Having your license suspended is one of the hardest DUI penalties. In California, virtually everyone relies on their car to get to and from work and most other obligations. You will want to reinstate your license as early as possible if your license is suspended.
Remember that your license is not automatically reinstated when the suspension period is up. For example, if you were sentenced to a six-month suspension period and six months have passed, it is not legal to drive until you have completed the reinstatement process. You must follow all the steps, and the DMV must issue you a new license before it is legal for you to drive.
Here are the complete steps to reinstate your license in California. These steps are specific to a license suspended for DUI. If your license was suspended for another reason, the process might differ, which is why you should speak to an experienced Los Angeles DUI lawyer about your case as soon as possible.
How to Reinstate Your License after a California DUI
There are several things you must do to reinstate your license after a California DUI. These include:
- Complete the full period of your license suspension. One full year must pass if you were sentenced to a one-year suspension. Until the time has elapsed, there is no way to reinstate your license.
- Serve your full jail or prison sentence. You cannot reinstate your license until the full term is served. If your jail time was converted to a work furlough, work release, or any other alternative sentencing program, you must have documentation that you completed it.
- Complete DUI school. DUI traffic school is a classroom course you must take following any DUI conviction and depending on the conviction, it can last three months, nine months, 18 months, or 30 months. (There is an alternate 12-hour course for wet reckless) You cannot reinstate your license until you have completed it, and you will need a document from the school known as a Notice of Completion.
- Complete any other sentencing conditions. Some DUI sentences will carry mandatory drug or alcohol treatment, including rehab. Others will require that you attend a deterrence program, install an interlock device on your car or meet other conditions.
- Get the right car insurance. You must get your car insured before you apply to reinstate your driver’s license, but you need a special type of insurance and a form SR-22 that proves you have it. You get the form SR-22 from your car insurance company, and while there are alternatives to the SR-22, they don’t apply to most people and you must typically put down a $35,000 cash deposit or equivalent surety.
- Apply for reinstatement. After completing all the above steps, go to your local DMV office and apply for reinstatement. You should bring all the paperwork listed above.
Contact a drunk driving accident lawyer today for a free consultation. An experienced lawyer will ensure that your rights are protected and that you have strong representation in court. Do not talk to the prosecutor or anyone else before you talk to a DUI defense lawyer in California.
Applying for Reinstatement
When applying for reinstatement, you will have to pay a reinstatement fee. This is on top of all the other fines and fees you have paid. The amount of the fee varies based on the following:
- If you apply for reinstatement after an Admin Per Se (APS) suspension, the fee is $125 (or $100 if you’re under 21). This would apply to you if you had your license suspended by the DMV but later won your DUI case.
- If you were convicted of a DUI first offense, the fee is $55.
- If you were convicted of DUI (second offense or beyond), the fee is still $55, but additional fees may apply.
As you can see, getting your license back is difficult, even if you complete your sentence faithfully. If you need to drive sooner, you may qualify for restricted driving privileges during your suspension periods. An experienced DUI defense lawyer can explain the qualifications for a restricted driver’s license so you can apply for one when necessary.
Obtaining a Restricted License
You can obtain a restricted driver’s license in California for the following:
- To drive to and from work
- To drive for work-related purposes while on the job
- To drive to and from the alcohol school you have been ordered to attend by the court
It can be tempting to drive for reasons other than those that are listed, but you risk being caught and having your suspension extended. In order to avoid the temptation to drive outside of the reasons listed, you should utilize public transportation, ask for rides from family members and friends, or use a rideshare service. Doing so keeps you safe from having your license suspended further.
You Can Fight to Keep Your License
If you have been arrested for DUI, you should do everything you can to fight the charge. The best way to do that is to have a good DUI lawyer. We can match you with a top Los Angeles DUI attorney and get a free consultation.
Fill out the form to the right or call our office and get your free consultation today.
