Driver Surcharge Program Texas
Driver Responsibility Program. The Driver Responsibility Program establishes a system that authorizes the Texas Department of Public Safety DPS to assess surcharges.
The Texas Driver Responsibility Program enforces surcharges in Texas.They are determined by accidents moving violations. Learn more at Comedy Driving.
Welcome to the Texas DPS Driver Responsibility Surcharge Online Services Site. From this site, you can: Obtain information on your current surcharge accounts.
Www.texas.gov/driver www.dps.texas.gov/driverlicense/drp.htm Driver Responsibility Program DRP Driver A surcharge is applied when a driver accumulates.
Indigence Program
Texas DPS Driver Responsibility Indigency / Incentive Program
General Overview - These programs provide drivers the ability to comply with surcharges owed under the Driver Responsibility Program and maintain driving privileges. The surcharges
are not waived under these programs, but are reduced. The objective is to ensure drivers can become licensed, obtain financial liability insurance, and continue to keep our roads safe. Any surcharge
assessed on or after September 1, 2003 are eligible for the Indigency/Incentive Programs.
The Indigency Program applies to individuals who are living at or below 125 of the federal poverty level, defined annually by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
For approved applicants, surcharges will be reduced to 10 of the total amount assessed. The total amount due will not exceed 250 service fees apply.
The Incentive Program applies to individuals who are living above 125 but are below 300 federal poverty level, defined annually by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
For approved applicants, the surcharge fees will be reduced by 50 of the total amount assessed service fees apply.
Once approved for a reduction under either program, the individual must pay the reduced balance in full within six 6 months. All surcharge suspensions will be lifted during this period. If the individual
does not pay the balance in full by the due date, their driving privileges will be suspended until the reduced balance is paid in full.
These programs will not remove other suspensions on the driving record. To check the status of your driving record, please visit
then select Driver License Reinstatement and Status.
To Apply – Complete the application in black or blue ink only. The application must be completed in full and notarized prior to submission. Use notes section on page 2 for additional
information. To download the application, CLICK HERE.
You may also apply online at txsurchargeonline.
If you do not have access to the internet, you may call 1- 866 223-3583 and speak to a Program Specialist for further instructions on how to receive a form.
PLEASE NOTE: Until your application review is completed, you must continue to remit the minimum monthly payment by the due date to avoid suspension of your driving privileges.
If you are an inmate and need to complete an unsworn declaration, please download HERE.
Supporting Documents - Applicants must include supporting documentation based on answers provided on the application. If submitting an online application, you may upload all documents,
including your notarized application. All documents must be complete and accurate. Your application and any supporting documents you provide may be forwarded to the Texas Department of Public Safety
for additional review. If your application is found to be fraudulent, it can result in criminal penalties.
Approved - A written notice will be sent to the applicant and will provide the due date and the reduced balance owed.
Denied - A written notice will be sent to the applicant with the reason for the denial.
Status - If you applied online, you can check the status of your application online. Online notices will be available 10 -14 business days after your completed application is submitted.
If you applied by mail, written notices take up to 60 days after your completed application is submitted.
Payment - The reduced payment must be received by the due date or driving privileges will be suspended. Available payment methods include: ACE Cash Express,
MoneyGram, Western Union, Check, Money Order, or Credit or Debit Card. You can also contact us directly at 1-800-688-6882 or visit
New Surcharges - If additional surcharges are assessed within 90 calendar days of reduction approval, those surcharges will be automatically reduced and a letter sent with the new
balance due. The original due date remains the same. If new surcharges are assessed 90 days or more after the reduction approval, a new application will be required.
All notices will be sent to the address associated with the surcharge account s.
Example of Poverty level as per the Health and Human Services Department:
125 of the 2015 HHS Poverty Guidelines
48 Contiguous StatesAlaskaHawaii
1 14,712.50 18,400.00 16,937.50
2 19,912.50 24,900.00 22,912.50
3 25,112.50 31,400.00 28,887.50
4 30,312.50 37,900.00 34,862.50
5 35,512.50 44,400.00 40,837.50
6 40,712.50 50,900.00 46,812.50
7 45,912.50 57,400.00 52,787.50
8 51,112.50 63,900.00 58,762.50
For each additional 5,200.00 6,500.00 5,975.00
300 of the 2015 HHS Poverty Guidelines
1 35,310.00 44,160.00 40,650.00
2 47,790.00 59,760.00 54,990.00
3 60,270.00 75,360.00 69,330.00
4 72,750.00 90,960.00 83,670.00
5 85,230.00 106,560.00 98,010.00
6 97,710.00 122,160.00 112,350.00
7 110,190.00 137,760.00 126,690.00
8 122,670.00 153,360.00 141,030.00
For each additional 12,480.00 15,600.00 14,340.00
SOURCE: Federal Register, January 22, 2015 www.federalregister.gov.
