What is a license suspension?
A license suspension is ordered by your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. If your driver’s license is suspended, it means that under no circumstances are you allowed to operate a motor vehicle. License suspensions may also be referred to as administrative license suspensions or administrative license revocations.
How do you know if your license is suspended?
You can check your driving record with your state’s DMV. Furthermore, you may be able to check your driving record online to see if your license is suspended.
How does your license get suspended after a DUI?
In most parts of the country, a DUI arrest will result in two hearings. One is with the criminal court and the other is called an administrative hearing and that is with the DMV. The administrative hearing will determine whether or not your license should get suspended.
Unfortunately, it is really easy to get your license suspended after a DUI, especially if you don’t act fast. First of all, you need to contact the DMV and schedule your administrative hearing after a DUI arrest. If you don’t do this within a certain number of days, your license can get suspended, even if you are found innocent in criminal court! Additionally, in some states, if you refuse a breathalyzer test, your license may automatically get suspended, no matter what.
How do you avoid a license suspension after a DUI?
There are two very important steps to avoiding a license suspension after a DUI. The first is to find an attorney right away. An experienced drunk driving defense attorney knows how to defend you in an administrative hearing and it greatly improves your chances of saving your driving privileges.
The next step is to contact your state’s DMV right away to schedule your administrative hearing. In most states, you have ten days to contact the DMV. However, the time limit may be fewer days in other states. Therefore, it is important to act fast. Additionally, if you hire an attorney right away, he or she can assist you with scheduling your administrative hearing.
What happens if you drive while your license is suspended?
If you get pulled over while driving on a suspended license, you will be facing a misdemeanor charge. You would need to reappear in court where you will likely get your probation extended, your suspension extended, or even mandatory jail time, depending on the severity of your arrest.
Remember, if you are driving in a different state on a suspended license, you can still get in trouble. Many states are part of the Driver License Compact or the National Driver Register. These are programs where states share information with other states about your driving history. Therefore, if you get pulled over in another state, the police will know that you are driving on a suspended license. As a result, you will still have to face additional punishments.
How do you get a restricted license?
If your inability to legally drive presents itself as a legitimate hardship, for example, you could lose your job or you have no other way of transporting your children to school, you can apply for what is usually known as a restricted license or a hardship license. Of course, you may need to apply to see if you qualify. Your attorney can help you figure out if a hardship license is an option for you.
Additionally, you may also qualify to install an ignition interlock device. This is a breathalyzer that you blow into in order to start your car. If the device detects alcohol, your car will not start and the court will be notified that you attempted to start your car while under the influence.
How do you get your driver’s license back?
Most likely, you will receive a letter in the mail saying that your license suspension is over and that you may begin the process to reinstate your driver’s license. You’ll likely have to pay a fee to reinstate your license which is usually $150 – $250 dollars, depending on your states’ DUI laws.
Any more questions about license suspensions?
When you hire an attorney, remember you will be working with someone who has worked with people exactly in the same situation as you. An experienced DUI attorney will be able to address your concerns while also building an aggressive defense for you so you won’t have to face a criminal conviction.
