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Texas DPS Driver Responsibility Surcharge
Online Services System Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Driver Responsibility Program(DRP)?
Q: How does DRP work?
Q: How do I know when to pay a surcharge?
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: I don't have a Texas driver license so why do I have to pay a
surcharge?
Q: One of the traffic convictions on my driving record should
actually have been reported as a Driver Safety Course (DDC). How can I have
this corrected?
Q: I received a Surcharge Notice that says I have a conviction on my
record but that ticket was dismissed by the court.
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: 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 driver license is suspended for
failing to pay a surcharge. I never received anything from DPS telling me that
I owe a surcharge.
Q: Why did I receive a subsequent notice informing me that my
driving privileges are suspended?
Q: Why did I receive a telephone contact from Municipal Services
Bureau regarding my surcharge account?
Q: I have received a notice informing me that I have accrued 4 or 5
points; what do I need to do?
Q: What is the State going to do with the money collected under DRP?
Q: What are service fees and why do I have to pay them?
Q: I defaulted on my installment plan; what happens now?
Q: Can I change my due date for the installment agreement?
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 Money Gram or Western
Union; 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 a payment by electronic check?
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 are online available payment options?
Q: What information do I need to make a 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:What is the payment processing timeframe / How long will it
take my driving record to be updated?
Q: Whom do I contact with technical
difficulties in operating the site?
Q: How do I contact DPS?
Q: What browser versions does the application support?
Q: What is the Driver Responsibility Program?
A: The Driver Responsibility Program (DRP) can be located in TRC Chapter
708 and was enacted by the 78th legislative session (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.
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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. DPS will assign points to a person's license as follows upon
conviction:
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Two points for a moving violation conviction in Texas or that of another state.
Moving violations are defined by
37 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §15.89, which includes a list of those
violations that will be assigned points.
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Points will not be assigned for speeding less than 10% over the posted limit or
for seat belt violations.
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Child Safety Seat violations will accrue two points.
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Three points for a moving violation conviction in Texas or another state that
resulted in an accident.
DPS 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 other
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 following offense information and
associated surcharges are listed below:
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Driving While Intoxicated or a DWI-related offense
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First time offense = $1,000
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Second or subsequent offense = $1,500
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DWI with Blood Alcohol Content 0.16 or greater = $2,000
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Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility= $250
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Driving While License Invalid = $250
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Driving without a Valid 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. Therefore, 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 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.texasonline.state.tx.us.
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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.
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Q: How do I know which traffic offenses will result in points?
A: Traffic offenses resulting in points are designated by
37 TAC §15.89. Please view the "attached graphic" for the list of
violations.
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Q: Do offenses which occurred prior to September 1, 2003 count under
the Driver Responsibility Program?
A: No. Due to amendments to TRC 708, by HB 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.
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Q: What about out of state convictions; will they accrue surcharges?
A: Yes.
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Any conviction for a traffic offense that meets the definition of a moving
violation will accrue points.
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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 DWLI, no DL, and no insurance
will not be assessed a surcharge.
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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 DRP must
pay the surcharge. If these individuals fail to submit the payment DPS will
suspend their driving privilege in Texas. This not only prevents issuance of a
Texas license but may also affect their ability to obtain or renew a license in
other states.
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Q: One of the traffic convictions on my driving record should actually
have been reported as a Driver Safety Course (DDC). How can I have this
corrected?
A: Contact the court that reported the information to DPS. DPS must
receive written documentation from the court in order to correct the driving
record.
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Q: I received a Surcharge Notice that says I have a conviction on my
record but that ticket was dismissed by the court.
A: Contact the court that reported the information to DPS. DPS must
receive written documentation from the court in order to correct the driving
record.
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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.
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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 DPS Customer Service to provide proof of insurance so
your SR suspension may be lifted. However, please note that this will not
remove the conviction from your driver record and you will still be required to
pay the surcharge.
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Q: I received a Surcharge Notice. Do I have to pay the full amount at
one time to prevent suspension of my license?
A: No. Installment plans are available. Please contact Municipal
Services Bureau (MSB) by phone at 1-800-688-6882 or by email at
msb@txdps.state.tx.us for more information regarding installment
agreements. A fee of $2.50 will apply to each monthly payment. Please note that
once an installment agreement 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 agreement 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.
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Q: I just received notice that my driver license is revoked for
failing to pay a surcharge. I never received anything from DPS telling me that
I owe a surcharge.
