Eligibility for Driver’s License Reinstatement After a DUI

 Posted on October 15,2020 in DUI

Motorists who commit certain traffic offenses face serious penalties, including hefty fines and restrictions on their driving privileges. Those who have been convicted of driving under the influence (DUI), for example, could end up with their driver’s license suspended or revoked indefinitely. Fortunately, it is possible to have your license reinstated, although the process of doing so can be complicated, so if your own license was recently suspended or revoked, you should speak with an experienced Naperville driver's license suspension lawyer who can walk you through the process of reinstatement.

Summary Suspension

Drivers who are arrested for driving under the influence and are found to have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08 or who are under the influence of a controlled substance will have their driver’s license suspended for between six to twelve months. This is known as a statutory summary suspension and will only terminate once the period of suspension has elapsed and the driver has paid the necessary $250 reinstatement fee. Fortunately, first-time offenders could also be eligible for a Monitoring Device Driving Permit, which allows motorists to drive during their period of suspension as long as their car is equipped with a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID).

Driver’s License Revocation

Drivers who are convicted of driving under the influence will have their licenses revoked for at least a year, even for a first offense. Second offenses, on the other hand, come with a five year revocation period, while third offenses are punishable by a ten-year revocation. Drivers must also satisfy a number of requirements before they can seek reinstatement of their license, including:

• Maintaining a clean driving record
• Undergoing alcohol or drug evaluation
• Completing court-ordered treatment and alcohol education
• Paying the reinstatement fee
• Passing the driver’s license examination
• Attending a hearing with a Secretary of State Officer to prove that they are not a risk to public safety

It’s important to note that drivers cannot request reinstatement of their license until their eligibility date. The only exception to this is the Restricted Driving Permit (RDP), which drivers can apply for if they need to transport themselves for employment purposes, recovery meetings, or more medical care. This option is only available to those who can prove that a lack of a vehicle would cause them to suffer hardship and who can also provide proof of employment, attendance at support meetings, or the need for medical care.

Consult with a Naperville Driver’s License Reinstatement Lawyer

How a person goes about seeking reinstatement after his or her license has been suspended for a DUI depends on a number of specific factors, so if your own license is suspended or revoked and you have questions about having your license reinstated, please call the Law Office of Patricia Magana, LLC at 630-448-2001 to speak with an experienced DuPage County driver's license reinstatement attorney about your legal options. Initial consultations are offered free of charge, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us by phone or online message today.

Source:

https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_dc88.pdf