Q: How to use Bankruptcy filing to re instate my Drivers License and driving privileges?
I spent many years traveling and lived in Canada which didn’t require me to renew my Texas drivers license,Now that I am back in Texas full time I went to get my license and DPS told me that I am ineligible due to a citation and failure to appear received in 2015 in Brazoria county. 2015 I was living in Canada. I hired a traffic attorney about a year ago to resolve the issue and fight both the failure to appear and the moving violations. I paid the attorney and was told it was resolved and dismissed but it is still not released from the failure to appear database and Brazoria county said it was going to be dismissed by paying a $500 fine upon acceptance. I was never informed of this fine nor did I agree to pay ANY fine cause I was not even in the country. The fine is now $907 and they will not accept an installment plan because the judgment was ordered to be paid in full within 10 days. Can I use the Chpt 13 Bankruptcy I filed to reinstate my license? If so how and what are the steps?
A:
Filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy can potentially help reinstate your driver's license if the underlying reason for the suspension is the inability to pay fines associated with the citation and failure to appear.
When you file for Chapter 13, you propose a repayment plan for your debts, which could include the fines owed. As part of the bankruptcy process, you can petition the court to have your driver's license reinstated, arguing that the fines are being handled within the repayment plan.
It would be prudent to inform your bankruptcy attorney of this specific goal so they can take the appropriate steps during the filing process. Be sure to provide all relevant information about the traffic citation and the communication with the traffic attorney to ensure that your case is accurately represented in the bankruptcy proceedings.
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