What is an Occupational Driver’s License?

What is an occupational driver’s license? You may be asking this if your license was recently revoked. Living without driving privileges may be near impossible for you. Your schedule will be hard to maintain unless you can drive to work and school. Let’s talk about how you can get on the road again despite what’s happening.

You need to get from place to place

What is an Occupational Driver’s License?

First and foremost,  you will need an attorney to help you attain an occupational driver’s license. The process can take weeks and may become very complicated. It is best to have a qualified professional on your side, who can anticipate the potential hurdles you will have to make.

An occupational driver’s license is a special license that lets you drive for work, school, and essential household errands. This is a restricted document, meaning you can’t use it for anything else. If you have had your license revoked, you will need to get one of these to continue with your regular schedule. It will take a court order, so prepare yourself.

You’ll need a license to get around

How Do I Qualify?

Even if you get a court order for an Occupational Driver’s License, DPS cannot issue it to you if:

• You lost your drivers license for a medical condition.
• You lost it because you owe child support.
• Two ODLs have been issued to you after a conviction in the past 10 years.
• You are in the United States unlawfully.

If none of these apply to you, you can proceed.

What Next?

You will need two court forms. First, the Petition for Occupational Driver’s License asks the court to issue an order. Second, the Order for Occupational Driver’s License orders the DPS to issue it to you. Your attorney can help you with these documents so you don’t miss anything. Also, you will need proof that you need to drive to go to work, school, run errands, etc. Your school schedule, current pay stub, letter from your employer, or affidavit will suffice.

You will also need an SR-22 proof of insurance. This proves that you have the minimum liability required by law. Be careful – if your SR-22 coverage lapses, is terminated, or is canceled your ODL will be revoked.

If you are low income, you may fill out a Statement of Inability to Afford Payment of Court Costs. If you qualify, you may not have to pay court costs.

Your following steps include filing with the Clerk of the Court, actually attending Court, and then mailing the finished paperwork and fees to the DPS. This is a legal process you will need the right representation for. Ensure your time and money isn’t put to waste. Contact Kelly McHanan Law in Austin, Texas.

About Kelly McHanan Law

Kelly McHanan is an Austin traffic court lawyer who can help you attain an ODL. Her goal is to save you time and money and keep a minor traffic violation from further affecting your life.

When you are stuck with a traffic ticket or charged with a class C demeanor, Ms. McHanan can help. She will stand up for you in a court of law. Contact her office at (512) 843-2889 or fill out the form located on her website here.