Sec. 521.251. EFFECTIVE DATE OF OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE. (a) If a person's license is suspended under Chapter 524 or 724 and the person has not had a prior suspension arising from an alcohol-related or drug-related enforcement contact in the five years preceding the date of the person's arrest, an order under this subchapter granting the person an occupational license takes effect immediately. However, the court shall order the person to comply with the counseling and rehabilitation program required under Section 521.245.

(b) If the person's driver's license has been suspended as a result of an alcohol-related or drug-related enforcement contact during the five years preceding the date of the person's arrest, the order may not take effect before the 91st day after the effective date of the suspension.

(c) If the person's driver's license has been suspended as a result of a conviction of an offense under Sections 49.04-49.08, Penal Code, during the five years preceding the date of the person's arrest, the order may not take effect before the 181st day after the effective date of the suspension.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision in this section, if the person's driver's license has been suspended as a result of a second or subsequent conviction under Sections 49.04-49.08, Penal Code, committed within five years of the date on which the most recent preceding offense was committed, an order granting the person an occupational license may not take effect before the first anniversary of the effective date of the suspension.

(d-1) Notwithstanding Subsections (b), (c), and (d), the court may issue an occupational license to a person if the person submits proof the person has an ignition interlock device installed on each motor vehicle owned or operated by the person. If a person issued an occupational license under this subsection fails to maintain an installed ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by the person, the court shall revoke the occupational license under Section 521.252 and reinstate the suspension of the person's driver's license. A person granted an occupational license under this subsection may not be ordered, under Section 521.2462, to submit to the supervision of the local community supervision and corrections department or a personal bond office established under Article 17.42, Code of Criminal Procedure, unless the order is entered by a court of record.

(e) For the purposes of this section, "alcohol-related or drug-related enforcement contact" has the meaning assigned by Section 524.001.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 969, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1067 (H.B. 2246), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2015.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 212 (H.B. 156), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2019.