A: The Surcharge Notice advising of payment requirement and pending
revocation action will be mailed to the address of record as shown on the
driver record. State law requires an address change to be updated within 30
days for non-CDL and CDL drivers.
Suspension notices and monthly reminder notices are mailed to the address
provided by the National Change of Address program (if different from the
address of record), which is offered by the United States Postal Service.
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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.
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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. Municipal Services Bureau will begin
contacting customers by telephone as a reminder that your surcharge account is
in default and to provide payment options. All state and federal laws
regulating telephone collections will govern this process.
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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.
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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 DPS will
receive 1% for administration of the program.
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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:
o Service fee will be charged per installment agreement payment: $2.50
o TexasOnline Service Fees: 2.75% of surcharge amount plus $0.25 (Note: if paying by eCheck the TexasOnline Service Fee will be discounted to $2.00)
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Q: I defaulted on my installment plan; what happens now?
A: You may reenter an installment agreement one time per surcharge
requirement by submitting the minimum monthly payment. The installment
agreement will be reinstated with the same due date and minimum monthly payment
requirement. If you have a subsequent default on the installment agreement, you
are not eligible to enter another installment agreement for the payment of that
particular surcharge. For a subsequent default, driving privileges will be
automatically suspended until the balance is paid in full.
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Q: Can I change my due date for the installment agreement?
A: Yes, you may request a change to the due date of your monthly payment
as part of the installment agreement. A due date change is only permitted one
time per surcharge requirement. Please contact Municipal Services Bureau (MSB)
by phone at 1-800-688-6882 or by email at msb@txdps.state.tx.us
for more information regarding due date changes.
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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. No amount greater than $10 in coins will be
accepted for any single payment transaction.
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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 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 at any Wal-Mart Location per transaction. 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.
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Receive Code: 6139
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Your 6 character reference number that is 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. Payments made to Municipal
Services Bureau take 1 – 2 business days from receipt of payment to post to
your account and approximately 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 or 512-454-4759 for any questions about this or other forms of
payment.
Western Union Quick Collect
Payments for your surcharge account can be sent from 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:
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Pay to: Municipal Services Bureau
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Code City: DPS
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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 approximately
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 or
512-454-4759 for any questions about this or other forms of payment.
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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 an IVR system. The pay by phone IVR can be reached by calling the main
line at 1-800-688-6882 and from the menu tree options, select 1 for Payment
Options, then 2 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.txdps.state.tx.us 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.
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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. The first step is to Login at www.txdps.state.tx.us,
selecting 'online services', and then entering the reference number located on
the top right hand side of conviction surcharge notice and the driver license
number or identification card number (or DPS assigned number) located on the
conviction surcharge notice.
The system will prompt for bank account and payment information. A confirmation
number will be provided at the end of the transaction.
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Q: What information do I need to make a payment by electronic
check-by-phone?
A: In order to make a payment by electronic check, the driver license or
identification card (or DPS 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.
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Q: I would like to pay my surcharge by credit card; will this be a
payment option?
A: Yes. Currently, payments are accepted via the web by visiting
www.txdps.state.tx.us and clicking on online services. Specific
questions regarding payment should be directed by phone to 1-800-688-6882 or by
email to msb@txdps.state.tx.us.
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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.
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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 DPS 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 DPS), and the reference number located on
the top right hand side of conviction surcharge notice.
The system will prompt for credit card and payment information. A confirmation
number will be provided at the end of the transaction.
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Q: What are online available payment options?
A: The application allows payment via credit cards and electronic check.
The following four credit cards are accepted:
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Visa
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MasterCard
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Discover
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American Express
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.
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Q: What information do I need to make a credit card payment online?
A: In order to make a payment online, the billing name and address, a
valid credit card number, and expiration date of the credit card are required.
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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 which will indicate "Authorization Approved" and contains a
Transaction 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.
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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.
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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 approximately
up to 5-7 business days from receipt of payment to update to your driving
record.
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Q: Who do I contact with technical difficulties in operating the site?
A: For technical assistance, you can contact Municipal Services Bureau
(MSB) at 1-800-688-6882 from 8AM to 9PM Monday - Thursday, 8AM - 6PM Friday,
& 8AM - 12PM Saturday.
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Q: How do I contact DPS?
A: You may contact DPS Customer Service at 512-424-2600 or by email at
drp@txdps.state.tx.us.
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Q: What browser versions does the application support?
A: The application will support any standards-compliant web browser
including Internet Explorer Versions 5.0 and higher, Netscape Navigator Version
6.0 and higher, Mozilla, and Opera 7.
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