing. Save your bond paperwork, tow slip, chemical test documents, and any texts about the night. These details can all matter later when examining defenses.
5. Talk With a Qualified Texas DWI Lawyer
DWI law in Texas is complex, and each county, including Harris County and nearby counties, has its own local practices. A lawyer who regularly handles Texas DWI and ALR cases can look at your facts, help you request the ALR hearing on time, and explain how criminal case strategies might also protect your license and record.
Frequently Asked Questions About How Many Points Is a DWI in Texas
Does Texas use a DWI point system at all?
No, Texas does not use a traditional DWI point system like some states. Instead, a DWI leads directly to criminal penalties, possible jail time, fines, and DPS license actions such as suspensions and reinstatement fees, along with higher insurance premiums.
How long will a DWI affect my license in Texas?
For a first DWI, an ALR suspension is often 90 to 180 days, and the court can impose additional suspension periods as part of the sentence. Even after any suspension ends, the DWI can show on your driving record and affect insurance and employment for many years.
How long does a DWI stay on my record in Houston, Texas?
A DWI conviction in Texas can remain on your criminal record indefinitely. Some drivers may qualify for record sealing or nondisclosure for certain outcomes, but many DWI convictions cannot be fully erased and can still be seen by courts, law enforcement, and some agencies.
Will a Texas DWI make my insurance go up?
Yes, most insurance companies treat a DWI as a major risk factor and increase your premiums, sometimes by 50 percent or more. The higher rates can last for several years, and some insurers may refuse to renew your policy, forcing you into more expensive high risk coverage.
What should I do in the first 15 days after a DWI arrest in Texas?
In the first 15 days, you should find your ALR deadline and request a hearing before that deadline passes. It is also wise to collect your documents, write down what happened, review your work and family driving needs, and consult a Texas DWI lawyer about license protections and defense options.
Why Acting Early Matters More Than “Points” in Texas
If you take one message away from this guide, let it be this: in Texas, a DWI is not about points, it is about real world consequences that start quickly. Your license, job, insurance, and record can all be affected within weeks or months, and early action is the best way to slow that damage.
If you are a Houston worker like Mike, an Analytical Professional (Daniel) focused on the data, a Busy Professional (Jason/Sophia) trying to protect your schedule, an Executive VIP (Marcus/Chris) worried about reputation, or a Concerned Nurse (Elena) with professional license concerns, the core steps are similar. Learn your deadlines, especially the 15 day ALR window, understand how Texas DPS penalties for DWI work, and get clear guidance tailored to your situation from a lawyer who handles Texas DWI cases every day.
Even though Texas has no DWI point system, the system it does have is serious. Knowing how it really works is the first step toward protecting your ability to drive, support your family, and move forward.
For Houston Texas drivers worried about DWI points and confused by mixed information online, taking time now to understand ALR, license options, and record consequences can make a long term difference in your life.
For a short visual walkthrough of these early steps, you can watch this quick guide from Butler Law Firm. It explains what to focus on in the days right after a Texas DWI arrest so you can protect your license, preserve ALR rights, and limit insurance and record damage as much as possible.
Butler Law Firm - The Houston DWI Lawyer
11500 Northwest Fwy #400, Houston, TX 77092
https://www.thehoustondwilawyer.com/
+1 713-236-8744
RGFH+6F Central Northwest, Houston, TX
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