Asked 2/3/2016 – Houston, TX

I received a ticket for no insurance about 5 years ago which i did have insurance just no proof. It completely slipped my mind (which is my fault). Recently i bit the bullet and paid the ticket and failure to appear so that i could get my drivers license renewed. 3 weeks later i got a letter in the mail saying i need to pay $780 to keep my drivers license from getting suspended for the same offense i just paid.

Answer

Surcharges are assessed on your driver’s license after you have been found guilty of certain offenses. This is basically a tax imposed by the Department of Public Safety. The legal argument why this is not double jeopardy? This is voluntary; you do not HAVE to have a driver’s license. If you voluntarily choose to have a driver’s license, however, the DPS can imposes whatever costs and requirements it deems necessary. You can request these surcharges be removed or reduced. You must file an indigency application which can be found on the DPS website, You will also have to attach certain documents to this application, so read the application carefully.,