Transportation Code · ch. 521

Driver's Licenses

Driver's Licenses (ch. 521): key points and worked practice questions for Texas peace officer exam preparation.

Key points

  • Court-issued order
  • Driving for essential occupational/educational/household needs
  • 4 hours per 24 (up to 12 on necessity) (§521.248(b))
  • Financial responsibility under ch. 601

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Worked examples

Worked example 1

An Occupational Driver License (ODL) — Tex. Transp. Code §521.241 — allows:

  1. Driving anywhere, anytime
  2. Driving for essential occupational, educational, or household needs, after a court order with statutory restrictions (generally no more than 4 hours in 24, up to 12 on a showing of necessity) Correct
  3. Bypassing all suspensions
  4. Drag racing
Why: An occupational license allows limited driving for an essential need after a court order. The petition must show financial responsibility under Chapter 601 (§521.2421(d)). The person may not drive more than 4 hours in any 24-hour period unless the court finds necessity, up to 12 hours (§521.248(b)); a person restricted to an ignition interlock device is not subject to time, reason, or location restrictions (§521.248(d)).
Statute: Tex. Transp. Code ch. 521 subch. L

Statutory definitions for this topic

Driving while license invalid (DWLI) Tex. Transp. Code §521.457
Operating a motor vehicle on a highway while the person's license is canceled, suspended, or revoked, after renewal was denied, or while under an order prohibiting licensure (§521.457(a)–(b)). Class C misdemeanor; Class B with a prior conviction, while uninsured (§601.191), or after a prior DWI-related suspension; Class A if uninsured and causing or at fault in a collision resulting in serious bodily injury or death (§521.457(e)–(f-2)).
Occupational Driver License (ODL) Tex. Transp. Code ch. 521 subch. L
Court-issued license allowing limited driving for an essential need (occupational, educational, or household) for a person whose license has been suspended, revoked, or canceled. The petition must show financial responsibility under Chapter 601 (§521.2421(d)). Driving is limited to 4 hours in any 24-hour period unless the court finds necessity, up to 12 hours (§521.248(b)).
Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 17.441; Tex. Transp. Code §521.246
A breath-alcohol device that makes operating the vehicle impractical if alcohol is detected. A magistrate must require one on release for a subsequent offense under Penal Code §49.04, 49.05, 49.06, or 49.061, or any offense under §49.045 (DWI with child passenger), 49.07, or 49.08, unless it would not be in the best interest of justice (art. 17.441). Also required, subject to waiver, for an occupational license after a §§49.04–49.08 conviction (§521.246).