Sorting Out The DUI Driver's License Confusion

Law Blog

If you have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI), the punishment largely centers around preventing you from driving for a certain period of time. Along with possible jail time and fines, those charged with and then convicted of DUI might have their license suspended or even revoked. To gain a better understanding of what these two terms mean, read on.

DUI Charges and Driving Privileges

Neither suspensions nor revocations are good things. Most people rely on transportation to go to work, school, and doctor's appointments and to buy food. As you go through the process of taking care of your legal affairs, keep in mind that the DMV operates separately from the court system. You may find yourself appealing to both entities to gain your driving privileges back, even on a limited basis.

Driver's License Suspensions

This level of privilege removal is the less serious one, but only in that suspensions are meant to be temporary. In many states, a suspension may be for a finite time period, like six months, or for an indefinite time period. That means you will need to fulfill all the other DUI punishments and then apply for reinstatement. In most cases, you can expect very high fees for a suspended license to be reinstated.

Driver's License Revocations

When a license is revoked, it will never be reinstated. Revocations are reserved for the worst DUI offenders. Those who repeatedly re-offend, for example, may permanently lose their driving privileges. Once a license is suspended, it could only take one bad move for a revocation to occur. In most cases, there are related factors that elevate things to a permanent revocation, which might include:

  • Driving with a suspended license (a felony, in many cases).
  • Being involved in an accident while driving with a suspended license.
  • Injuring another driver, a law enforcement officer, a passenger, or a pedestrian while driving on a suspended license.
  • Committing concurrent crimes while driving with a suspended license (such as fleeing from law enforcement, reckless driving, etc.).

Don't Let It Happen to You

You have some time to make things right before you are convicted of DUI. Almost all DUI arrests present an opportunity to have the charges dropped or reduced so you don't have to worry about your driving privileges. DUI attorneys understand what it takes to get those charges adjusted and how to get the judge to provide you with limited driving privileges while you work things out. Contact a DUI lawyer in your area to learn more.

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14 December 2020

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