Do you need to make a payment.
You can mail a check or money order no cash to:
You can also make payments online at www.txsurchargeonline.com or by telephone at 1 800 688-6882.
Click here to view and print a pamphlet PDF about surcharge information.
The Driver Responsibility Program is governed by Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 708, which established a system to assess surcharges based on certain traffic offenses that have occurred on or after September 1, 2003.
A surcharge is an administrative fee charged to a driver based on the convictions reported to the driving record. There are two criteria that determine if a surcharge will be assessed. Those two criteria are: Point System and Conviction Based surcharges.
Surcharges are in addition to all other reinstatement fees required for other administrative actions and do not replace any administrative suspension, revocation, disqualification or cancellation action that results from these same convictions.
Points are assessed to moving traffic violation convictions. Once the conviction has been added to the driver record, points will be assigned and will remain on the driver record for a period of three 3 years. Points are assigned as follows:
Two 2 points for a Texas or out-of-state moving violation conviction. Moving violations are defined by 37 TEX. ADMIN. CODE 15.89.
Three 3 points for a Texas or out-of-state moving violation conviction that resulted in a crash.
A surcharge will be assessed when the driver accumulates a total of six 6 points or more on the driver record. The driver is required to pay a 100 surcharge for the first six 6 points and 25 for each additional point.
The driver record will be reviewed annually and if it continues to reflect six 6 or more points, the surcharge will be assessed. Drivers may be required to pay for one or more years. Point surcharges may vary with each annual assessment if convictions are added or removed from the driver record.
Drivers who receive a conviction for one of the offenses below will pay an annual surcharge for a period of three 3 years from the date of conviction. No points are assessed for these offenses because the surcharge is automatic upon conviction.
1st Driving While Intoxicated DWI Offense
Texas or out-of state conviction
DWI with blood alcohol concentration of 0.16 or more
For example: license is canceled,
For example: no driver license, expired license, no commercial driver license, or endorsement
The vendor who collects the surcharge for the Department is allowed to charge service fees in addition to the surcharge. The fees allowed are:
Service fee of 4 of the original surcharge amount.
Installment plan payment fee of 2.50 per partial payment.
Credit/Debit Card fee of 2.25 of payment plus 0.25 except where prohibited by law.
Electronic Check fee of 2.00 per payment.
The initial notice to the driver will be mailed to the address on record with the Department, so it is important to make sure you notify the Department when your address changes. The surcharge must be paid within 30 days to prevent the suspension of driving privileges. Upon suspension for failure to comply with the surcharge requirements, driving privileges remain suspended until the person establishes an installment agreement, or pays in full all surcharges and related costs, such as service/collection fees.
DPS now offers an indigency program that reduces surcharges owed for some people with incomes at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Only surcharges that were assessed on or after September 30, 2004 are eligible for reduction.
The program reduces the surcharge amount owed to 10 percent of the total or 250, whichever is less. It will also stop suspension of driving privileges for participants who are making payments, as long as there are no other license restrictions.
To learn more about eligibility requirements, poverty guidelines, and the application process, visit the indigency program page or call 1-866-223-3583.
This program only reduces the amount of surcharges owed to DPS. Participants in the program will still owe the full amount of all other applicable fees, including reinstatement fees and service fees.
Who receives the money collected
Each surcharge collected by the Department under this law will be remitted to the Texas State Comptroller s office on a monthly basis. The Trauma Center and Texas General Revenue Funds receive 99 of the revenue collected, while the Department receives the remaining 1 for the administration of the program.
For account information, payment options, or Frequently Asked Questions, you may visit www.txsurchargeonline.com or call Municipal Services Bureau at 1- 800 -688-6882. The Municipal Services Bureau is the vendor responsible for the mailing of surcharge notices and collection of all fees.
1 Transportation Code, Section 708.158.
Indigency Program. The Texas Legislature authorized the Indigency Program to give individuals the opportunity to pay surcharges owed under the Driver Responsibility.
TxDPS - Surcharges, Driver Responsibility Program
- The Texas Driver Responsibility Program is a failure for Texas. This site documents the DRP in Texas and its negative effect on our state.
