You must wait out the term of revocation, pay any fines ordered by the court, complete all required education or treatment programs, and apply for reinstatement to get your license again after a revocation in California.
Note that you cannot get your license back after any permanent license revocation.
A Los Angeles DUI lawyer can provide more information about the steps you need to take to regain your driving privileges.
How You Get a Revoked License Back in California
When the state revokes your license, it means that the Department of Motor Vehicles has permanently taken away your driving privileges. However, you can sometimes get a new license by satisfying the DMV’s requirements.
So, how do you get a revoked license back in California? In order to regain your driving privileges, you may need to:
Complete the Revocation Period
When California revokes your license, the court may only cancel it for a certain period of time. For DUI-related offenses, it’s between three to five years for repeat offenses, depending on how many times the police arrest you for a DUI and if you’ve injured anyone.
You cannot get your license back until the end of this time. There is no way to speed it up. The DMV believes you are too dangerous to be allowed on the road and removed your driving privileges. You must stay on the right side of the law, especially driving laws.
Eventually, you can go back to the California DMV and start the process of getting a brand-new license. Yes, this means you may have to take a written test and a driving test again. The court and the DMV may also have other conditions you must meet, which we’ll detail below.
Pay Fines and Fees
If you committed a crime that got your license revoked, you will likely owe the court and the DMV fines and fees. You may face fines after a conviction for:
- Reckless driving
- Aggressive driving or road rage
- A DUI resulting in a bodily injury
- Felony assault
- License fraud
You must pay off all your fees entirely before getting a revoked license back.
Driving offenses like incidents of road rage aren’t the only reason for a revoked license. For instance, if you do not pay child support or alimony as ordered by a court, the court may tell the DMV to suspend or revoke your license. You would not get your license back until you paid off your debt.
If you owe money because of your criminal conviction, spend the time during your revoked license period paying it off. Fines and fees can represent common reasons for roadblocks to getting your license back.
Complete Required Programs
The court may have required you to complete classes or programs for your sentence to be complete. You may need to complete:
- DUI education classes
- Defensive driving classes
- Substance abuse or alcohol addiction treatment programs
- Anger management programs
The programs you’ll need to finish will depend on your sentence. Given the length of time for license revocation in California, you’ll likely complete these programs by the time you’re eligible for renewal.
If you haven’t, though, you must do them before you get your revoked license back. A criminal defense attorney can provide more information about this requirement.
Provide Proof of Insurance
The court may also require you to provide proof of financial responsibility, also called an SR-22 form. This form is proof to the court that you have insurance coverage. You can get this form by contacting your insurance company.
SR-22 insurance requirements can significantly raise the amount of your premiums for a time. Most drivers do not need to carry an SR-22 for life but only for a few years. If you stay on the right side of the law, the court may drop the requirement.
Not all license revocations will require an SR-22. If your reason for revocation was not related to your driving, it’s unlikely you’ll need to get one. You can confirm your requirements with the court or with your lawyer.
Apply for Reinstatement
Once you have completed all of the steps above, it’s time to go to the DMV to get your license back. You’ll need to start the process of getting your license from scratch.
That means that you will need to pass a written test and a driving test before you can get a new license. You’ll also need to pay the fee to the DMV for getting a license.
You may have to fill out a reissue fee form and pay said fees.
Since you had your license revoked, the DMV will give you extra scrutiny to make sure you’ve completed all of your court-ordered requirements and finished your revocation period. However, if you’ve done everything above, getting your license back shouldn’t be a problem.
Is a License Revocation the Same as a License Suspension?
A license revocation is different from a suspension handed down by the DMV through a driver safety administrative hearings process or as a less severe penalty for a traffic violation.
The difference between a license suspension and revocation typically involves how long these driving restrictions last.
Unlike a suspended license, which becomes legal again after your time expires, a revoked license will never be legal to drive on.
Is There a Certain Right Way to Get Back Your License?
You need to follow all of the above steps to retain your driving privileges after a revocation. An attorney can explain how to get a revoked license back in California.
Your lawyer may also take steps to help you avoid the loss of your license during a criminal hearing. Attorneys know you may face a revocation for a variety of reasons and can take charge, dealing with the hearing officer and other members of the legal system.
Reach out to a legal professional now and find out how to get back a revoked license in California.
License Revocation and Ignition Interlock Devices
For DUI offenses with a license revocation, you may still have a final requirement. You may be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on your vehicle for a time after you get your license back. An IID is a breathalyzer attached to your ignition that you must pass before your car will turn on.
You may be required to pay fees to the IID company, and you’ll be limited to driving vehicles with an IID until enough time has passed.
Work With a Lawyer to Get Your Revoked License Back
So, how do you get a revoked license back in California? A revoked license requires you to start over from scratch. It is possible, but it may take years to get through everything the DMV requires to get a new license.
If you have further questions or if you need DUI representation to avoid getting your license revoked in the first place, speak with a Los Angeles DUI Attorney.
We can help you find a lawyer who can guide you through the steps of administrative hearing requirements and answer any questions you have.
