When your license is revoked, it means that the Department of Motor Vehicles has permanently taken away your driving privileges. However, you can get a new license in some cases by satisfying the DMV’s requirements.
Unlike a suspended license, which becomes legal again after your time expires, a revoked license will never be legal to drive on. You have to start all over again. This can make it very difficult to go to your job or do daily tasks, but the DMV won’t revoke your license unless they have a good reason.
Repeated DUI is one of these reasons. It’s important to work with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer if you’ve been charged with this crime because a revoked license is hard to get back. Yet, it can be done. Here is what you need to know.
Complete the Revocation Period
When your license is revoked, the court may only revoke it for a certain length of time. For DUI-related offenses, it’s between 3-5 years for repeat offenses, depending on how many times you’ve been caught DUI and if you’ve injured anyone.
You cannot get your license back until this time is finished. 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 will need to stay on the right side of the law, especially driving laws, until the time is done.
Once the time is done, then you can go back to the California DMV and start the process of getting a driver’s license again. 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, it’s quite likely that you owe the court and/or the DMV fines and fees. All of these must be paid off completely before you can get a revoked license back.
Driving offenses 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 be a big roadblock 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. This can include things like:
- DUI education classes
- Defensive driving classes
- Substance abuse treatment programs
- Anger management programs
The programs you’ll need to finish will depend on your sentence, but they must be finished. Given the general length of time for license revocation in California, you’ll likely be done with 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.
Possibly Provide Proof of Insurance
The court may also require you to provide proof of financial responsibility, also called an SR-22 form. This is proof to the court that you are covered by insurance. 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. As long as 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 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.
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, there shouldn’t be a problem getting your license back.
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 on your vehicle for a time after you get your license back. This is a breathalyzer attached to your ignition that you must pass before your car will turn on.
This is not a permanent requirement, but you may be required to pay fees to the IID company, and you’ll be limited to driving vehicles that have an IID until enough time has passed.
Work With a Lawyer to Get Your Revoked License Back
Getting your license back is a bit of a misnomer. You can get a suspended license back but 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.