What occurs if a driver refuses a chemical test during a DUI stop in Texas?

When a driver refuses a chemical test during a DUI stop in Texas, their license will be automatically suspended for 180 days. This is in accordance with Texas's implied consent law, which states that by operating a vehicle, drivers consent to submit to chemical testing if they are lawfully arrested for driving under the influence. Refusal to take a breath or blood test leads to an immediate administrative penalty, which is the automatic suspension of the driver's license. This suspension serves as a deterrent against refusing the test and aims to support the enforcement of DUI laws.

The other choices do not adequately reflect the consequences of refusal. For instance, warning the driver and letting them go does not align with the legal framework that requires consequences for refusal. Facing only a fine diminishes the severity of the consequence stipulated by law, and stating that a judge will decide the consequences later does not apply, as the automatic suspension is enacted immediately rather than requiring judicial input.