Does surcharge fees still on til you pay it all off?

Under current Texas law, surcharges from DPS will persist until they are paid. However, you do not need to pay them if you do not need a Driver's License. You should be able to get a Texas ID Card without paying the surcharges. Unfortunately, these hidden fees are one of the biggest problems for Defendants in Texas, especially in DWI cases. I've had many clients plea to other charges, despite having good cases for trial, just to avoid the risk of paying these surcharges. If you want to fight your DWI, then you should start saving immediately in case you lose. A bill that might have changed the surcharge problem was defeated in the last legislative session, but a growing number of people oppose this unfair method of raising money by the State. I urge you to call your State representative and senator. The current trend in Texas is to use DPS as a means of further punishing Defendants and/or ensuring that they comply with the terms of their probation. Always ask about potential surcharges or consequences to your license as many offenses now carry collateral consequences with DPS. A few such offenses are possession of marijuana, DWI convictions (and even arrests, in many cases), failure to maintain insurance, driving without a license, and even getting points on your license. These surcharges are cumulative. The Texas DPS website has a FAQ about surcharges and a link that will help you figure out how much you owe. You may also pay online.