Can you drive after a driving under the influence (DUI) arrest and before your court date in California? Generally, you’ll get a temporary license after a DUI arrest that allows you to operate your vehicle for 30 days.
However, you may take steps to fight the suspension of your license with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer. An attorney may help you during hearings designed to remove your driving privileges. You can learn more about these hearings by calling or filling out our online contact form.
Do You Lose Your License During a DUI Arrest in California?
Driving under the influence in California can have numerous effects on your life, starting at the time of your arrest. The arresting officer will likely take your driver’s license and provide you with an Order of Suspension/Revocation.
The Order of Suspension/Revocation should come with a temporary driver’s license. This license should last for 30 days from the time of your arrest before the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) suspends your driving privileges.
Note that police officers do not always provide the Order of Suspension/Revocation. In some cases, the DMV mails orders out after DUI arrests. Under this system, you can drive for 30 days after a DUI and before your court date.
Do All Drivers Get a Temporary License After a DUI Arrest?
Generally, the DMV gives all drivers arrested for driving under the influence a temporary license. However, this license may not allow you to continue legally driving if you’re under another sanction from the court system or the DMV.
You should review the specifics of your situation with a lawyer if you have questions about qualifying to use a temporary driver’s license.
Can You Avoid a DMV License Suspension?
You may have to wait a significant amount of time before going to court for a DUI offense in California. Therefore, the DMV may suspend your license long before the resolution of your charges.
Fortunately, you may request an administrative hearing with the DMV after a DUI arrest. You have 10 days from the time of your arrest to request this hearing. During the hearing, your lawyer may argue against the suspension of your license.
The DMV may decide not to suspend your license in some cases. However, the DMV’s decision does not impact the decision of the court about your DUI charges. We can help you understand a California DMV hearing.
What Happens at Your DUI Court Date?
Your lawyer can represent you in and out of court after a DUI arrest. In many cases, lawyers fight to get a client’s charges dismissed or reduced, removing the need to go to court. However, in some cases, you may find yourself facing a judge and jury.
Your lawyer may use various defense strategies to build your claim to protect your best interests. A DUI conviction can result in jail time, fines, a license suspension, and other penalties, so it’s essential to get professional help immediately.
How Do Lawyers Handle DUI Charges?
A DUI lawyer may focus on showing that you were not impaired while operating your vehicle or at the time of your arrest. Your lawyer may argue that:
- The police incorrectly administer a blood alcohol content (BAC) test
- The lab handled your BAC samples incorrectly
- You got a false positive on your BAC test
- You were stopped without due cause
Taking DUI accusations seriously can help you protect yourself from fines, incarceration, and restrictions on your driving privileges.
Can You Drive After a DUI Conviction?
You may face a license suspension after a DUI conviction in California. However, the statewide ignition interlock device (IID) program may still allow you to operate your vehicle after a conviction.
The IID program now requires all DUI offenders to install personal breathalyzer devices in their vehicles after DUI convictions. Drivers must use the breathalyzer device each time they try to start their cars, allowing them to continue driving.
Drivers may have to use an IID for up to four years, depending on the kind of DUI charges they face. Even if you use an IID, you may still face fines and incarceration after a DUI conviction, so it’s essential to face these charges with legal assistance.
Speak to Us About Driving After a DUI Before Your Court Date
Can you drive after a DUI and before your court date in California? Generally, you can drive for at least 30 days after an arrest on a temporary license. You may even continue driving after a conviction with the use of an IID.
You can learn more about DUI charges by calling or completing our online contact form.
