FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Note: The Department refers to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Questions about the Program and Driving Histories:

Q: What is the Driver Responsibility Program?
Q: How does DRP work?
Q: How many points are on my driving history?
Q: How do I know which traffic offenses will result in points?
Q: Do offenses which occurred prior to September 1, 2003 count under the Driver Responsibility Program?
Q: What about out of state convictions; will they accrue surcharges?
Q: What is the State going to do with the money collected under DRP?

Questions about Surcharges, Payments, and Payment Options:

Q: How do I know when to pay a surcharge?
Q: I don't have a Texas driver license so why do I have to pay a surcharge?
Q: I have multiple convictions for "No Insurance" that require the filing of an SR-22, will I also have to pay a surcharge?
Q: What are service fees and why do I have to pay them?
Q: I defaulted on my installment plan; what happens now?
Q: How is my due date for the installment plan determined?
Q: Can I change my due date for the installment plan?
Q: I would like to pay my surcharge in cash; will this be a payment option?
Q: I would like to pay my surcharge using a Money Gram Express Payment or Western Union Quick Collect Payment; will this be a payment option?
Q: I would like to pay my surcharge by electronic check; will this be a payment option?
Q: How does the payment of surcharge by phone using electronic check process work?
Q: What information do I need to make an electronic check payment?
Q: I would like to pay my surcharge by credit card; will this be a payment option?
Q: Can commercial driver license holders use the online or electronic check service?
Q: How does the online payment of surcharge process work?
Q: What is the payment processing timeframe? How long will it take my driving record to be updated?
Q: What are the available online payment options?
Q: What information do I need to make a credit card payment online?
Q: How do I know my payment transaction was successfully completed?
Q: Can I print the payment receipt after completing the request?
Q: Why do I see a $1.01 charge on my statement when I pay my surcharge using my credit/debit card?

Questions about Notices and Telephone Contact:

Q: I received a Surcharge Notice that says I have a conviction on my record but that ticket was dismissed by the court or it should have been reported as a Driver Safety Course. How can I have this corrected?
Q: Why did I receive a telephone contact from Municipal Services Bureau regarding my surcharge account?
Q: I received a Surcharge Notice that says I have a No Insurance conviction on my record but I had insurance at the time of the offense.
Q: I received a Surcharge Notice. Do I have to pay the full amount at one time to prevent suspension of my driving privileges?
Q: I just received notice that my driving privileges are revoked for failing to pay a surcharge. I never received anything from the Department telling me that I owe a surcharge.
Q: Why did I receive a subsequent notice informing me that my driving privileges are suspended?
Q: I have received a notice informing me that I have accrued 4 or 5 points; what do I need to do?

Questions about the Online Service:

Q: Whom do I contact with technical difficulties in operating the site?
Q: What browser versions does the application support?

Q: What is the Driver Responsibility Program?

A:The Driver Responsibility Program can be located in Transportation Code Chapter 708 and was enacted by the 78th Texas Legislature (House Bill 3588). This law requires the Department to assess surcharges based on certain traffic offenses. This program does not replace other administrative suspension, or revocation actions that result from these same convictions. The surcharges assessed for this program are in addition to other reinstatement fees required for other administrative actions.

Q: How does DRP work?

A: Surcharges are assessed using one of two methods.

POINTS: Points are assessed to moving violations classified as Class C misdemeanors. The Department will assign points to a person's driver license as follows upon conviction:

Two points for a moving violation conviction in Texas or that of another state. Moving violations are defined by 37 TEX. ADMIN. CODE Â§15.89 which includes a list of those violations that will be assigned points.
Points will not be assigned for speeding less than 10% over the posted limit or for seat belt violations.
Child Safety Seat violations will accrue two points.
Three points are assigned for a moving violation conviction in Texas or another state that resulted in a crash.

The Department will assess a surcharge when the driver accumulates a total of six (6) points or more on their driver record during a three-year period. The surcharge assessment will be reviewed annually. If the driver record continues to reflect six or more points during the prior three-year period, the surcharge will be assessed.

Therefore, drivers may be required to pay for one or more years if six or more points continue to accumulate on the driver record. The driver must pay a $100 surcharge for the first six points and $25 for each additional point. Point surcharges are cumulative and may vary with each annual assessment if convictions are added or removed from the driver record.

OTHER: Surcharges are also assessed for certain convictions as defined by law. The surcharge amount varies based upon the type of violation committed. No points are accessed for these offenses because the surcharge is automatic upon conviction. The offense information and associated surcharges are listed below:

Driving While Intoxicated or a DWI-related offense
- First time offense = $1,000
- Second or subsequent offense = $1,500
- DWI with Blood Alcohol Content 0.16 or greater = $2,000
Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility= $250
Driving While Driver License Invalid = $250
Driving without a Valid Driver License (i.e. No Driver License, No Commercial Driver License, No Endorsement Violation, No Motorcycle License, Operate with License for other Class Vehicle) = $100

Surcharges, which are cumulative, are automatically assessed for these convictions. For example, an initial conviction for DWI will be assessed $1,000 annually, and a subsequent DWI conviction within the same three-year period will be assessed an additional $1,500 annually.

