Can Texas Suspend Your Driver’s License for Child Support?

Falling behind on child support payments doesn’t just lead to a steadily increasing balance. It can have a significant impact on your freedom and overall stability—especially if you lose your driver’s license and are left without a way to work, take your child to school, or fulfill your other obligations. Whether you’re owed child support or you’re worried that your child support debt is enough to lead to a loss of your license, it’s time to talk to a child support attorney in Texas.

When child support issues are keeping you up at night, working with a child support lawyer who understands your situation can make a significant difference. Attorney Dora Alicia Garza of Garza Law Office, PLLC helps clients navigate these issues. From setting up payment arrangements that keep clients up-to-date to pursuing unpaid child support, she’s here to help. Call our Texas family law firm at 956-329-1304 now.

How Child Support Enforcement Works in Texas

Child support is established when a family court judge hands down a court order. The paying parent is then legally required to make payments as described in the court order. Enforcement of child support orders is overseen by the Texas Office of the Attorney General.

The OAG has a variety of tools they can use to force payment when a paying parent fails to fulfill their obligations. They may:

• Withhold wages from paychecks to cover the payment (this is not always a punishment; wage withholding is often the most convenient way to pay child support)
• Suspend the noncompliant parent’s driver’s license
• File a lien on the noncompliant parent’s assets, including properties, bank accounts, retirement plans, insurance settlements, and other assets
• Revoke the noncompliant parent’s passport or bar it from being renewed

When a Driver’s License Can Be Suspended for Child Support

Per the OAG, the state of Texas can suspend a parent’s driver’s license when the amount they owe is equal to or greater than three months’ worth of child support. The state must also have given them the opportunity to make payments towards the balance under an agreed-upon or court-ordered schedule. This is often one of the first options a child support attorney will attempt. Once the parent does not comply with the repayment schedule, the state may move forward with a driver’s license suspension.

Other Licenses That May Be Suspended

Much like other states, Texas doesn’t stop at suspending a parent’s driver’s license. They can suspend or deny any sort of license administered by the state. This includes any licensing requirements for a career or business. They can also stop you from engaging in other regulated activities that require a license, such as hunting or fishing.

The state also has the right to deny a noncustodial parent’s vehicle registration application if they have not paid in more than six months.

Because many people rely on their driver’s license to get them to work and their professional license to allow them to keep working, this type of child support enforcement can have significant financial consequences if the parent does not address the underlying child support debt quickly.

What Happens After a License Suspension

If the noncompliant parent does not address the child support debt in time, their driver’s license (and other qualifying licenses or permits) will be suspended. They lose the legal ability to drive until the issue is resolved, which may mean losing the ability to work, claim their visitation time, and otherwise provide for their family.

It’s crucial to address this issue promptly. After losing their license, the individual must pay all delinquent child support or at least establish a satisfactory payment record. This generally means paying on time for several months and making progress on the debt. They must also appear for any subpoena and comply with the terms of any court order related to access to their child.

Note that if this problem lasts long enough that your license expires, you will also need to pay a late renewal fee once your license is no longer suspended.

Discuss Your Concerns With a Texas Child Support Lawyer Now

No matter which side of the child support transaction you’re on, this is a tough subject that can have significant financial implications for your life. Set up a consultation with our child support law firm by calling us at 956-329-1304 or reaching out online.

Dora Alicia Garza

Dora Alicia Garza is a seasoned attorney based in Texas and the Founder of Garza Law Office, PLLC. She has built a respected practice across multiple areas of law, including criminal defense, family law, personal injury, guardianships & wills, estate planning & probate, immigration, debt defense and juvenile law. Learn more here.