Texas DWI & Distracted Driving Laws

Texas DWI laws

First offense

The first DWI offense is a class B misdemeanor in Texas. However, if your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is above .15, it's considered a class A misdemeanor. If convicted, you could face:

• A fine up to $2,000.
• Three days to 180 days in jail.
• Loss of driver's license for up to one year.
• Annual fee of $1,000, $1,500 or $2,000 for three years to retain your driver's license.
• The court must order an ignition interlock for the period of the license suspension; however, you may be able to choose a hard suspension (meaning no driving at all) with no interlock.

Second offense

The second DWI offense is a class A misdemeanor. If you are convicted of a second offense, you could face the following fines and penalties:

• A fine up to $4,000.
• One month to one year in jail.
• Loss of driver's license up to a year.
• Annual fee of $1,000, $1,500 or $2,000 for three years to retain driver's license.
• The court must order an ignition interlock for the period of the license suspension, however, you may be able to choose a hard suspension (meaning no driving at all) with no interlock.

Third offense

Third and subsequent offenses are third degree felonies. If you are convicted of a third or subsequent offense, you could face the following fines and penalties:

• A $10,000 fine
• Two to 10 years in prison.
• Loss of driver's license for up to two years.
• Annual fee of $1,000, $1,500 or $2,000 for three years to retain your driver's license.
• The court must order an ignition interlock for the period of the license suspension; however, you may be able to choose a hard suspension (meaning no driving at all) with no interlock.

DWI penalty sources: Texas Department of Transportation and the National Conference of State Legislatures

Distracted driving laws in Texas

Posted Feb. 13, 2019