Q: How many points are on my driving history?

A: To obtain a list of the traffic convictions posted to your driving history, a copy of your driver record may be purchased for a fee. Driver records may be purchased online or by submitting a written request through the mail. Click here for more information on purchasing a copy of your driver record.

Q: How do I know which traffic offenses will result in points?

A: Traffic offenses resulting in points are designated by 37 TAC Â§15.89. Please view the "attached graphic" for the list of violations.

Q: Do offenses which occurred prior to September 1, 2003 count under the Driver Responsibility Program?

No. Due to amendments to Transportation Code Chapter 708, by House Bill 2 in the Third Special Session of the 78th Legislative Session, only offenses that occur on or after September 1, 2003 will be assessed points or surcharges.

Q: What about out of state convictions; will they accrue surcharges?

A: Yes. Any conviction for a traffic offense that meets the definition of a moving violation will accrue points. Any out of state conviction relating to the operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated will be assessed the DWI surcharge. Other conviction based surcharges require convictions under specific Texas statutes; therefore, out of state convictions for Driving While License Invalid, No Driver License, and No Insurance will not be assessed a surcharge.

Q: What is the State going to do with the money collected under DRP?

A: The revenue collected will be directed to the Texas Trauma Center Fund and the Texas General Revenue Fund. Each will receive 49.5% and the Department will receive 1% for administration of the program.

Questions about Surcharges, Payments, and Payment Options

Q: How do I know when to pay a surcharge?

A: You will be mailed written notice of the surcharge requirement to the address of record on file with the Department. To change your address you may visit your local Driver License Office or you may be eligible to change your address online at www.Texas.gov.

Q: I don't have a Texas driver license so why do I have to pay a surcharge?

A: Individuals who have a Texas Identification Card or have an unlicensed driver history who receive convictions that qualify under the Driver Responsibility Program must pay the surcharge. If these individuals fail to submit the payment, the Department will suspend their driving privilege in Texas. This not only prevents issuance of a Texas driver license but may also affect their ability to obtain or renew a driver license in other states.

Q: I have multiple convictions for "No Insurance" that require the filing of an SR-22, will I also have to pay a surcharge?

A: Yes. Any violation that occurred on or after September 1, 2003 will incur a surcharge of $250 each year for 3 years.

Q: What are service fees and why do I have to pay them?

A: Transportation Code Chapter 708 authorized the Department to contract with a third party to collect surcharges owed and allows the third party vendor to charge a service fee in addition to the surcharge. This fee is equal to 4% of the original surcharge amount. There are additional fees for payments made using the services available online or by telephone and installment plans, as follows:

Service fee will be charged per installment plan payment: $2.50
Electronic Payment Service Fee (except where prohibited by law): 2.25% of surcharge amount plus $0.25 (Note: if paying by eCheck the Electronic Payment Service Fee will be discounted to $2.00)

Q: I defaulted on my installment plan; what happens now?

A: You may reenter an installment plan one time per surcharge requirement by submitting the minimum monthly payment. The installment plan will be reinstated with the same due date and minimum monthly payment requirement. If you have a subsequent default on the installment plan, you are not eligible to enter another installment plan for the payment of that particular surcharge. For a subsequent default, driving privileges will be automatically suspended until the balance is paid in full.

Q: How is my due date for the installment plan determined?

A: Surcharge payments are based on “cycle billing”, which requires payments be posted within a particular date range to count for each month’s payment. The first minimum payment applied to an account automatically begins an installment plan. The cycle billing format requires that a minimum payment be made to each account in an installment plan no earlier than 20 days before and no later than 10 days past the due date on each account. An overpayment or multiple payments tendered in one “cycle” will reduce the balance; however, a minimum payment will still be due for the next “cycle”. A payment not made in the next cycle will result in a default and suspension of driving privileges.

Q: Can I change my due date for the installment plan?

A: Yes, you may request a change to the due date of your monthly payment as part of the installment plan. A due date change is only permitted one time per surcharge account. Please contact Municipal Services Bureau (MSB) by phone at 1-800-688-6882 or by email at dpsinquiry@gilacorp.com for more information regarding due date changes.

Q: I would like to pay my surcharge in cash; will this be a payment option?

A: Yes; however, payments in cash are only accepted in the lobby of Municipal Services Bureau. MSB is located at 6505 Airport Blvd. Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78752. The lobby is open to the public from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cash payments must be made with exact change. No amount greater than $10 in coins will be accepted for any single payment transaction.

