What Is an Occupational Driver’s License?
An occupational driver’s license (ODL), also known as an essential needs license or a restricted license, allows you to drive for essential needs. The law defines essential needs as driving for work-related purposes, school-related purposes, and essential household needs. Work-related purposes include going to and from work and driving required by your employer as a part of your job, for example, driving to a job site or for a sales call. School-related purposes include going to and from school for you and your children as appropriate. Essential household purposes include anything necessary to maintain your household, such as driving to the grocery store or doctor’s office.
An occupational driver’s license has certain restrictions. For example, you may be restricted in the times and places you can drive in addition to the reasons you can drive, as referenced above. We can work with the issuing court to ensure these restrictions are the least restrictive possible. In most cases, we can obtain the occupational license without you needing to appear in court. You will usually have to get an SR-22 insurance policy (see below) and may have to keep a logbook. Upon obtaining an occupational driver’s license, our staff will work with you to make sure you understand what you need to do to comply with the occupational driver’s license requirements.
Do You Need an Occupational Driver’s License – Maybe Not
If your Texas driver’s license is suspended, there may be steps you can take to get your driver’s license restored. We can help walk you through these steps; however, not all problems can be fixed. For example, your driver’s license may be suspended for a certain period of time or restitution following an accident that you cannot pay. In these cases, you must obtain an occupational driver’s license to drive legally. In other cases, you may have an Omni hold or two that needs to be lifted and/or a reinstatement fee that needs to be paid. If this is the case, you may not necessarily need an occupational driver’s license. Determining why your Texas driver’s license is suspended and how to restore your driving privileges can be complicated. We can review your case and provide solutions to restore your driving privileges.
Why Get an Occupational License?
If your license has been suspended, revoked, or denied, you cannot legally drive, but that does not mean life stops. An occupational driver’s license will allow you to legally drive for essential needs, such as going to and from work and school, and necessary trips to maintain your household, such as trips to the store and doctor’s offices.
If you drive with an invalid or revoked license, you may be subject to arrest, fines, and an additional license suspension. The cost of the occupational license is far less than the consequences of driving without a valid license and provides you peace of mind.
Why Use Hawkins & Walker, PC?
The costs, rules, and procedures for issuing an occupational driver’s license vary based on why your license was suspended and where the application is filed. Courts cannot and will not assist in dealing with the complexities of applying for the license. In addition, not everyone with a suspended license needs an occupational driver’s license or is eligible.
When you contact us, our experienced staff will review your status to ensure that you need an occupational license and are eligible. If you are eligible, we can take care of the necessary paperwork without you coming into our office.
In most cases, we can get the occupational license without you appearing in court. Not only does this save you time and anxiety, but you can also be assured that the process will be handled as professionally and expeditiously as possible. With more than 35 years of combined criminal defense and traffic law experience, including representing numerous individuals in occupational license matters, the lawyers of Hawkins & Walker, PC have the experience and expertise to ensure the process is as smooth as possible.
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