Seeking Help in Getting Driver's License

Updated on March 31, 2008
B.V. asks from Rowlett, TX
15 answers

My sister is a single parent of two boys (13 & 16)The 16 year old is special needs. She gets no financial help from the boys father (yes she has filed with the attorney general, but still no help)
She was in a auto accident two years ago and had no insurance (I know this a no,no but if it's a matter of feeding the kids.....what more can I say) Anyway she was sued and her license was suspended. She now has a job and is trying to get back on her feet. She got a car and is trying to get insurance. She has now found out her license is still suspended and she can't get it back without paying an attorney $500 and making arrangements to pay off the law suit. Does anyone know how she can get a drivers license so she can go to and from work only? She seems to be in an impossible situation and she truly does want to do the right thing. She is barely making ends meet and now her job is threatened because of problems getting to work and this does not even address the problems of transportation for her boys. Our family is doing all we can to help but this is causing a lot of stress on all of us

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So What Happened?

Thanks so much to all of you for all of the information. I'll let you know what happens.

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M.H.

answers from Dallas on

First she has to make arrangements for the $500.00 then she can apply for a license that is only for work. I'm sorry I can't remeber the correct name for it. But they do have one.

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L.H.

answers from Dallas on

Hi B.:
You can try having her apply for what's called an occupational license through the State of Texas. She will have to write a letter to Austin explaining that she is the only and primary provider for her family and that she has some ticket issues that she is trying to work out. She will also have to purchase SR-22(insurance one can purchase when you cant get insurance because of various reason's)I'm not sure how long the SR-22 last at least a few months which cost about 100.00. You can call various insurance company's and find out the details. Once you purchase the SR-22,enclose that with a 10.00 fee for the occupational license. I believe their is an application you may call the DMV and inquire. Sorry I dont have all the complete details but hopefully this is enough to get you going. I'll see if I can get some additional information and reply to you later.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.Y.

answers from San Antonio on

My brother in law had this same issue due to an accident and his license got suspended. He got some sort of license that allowed him to only drive to work and back and like the grocery store until his lawsuit was finished. I believe he got the information from the dmv so I would ask there first. I'm not sure what it was called but it's a special license. Hope this info helps.

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E.M.

answers from Amarillo on

hi im not sure if its ok in ur state or not but there might be a way for her to get a temporary license for work only in order for her to drive to work . it might be worth looking into just called ur DMD and ask. have a good day and i will be praying for u and ur family and ur sister

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P.S.

answers from Dallas on

B., I'm not sure if this is applicable in your sister's case and there is a fee for it but maybe she can ask about an occupational license. I only learned about it from a friend's DWI case whose license was suspended. As I said, I'm not sure if this will work in your sister's case but you can ask. Good luck.

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M.M.

answers from Dallas on

Try Legal Aid ( I posted the info below). They are a low costs legal representation for low incomes. The lawyers that will help are all legal students and attorneys. Tell them the situation, and they will help her file the paperwork in court so that she can represent herself, or they will actually represent her. What will happen is that at hearing will be held so that she can make payments. Once payment sched has been made, she can then apply for her licensne. As far as I am aware, you can not get your license until you have a judgement in hand. But Legal Aid would be able to anwser that question specifically.
She might also want to ask thim to help her with child support. Its a pain in the bottom, believe me, I have gone down that road myself, but they will be able to help.

Legal Aid Low Cost Services
Fort Worth, TX 76101
###-###-####

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S.W.

answers from Dallas on

B.,

I don't know the answer to your question but I know the nicest attorney in the world who might be of help to you...

Kevin Clark - ###-###-####

S. Wells

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S.K.

answers from Nashville on

hi B.
has your sister trying applying for medicaid or WIC (women-infants-children) I am on WIC and they offer rides to Dr appts and am prety sure they could take her to get food. My son is also on medicaid b/c its SO expensive, we too are barely making ends meet. WIC will help pay for some foods for the kids....i think for older kids it CHIPS....she REALLY ought to look into it!!
take care, feel free to ask me anything else regarding this!
S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.T.

answers from Dallas on

Has she tried applying for a hardship license? They will grant you permission to drive to work grocery stores doctors appts, etc... I would try that.

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J.F.

answers from Dallas on

Have her check into getting a hardship license just for travel to and from work, not really sure if this will work for this circumstance but it has worked in other situations. It is worth a try.

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E.M.

answers from Dallas on

I don't really know if the state can help but have you called the DPS rather than a lawyer? Also, have you contacted legal aid to find a lawyer who will take the work pro bono? As for transportation, when I was in a similar position many years ago I lived in the city. My children were small. I took the city bus, levaing hours early and taking several transfers. Then my family, Gid bless them, gave my kids a ride to school and home again.
The kids were in the same neighborhood schools. Not ot mention, my kids walked. Good luck.

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B.L.

answers from Dallas on

She can get the name of the insurance company and make payment arrangements herself with them. She does not need an attorney to do that. If she does not who the insurance company was, she can call Austin or write them and they will tell her. As soon as she works out payment arrangements and Austin receives the notice, she can get her license back. The insurance companies are happy to work with people so they can get their money.

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D.F.

answers from Dallas on

Dear B.,
Tell your sister to call Guardian Ad Litem @ 1-###-###-#### for information on how they can help her with her situation. They helped my sister in getting her a lawyer and to represent her in court. They take these dead beat Dad's to pay for their responsibilties. They go after them take them to court and make sure you get your checks monthly. Have her call them and get information. The drivers license issue I can't help her but maybe she can apply for a hardship license.

D.

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L.D.

answers from Dallas on

I don't knw the exact steps you have to take, but I think there is a such thing as an occupational license that she can apply for. Do a little research on it. I hope you all can get it worked out.

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K.S.

answers from Dallas on

Hi B., I'm sorry that your sister is going through all of this. I looked up Occupational License at the DMV website. Follow this link and below all the info about suspended license is the information on how to get an occupational license. Based on what you have said it sounds like she will qualify for one.

http://www.dmv.org/tx-texas/suspended-license.php

Good luck!
K.

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