Q: I would like to pay my surcharge using a Money Gram Express Payment or Western Union Quick Collect Payment; will this be a payment option?

A: Yes, payments can be made directly via MoneyGram Express Payment Services or Western Union Quick Collect for your surcharge accounts.

MoneyGram
Payments for your surcharge account can be sent from any of the over 29,000 MoneyGram locations, including Wal-Mart and CVS Pharmacies, using their MoneyGram Express Payment service. You will be charged a service fee of $9.95 per transaction or $9.50 per transaction at any Wal-Mart Location. Call 1-800-926-9400 or visit www.moneygram.com to find the nearest location. At the MoneyGram station, please fill out the blue Express Payment form with the following information.

Receive Code: 6139
Your 6-character reference number, found on your surcharge notice

Be sure your name and 6-character reference number, found on your surcharge notice, are correctly written on the form. Please send separate transactions if you are paying for multiple surcharge accounts. Western Union Quick Collect
Payments for your surcharge account can be sent from over 45,000 Western Union Agent locations nationwide by using their convenient "Quick Collect" service. Call 1-800-325-6000, or visit www.westernunion.com to find a Western Union Agent Location near you. At the Agent Location, fill out the blue Quick Collect form completely, including the following information:

Pay to: Municipal Services Bureau
Code City: DPS
Code State: TX

Be sure your name and 6-character reference number, found on your surcharge notice, are correctly written on the form. Please include your Texas driver license or identification card number on the attention line of the Quick Collect Form.

The Western Union fee varies depending on the service option selected. Please send separate transactions if you are paying for multiple surcharge accounts.

Payments made to Municipal Services Bureau take 1 – 2 business days from receipt of payment to post to your account and up to 5-7 business days from receipt of payment to update to your driving record. Please contact Municipal Services Bureau at 1-800-688-6882 for any questions about this or other forms of payment.

Q: I would like to pay my surcharge by electronic check; will this be a payment option?

A: Yes. Currently, payments are accepted 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week using a telephonic system via the toll-free number for MSB at 1-800-688-6882. From the menu tree options, select 1 for Check by Phone. Payments can be scheduled for the date of the call or in advance. Electronic check payments are also accepted via the web by visiting www.txsurchargeonline.com and clicking on online services.

Only checks drawn on United States banks will be accepted for payment. We may re-present any dishonored check or electronic check to the bank the check is drawn upon up to two additional times in accordance with state and federal laws in an effort to collect outstanding fees.

Q: How does the payment of surcharge by phone using electronic check process work?

A: The electronic check-by-phone payment of surcharges is a simple process. Simply call 1-800-688-6882 and select the option to pay by phone. You will need your Driver License or ID Card Number, Date of Birth, and zip code to access the telephone account lookup and payment system. Follow the prompts to locate the account you wish to make a payment on, and the system will prompt for bank account and payment information. A confirmation number will be provided at the end of the transaction.

Q: What information do I need to make an electronic check payment?

A: In order to make a payment by electronic check, the driver license or identification card (or Department assigned number), the reference number, the bank routing number, and the checking/savings/money market account number are required. Only checks drawn on United States banks will be accepted for payment. We may re-present any dishonored check or electronic check to the bank the check is drawn upon up to two additional times in accordance with state and federal laws in an effort to collect outstanding fees.

Q: I would like to pay my surcharge by credit card; will this be a payment option?

A: Yes. Currently, payments are accepted online by visiting www.txsurchargeonline.com and clicking on online services. Specific questions regarding payment should be directed by phone to 1-800-688-6882 or by email to dpsinquiry@gilacorp.com .

Q: Can commercial driver license holders use the online or electronic check service?

A: Yes, commercial driver license holders can use the online or electronic check service to complete payment of their surcharge fees.

Q: How does the online payment of surcharge process work?

A: The online payment of surcharges is a simple process. The first step is to Login by entering the driver license number or identification card number (or the Department assigned number located on the conviction surcharge notice), date of birth, last name of the individual who owes the surcharge (must be entered exactly as it is listed on file with the Department), and the reference number located on the top right hand side of conviction surcharge notice. This step allows the application to do a real-time query of the surcharge database to determine eligibility and fees. The system will prompt for credit card and payment information. A confirmation number will be provided at the end of the transaction.

Q: What is the payment processing timeframe? How long will it take my driving record to be updated?

A: Payments made to Municipal Services Bureau take 1 – 2 business days from receipt of payment to post to your account and up to 5-7 business days from receipt of payment to update to your driving record.

Q: What are the available online payment options?

A: The application accepts payment via credit cards and electronic check. The following four credit cards are accepted:

Visa
MasterCard
Discover
American Express

Only checks drawn on United States banks will be accepted for payment. We may represent any returned check or electronic check received in accordance with state and federal laws in an effort to collect outstanding fees.

