You can get a license to go to and from work during a license suspension for a DUI or refusal. That license may additionally allow you to travel to and from DUI school and other court-ordered programs. However, you have to apply for a restricted license. You will not automatically receive it during your license suspension period.
Fortunately, Los Angeles DUI lawyers want to help you keep your job despite the limitations of a DUI charge. We can help you complete an application for a limited driving permit while you attend alcohol treatment programs, go to work, and get your life back on track.
When to Request a Hardship License
Los Angeles’ criminal courts can award residents hardship licenses when a DUI or similar criminal charge may make it more difficult for someone to:
- Drive kids to school
- Drive to work
- Participate in alcohol or drug treatment programs
- Make it to meetings with therapists, doctors, and other parties
A hardship license does not allow someone to operate freely on the road. Instead, a limited permit allows a restricted driver to drive a car for a short period and under strict conditions. Someone who abuses a temporary license may find themselves facing harder charges than they did when initially convicted of drunk driving.
Who Is Eligible for Restricted Driving Privileges?
Not everyone is eligible for restricted driving. You are NOT eligible if:
- Your license was already suspended or revoked for some other reason.
- You were also convicted of refusing to take a chemical test (blood or breath test) when arrested.
- Your sentence includes a “hard suspension.” Hard suspensions apply to all second or third-offense DUIs within ten years. You must wait to apply for restricted driving privileges until the hard suspension period (one or more years) is up. An alternative is to agree to install an interlock device, which can shorten the hard suspension period.
- If you hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), you cannot get restricted driving privileges for commercial purposes.
Note that if you lost your DMV hearing, you must wait 30 days before applying for a restricted driving license.
How to Apply for a Hardship License
Getting your restricted license will take time, but it’s not a difficult process:
- If you lost your DMV hearing, make sure it has been 30 days before you apply.
- Enroll in the DUI school or treatment program you were ordered to take. Ask them for proof of enrollment. You will need this document.
- Make sure your car insurance is up to date, print proof of insurance, and get an SR-22 form. This will increase your insurance rates.
- Bring the proof of enrollment and the SR-22 to your local DMV office and apply. You will have to pay a $125 fee.
In some cases, you may have to install an interlock device to get restricted driving privileges. If this is the case, your sentence will mention it. You must bring proof that you installed the device, along with the other documentation, when you apply.
Last, your restricted license will be revoked if you do not attend or complete your mandatory DUI program.
What to Do if You’re Required to Have an Ignition Interlock Device
Part of the consequences imposed on you by Los Angeles’ criminal courts may include the mandatory use of an ignition interlock device. Ignition interlock devices bar you from operating a motor vehicle if your blood alcohol content is above a certain level.
You can use an ignition interlock device at the same time as a hardship license. More specifically, possessing an interlock device does not bar you from applying for a temporary license. The use of an interlock device can instead shorten your suspension period.
If you’re struggling to receive a hardship license because of some bias against an interlock device, a criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles can take up your case.
Protecting Yourself from License Suspensions and Other DUI Charges
You do not have to resign yourself to a DUI charge if a law enforcement representative pulls you over on the road. Our criminal defense attorneys in Los Angeles want to help you challenge the criminal accusations brought against you. Our role in your case can help you maintain your license and avoid the other criminal consequences of a DUI conviction.
You can meet with our Los Angeles DUI attorneys free of charge today to discuss the defenses that may best protect your future.
Our DUI Lawyers in Los Angeles Can Work for You
Navigating the rules for driving privileges is difficult. One of the most important things you can do in a DUI case is fight to keep your license or get the suspension to an absolute minimum. Hiring an experienced, dedicated DUI lawyer is the best way to relieve the stress of your case.
Let our team connect you with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer who’s right for your case. Simply fill out our online contact form and get a free consultation today.
