Section 16: Crash/Judgment

A crash case is the result of the Department receiving notice that an individual was involved in a crash that resulted in a death, an injury, or property damages of at least $1000. If a crash case is filed, the at-fault driver is subject to a driver license suspension.

A judgment is the result of a court submitting to DPS, a certified copy of an unsatisfied judgment due to a crash.  In this instance, the individual with whom the judgment is rendered against is subject to a driver license suspension. 

If a police report is filed, the crash will appear on every person's record that was involved in the crash regardless of fault.

To obtain the status of a crash case, an SR-106 along with a $7 check or money order must be mailed to the department.

Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 601.152 allows the party at loss to file a judgment against the owner of the vehicle even if the owner was not driving the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Please contact the Department of Transportation Crash Records Section  or call (800) 558-9368.

Yes. However, in order for the hearing to be granted it must be requested within 20 days of the date of notice submitted to you by the Department. A hearing can be requested online or by fax, email or mail.

• Fax: (512) 424-2501
• Email: Hearings
• Mail: Texas Department of Public Safety
          ATTN: ECS
          PO Box 4087
          Austin, TX 78773

You can submit any of the following options to comply with a crash case:

• A notarized Release (SR-11) signed by the party at loss
• A notarized Installment Agreement (SR-19) signed by both parties
• A security deposit for the full amount of crash damages listed in the order of suspension
• Evidence of a settlement in the form of cancelled checks or money orders totaling the amount of damages listed on the original suspension notice
• A copy of an insurance policy or letter signed by an insurance agent on insurance company letterhead demonstrating a coverage period including the crash date with no lapse in coverage. The policy or letter must specifically state that you were covered to drive the vehicle involved in the crash
• An application for reinstatement of driver license and registration under the Safety Responsibility Act (SR-60), provided two (2) years have elapsed since the date of the crash or the date of the default (if the crash case is in default) and no judgment has been filed

Visit the Reinstating Your Driver License page, to find ways to submit your compliance.

NOTE: A reinstatement fee of $100 will be owed if the license was suspended prior to the crash case being cleared. Visit the Reinstating Your Driver License page, to find ways to pay your reinstatement fee.

To have the enforcement lifted you can submit an Affidavit of Dormant Judgment (SR-88), also known as a Certification of no Execution on Dormant Judgment. However, if the judgment is not satisfied, the party that filed the judgment has the ability to renew it for an additional 10 years.

No, the final decision has already been made by the court.

Yes. If no more than two (2) years have elapsed since the date that the last payment was due, you may submit a copy of the original installment agreement along with a Notice of Default on Installment Agreement (SR-73) to the department for the license of the at-fault driver to be suspended.

To build a crash case against someone, you must submit the following information to DPS:

1. Proof of $1000 or more in damages, which may include vehicle damages and medical bills for bodily injury
2. A peace officer's crash report showing the uninsured driver as the party at fault or a driver confidential crash report (CR2) with statements from two uninvolved witnesses
3. If applicable, a denial letter from the at-fault driver's insurance company showing that they were not covered at the time of the crash

Documents must be submitted in one of the following ways:

• Fax: (512) 424-2848
• Email: Driver Improvement
• Mail: Texas Department of Public Safety
          ATTN: ECS
          PO Box 4087
          Austin, TX 78773

NOTE: For ECS to initiate a crash suspension, the crash must have occurred on a public street or highway, or private property that is open to public access.

For accident reports, please contact the Department of Transportation Crash Records Section  or call (800) 558-9368.

If you do not find the answer to your question listed here within our FAQ's, you can always contact our Customer Service Center for assistance.