Q: What information do I need to make a credit card payment online?

A: In order to make a payment online, you will need the billing name and address, a valid credit card number, and expiration date of the credit card.

Q: How do I know my payment transaction was successfully completed?

A: Your transaction is not complete until a receipt appears on your computer screen that will indicate "Authorization Approved" and contains a confirmation number. If you do not receive the "Authorization Approved" Screen after clicking the "Make Payment" button or experience any other technical issue, please call Customer Service at 1-800-688-6882.

Q: Can I print the payment receipt after completing the request?

A: Yes, a receipt page is available to print once a request is completed.

Q: Why do I see a $1.01 charge on my statement when I pay my surcharge using my credit/debit card?

A: The $1.01 is not a true charge. This is a common practice used by the credit card industry to validate a card. The formal term is ‘Temporary Authorization Charge,’ and it is used to confirm that the card is not reported as lost, stolen, or over the limit prior to a payment being processed.

It is important to note that after a payment is made using your credit/debit card, only the actual payment amount itself will appear on your monthly billing statement. The $1.01 temporary authorization charge will be returned to your card balance within 48-72 hours (depending on the card issuer).

For example:

a) You use your credit card to pay $50 toward a surcharge account.

b) You will see $50 and $1.01 as separate pending transactions immediately following the payment.

c) Once the transactions move from ‘pending’ to ‘settled’ status, the $50 will appear on your monthly billing statement, the $1.01 charge will not.

A: Contact the court that reported the information to the Department. The Department must receive written documentation from the court in order to correct the driving record.

Q: Why did I receive a telephone contact from Municipal Services Bureau regarding my surcharge account?

A: During the 79th Legislative Session, Senate Bill 1723 was passed allowing additional collection methods. As of September 2008, Municipal Services Bureau began contacting customers by telephone as a reminder that the surcharge account is in default and to provide payment options. All state and federal laws regulating telephone collections will govern this process.

Q: I received a Surcharge Notice that says I have a No Insurance conviction on my record but I had insurance at the time of the offense.

A: You may contact the Department to provide proof of insurance so your Safety Responsibility suspension may be lifted. However, this will not remove the conviction from your driver record and you will still be required to pay the surcharge.

Q: I received a Surcharge Notice. Do I have to pay the full amount at one time to prevent suspension of my driving privileges?

A: No. Installment plans are available. Please contact Municipal Services Bureau (MSB) by phone at 1-800-688-6882 or by email at dpsinquiry@gilacorp.com for more information regarding installment plans. A fee of $2.50 will apply to each monthly payment. Please note that once an installment plan has been made, failing to pay as agreed results in a default and driving privileges will be automatically suspended. You may reinstate a defaulted installment plan once by submitting the minimum monthly payment. Should a second default occur, driving privileges will be automatically suspended until the balance is paid in full.

Q: I just received notice that my driving privileges are revoked for failing to pay a surcharge. I never received anything from the Department telling me that I owe a surcharge.

A: The surcharge notice advising of payment requirement and pending revocation action is mailed to the address on the driver record. State law requires an address change on your driver license or identification card to be updated within 30 days to ensure timely receipt of Department notices.

Suspension notices and monthly reminder notices are mailed to the address provided by the National Change of Address program (if different from the address on your driver record), which is offered by the United States Postal Service.

Q: Why did I receive a subsequent notice informing me that my driving privileges are suspended?

A: During the 79th Legislative Session, Senate Bill 1723 was passed allowing additional collection methods. Municipal Services Bureau began mailing subsequent notices in May 2008. The subsequent notice is provided as a reminder that your surcharge account is in default and your driving privileges are suspended.

These notices will be mailed to the most current address available through the National Change of Address program, which is offered by the United States Postal Service and skip tracing. Skip tracing uses manual and batch processing to locate a current address for an individual through various database hosts.

Q: I have received a notice informing me that I have accrued 4 or 5 points; what do I need to do?

A: This is an Advisory Notice for informational purposes only. This is to inform the individual that any additional convictions for moving violations will result in a surcharge requirement. No payment is required until a surcharge has been assessed for accumulating six or more points.

Questions about the Online Service:

Q: Whom do I contact with technical difficulties in operating the site?

A: For technical assistance, you can contact Municipal Services Bureau at 1-800-688-6882 from 8AM to 9PM Monday - Thursday, 8AM - 6PM Friday, & 8AM - 12PM Saturday.

Q: What browser versions does the application support?

A: This site requires Internet Explorer Versions 5.0 or higher, Netscape Navigator Version 6.0 or higher, Mozilla, Safari, and Opera 7. Using unsupported browsers or browser versions, or disabling browser features, such as JavaScript, cookies and SSL, may reduce site functionality or performance.