No one plans to have their driver’s license suspended, but mistakes happen, and if you break the law you have to pay the consequences. Having your license revoked can take a toll on your entire livelihood. You are no longer able to drive as you wish, and in most cases, those with a suspended license are only allowed to drive to and from work.

Once you lose your license, it is important to take the necessary steps to get it back as soon as possible. While you work on eliminating your dangerous habits, you should also do what you can to get your driver’s license back in your hands.

 

What Happens When You Lose Your Driver’s License 

One of the most common ways to lose your driver’s license is by getting charged with a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI.) When that happens, the arresting officer will usually take your current license and provide you with a temporary one. This license will have an expiration date that is the same as your hearing date. If you fail to respond to a hearing, you will automatically lose all driving privileges.

If you successfully plead your case at your hearing, you are likely to get your license back that day. However, if you fail to plead your DUI case, the judge will usually suspend your license for a prolonged period. The length of your license suspension depends on several factors such as your blood alcohol level at the time of your arrest, and any prior DUIs that you may have on your record.

Drivers who are convicted of multiple driving offenses could end up having their license suspended for years or lose it permanently. The reason is due to the Habitual Offender laws that are in effect in several states.

 

Fines, Penalties and Jail Time 

If you lose your license, there are several penalties you’ll have to face depending on whether this is your first offense. You may have an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installed in your car, face jail time, or be put on probation. The court could also require you to wear a SCRAM bracelet. The bracelet is a device that monitors the amount of alcohol in your sweat. However, these are usually only given to repeat DUI or DWI offenders.

 

Be Prepared to Have Your Offense on Your Record for a While 

Even after you get your driver’s license back, your offense will remain on your record. It will show up in background checks and could prevent you from getting a job and other privileges. This information typically remains on your background checks for at least five years, but it could show up even longer than that for repeat offenders.

This type of offense will also cause your auto insurance rates to go up. You may also be required to get a particular type of auto insurance such as a DUI insurance policy.

 

How to Get Your Suspended Driver’s License Back 

To get your suspended driver’s license back, you will need to show that you are making a substantial effort to turn your life around. You can do it by enrolling in a treatment program for drug or alcohol addiction, taking a safe driver course, or going to rehab.

Any efforts will be taken into consideration so be sure to obtain proof of any treatment or sessions you completed. However, these things do not guarantee that you will get your license back faster, or that you will even get your driving privileges back at all. That depends on the severity of your actions that caused you to lose your license in the first place. But it doesn’t hurt to try.

If the court requires you to take an education course or receive some form of treatment, you must complete these requests to ensure that you will get your license back. Failure to do so will result in a delay in receiving your license.

 

Important Things to Remember 

Make sure that you fill out all necessary forms and pay all fees to finalize the process of getting your driver’s license. Remember that it is much easier to get your license back after a first-time offense. Repeat offenders could end up losing their license for a much more extended period or having them suspended permanently.

So, keep that in mind the next time you get behind the wheel. Always drink responsibly and designate a driver when you are going out with friends to prevent this issue from occurring again.

 

To learn more about getting your driver’s license once it’s suspended, contact our team at protectiveagency.com at (877) 739-9367. Our licensed insurance agents will be happy to answer any questions you have.