Sec. 521.223.  HARDSHIP LICENSE.  (a)  The department may issue a license to a person who complies with the requirements of Subsection (b) if the department finds that:
(1)  the failure to issue the license will result in an unusual economic hardship for the family of the applicant;
(2)  the license is necessary because of the illness of a member of the applicant's family;  or
(3)  the license is necessary because the applicant is enrolled in a vocational education program and requires a driver's license to participate in the program.
(b)  An applicant for a license under Subsection (a) must be 15 years of age or older and must:
(1)  have passed a driver education course approved by the department, which may be a course approved under Chapter 1001, Education Code; and
(2)  pass the examination required by Section 521.161.
(c)  To be eligible to take the driver training course, the person must be at least 14 years of age.
(d)  Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1121, Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2011.
(e)  A person who is refused a driver's license under this section may appeal to the county court of the county in which the person resides.  The court may try the matter on the request of the petitioner or respondent.
(f)  In the manner provided by Subchapter N, the department shall suspend a license issued under this section if the holder of the license is convicted of two or more moving violations committed within a 12-month period.
(g)  The department may issue a hardship license to a person who is subject to the registration requirements under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure, and is otherwise eligible for the license.  A hardship license issued under this section must include a photograph of the person.
Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 30.81(a), 30.82, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 546, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
Amended by: 
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1121 (H.B. 90), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1121 (H.B. 90), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1044 (H.B. 1786), Sec. 64, eff. September 1, 2015.