In California, your driver’s license can be suspended for a variety of reasons. Most of our clients have their California issued driver’s license suspended for drunk driving, DUI, DWI, marijuana DUI, or reckless driving. Regardless of what the reason is for the suspension of your license, you should contact a Los Angeles suspended drivers license attorney to assist you with getting your license back and your life back on track. Schedule your free consultation at (213) 370-0404.
If you’ve been charged with drunk driving, a DUI, DWI, or marijuana DUI, you should be aware that there are two forms of license suspension: a DMV license suspension and a court-ordered license suspension. The first suspension that you have to deal with is the DMV suspension, the DMV suspension is automatic, going into effect within ten (10) days of your arrest for drunk driving or driving while under the influence of drugs.
To prevent your driver’s license from being automatically suspended, you must request an administrative DMV hearing and win at the hearing. If you do not request the administrative hearing within ten days of being arrested, your license is automatically suspended after 30 days of your arrest, and you cannot drive pending the outcome of your case. If convicted, the court may order its own suspension; if acquitted, your driving privileges will be reinstated.
If you do, and you should schedule your DMV administrative hearing, your attorney may argue that the arresting officer did not have probable cause (PC) to stop you and that the evidence collected against you should be thrown out. Also, if there is any evidence that your blood alcohol level was below 0.08%, your attorney will use this fact to argue that the evidence against you is weak and that you should be able to keep your driving privileges. That said, losing your driver’s license is a big deal, especially if you need to drive to and from work, so hire an experienced suspended drivers license attorney to fight for you and get your driving privileges reinstated. The H Law Group has a team of dedicated criminal defense lawyers who will help you get your driver’s license back.
If the DMV suspends your driver’s license, you will not be able to drive anywhere. The DMV may grant you a restricted drivers license that only allows you to drive to work and home from work so that your life is not completely on hold.
If this is your first time DUI conviction, your driver’s license will be suspended for six (6) months. However, if you refused to take the chemical test at the police station, your license may be suspended for one (1) year.
For a second time DUI charge, your driver’s license can be suspended for up to two years. The court may grant you a restricted driver’s license, but only if you install an ignition interlock device (IID) on your primary automobile.
For a third time DUI charge, your drivers license can be suspended for up to three years. The court may not grant you a restricted license.
For a fourth drunk driving offense, the court may not only suspend your driver’s license but may revoke it. Revocation is different from cancellation in that your license is effectively canceled, meaning you no longer have a driver’s license. When this occurs, to get a license, you must reapply for a license from the beginning, take a written test and take a driving test.
In California, if you’re convicted of any type of DUI, the court will suspend your driver’s license as a punishment for driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. This is what’s known as a court-ordered driver’s license suspension. The court reports your conviction of a DUI to the DMV, and the DMV suspends your driver’s license. This typically occurs months after you’ve been arrest for a DUI. The DMV suspension occurs much sooner, so make sure that you hire a DUI attorney to handle the DMV suspension before it suspends your license. The attorneys at The H Law Group are experienced in handling DUIs, and their great team of DUI lawyers will help you keep your license and get your life back on track.
Driving on a Suspended License vs. Driving without a license.
If your driver’s license has been suspended in the State of California, you have two options to get your drivers license back.
The first method is to get an IID License. IID refers to an ignition interlock device, which is a breathalyzer that takes a sample of your breath before the device allows you to start your case. Also, the device periodically asks for a breath sample to ensure that you’re not driving with alcohol in your system. To get an IID license, an individual must install an IID, complete a DUI education program, file form SR22 with the DMV, and pay all court required fees.
The second option that you have is to obtain a restricted driver’s license. A restricted license allows you to drive to work, school, and your DUI education program. To obtain a restricted license, you must file form SR22 with the DMV. After that, you can apply for your restricted license.
If you’ve lost your license or your license has been suspended, you should immediately call the suspended license attorney at The H Law Group. Their dedicated team of suspended drivers license attorneys will fight to get you your license back. The H Law Group offers free consultations, so if your license is suspended, give us a call, and we will help you get it back.
Common reasons include DUI/DWI convictions, accumulating too many traffic violation points, failing to pay traffic tickets or child support, driving without insurance, or refusing a chemical test during a DUI stop.
Yes, you can request a hearing to contest the suspension. The process and requirements vary by state, but an attorney can help you navigate the legal steps, present evidence, and argue your case for retaining or reinstating your driving privileges.
An attorney can review your case, challenge the reasons for the suspension, represent you at hearings, help negotiate for reduced penalties, and assist in applying for a restricted license.
Penalties may include fines, extended suspension periods, additional points on your driving record, and possible jail time. The severity depends on the underlying reason for the suspension and whether it is a repeat offense.
You may sometimes be eligible for early reinstatement by meeting specific conditions, such as paying fines, attending traffic school, or installing an ignition interlock device. State laws vary, so that an attorney can advise you on your options.
A license suspension can result in higher car insurance premiums or even policy cancellation. You may be required to file an SR-22 or FR-44 form, which proves you carry the minimum liability insurance.
Yes, a license suspension is typically recorded on your driving record and may affect your insurance rates and employment opportunities, especially in jobs that require driving.
