Illinois DUI laws are tough, imposing severe penalties that aim to discourage drunk driving and protect public safety. One of the harshest – and most common – forms of punishment is a driver’s license suspension or revocation. Statistics from the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office reveal that 90 percent of all motorists arrested for DUI will lose their driving privileges. The personal and professional implications can be extensive, so you will want to get your license back as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, the driver’s license reinstatement process can be extremely complex. You could struggle for months trying to decipher the complicated statutes and court proceedings, during which time you are unable to get around. Therefore, it is critical to retain an Aurora driver's license reinstatement lawyer for legal help. You might also benefit from reviewing a few facts about reinstating your driving privileges after an Illinois DUI.

1. There is a difference between a driver’s license revocation and suspension.

A starting off point for reinstatement is understanding this distinction and how it applies to your driving privileges. A suspension is a temporary loss of your license for a designated time, at which point you can pay the required fees and have your privileges reinstated. Revocation is an indefinite termination of your driving privileges, where you can only seek reinstatement when you become eligible – i.e., you served the minimum period of revocation.

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:

Every year, thousands of drivers are arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in the state of Illinois. While many offenders will simply plead guilty for a DUI charge, especially their first charge, a DUI conviction can come with serious legal ramifications and potential changes to your lifestyle. If you have been charged with driving under the influence, it is important to contact a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible.

The Ramifications of a Conviction

In the state of Illinois, DUI charges are taken very seriously. A first-time DUI conviction constitutes a Class A misdemeanor charge and can lead to fines as high as $2,500 and even potential jail time. In all reality though, the true impact of a DUI conviction can go far beyond a mark on your criminal record.

Loss of Driving Privileges: First and foremost a DUI conviction will impact your ability to operate a motor vehicle in Illinois. According to the Secretary of State’s Office, a first time DUI conviction will automatically lead to a one-year license revocation period. In other words, the driver’s driving privileges will be revoked for a minimum of one year. It should be noted that drivers under the age of 21 will face a two year revocation period for their first DUI conviction. Drivers are eligible to register for a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP), but must pay for the installation and tracking of a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID).

Here in the state of Illinois, there are a number of violations that could result in a driver’s license suspension. A driver can lose their driving privileges for three or more traffic violations within a 12-month period, accumulating 10 or more parking tickets and refusing payment, or for non-payment of court-ordered child support. The most noteworthy reason for a driver’s license suspension is a DUI offense.

According to the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office, more than 27,000 Illinoisans were charged with driving under the influence, throughout 2017 alone. Fortunately, a person facing either a license suspension or revocation may be eligible for reinstatement. If you have lost your driving privileges, and are hoping to have your license reinstated, you need to hire an attorney that you can believe in.

Steps Needed for Reinstatement

A license suspension can significantly impact a person’s livelihood, because of this, it is important to act quickly. Once your license has been suspended, you can request a hearing with the Illinois Secretary of State. These hearings can be formal or informal.

Here in the United States, commercial truckers are an integral part of our economy. Commercial trucking continues to be the No. 1 form of shipping. According to the American Trucking Association, there are an estimated 3.5 million truckers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) nationwide. With so many truckers on the road, truck accidents are common.

Due to the severity of many commercial trucking collisions, law enforcement is always on the lookout for commercial drivers in violation of state or federal laws. If you are cited for a CDL violation, it is critical to seek experienced legal guidance right away.