DUI: How To Reinstate Your License

After a DUI, most people simply want to return to the way their life was before the conviction. A big part of this is reinstating their license and getting back behind the wheel. Being unable to drive can put a lot of your life on hold. You may have trouble getting to work or school, running errands, or even just heading over to a friend’s house. That’s why you should take the necessary steps to fulfill your requirements and reapply for your driver’s license as quickly as possible. The more you know about this process, the easier it is to follow your state’s rules and get your license back. Learn more about DUIs and how to reinstate your license with this overview.

Complete Your License Suspension Period

When you receive a DUI conviction, the court will suspend your license for a set amount of time. The length of this suspension period will depend on the state in which you live and other specifics surrounding your case. For example, if this is your first offense, your suspension period will be shorter than it would be on a second or third offense.

The first step of how to reinstate your license is to wait out this suspension period patiently. Don’t try to drive without your license. Getting caught will only increase the consequences and make the situation worse.

Meet All Court Requirements

While you wait for your suspension period to end, you’ll begin addressing and accomplishing your court-mandated requirements. Once again, the specific consequences you face will vary depending on where you live, what your driving record looks like, and other details. Generally speaking, though, you can expect to face fines, alcohol education programs, and an SR22 insurance requirement. Make sure you learn about the rules surrounding SR22 insurance in your state. For example, the duration of SR22 insurance in California will differ from that of a policy in another state. The more you know about your state’s rules, the easier it will be to find and stick to an affordable policy.

Reapply for Your License

Once your suspension period is over and you’ve met your requirements, you can apply to reinstate your license. In many states, you’ll have to retake the driver’s license test and submit proof of your SR22 insurance to reobtain your license. If all goes well, the DMV will reinstate your license. However, you should still be careful once you’re back behind the wheel. Continue paying for your SR22 insurance policy for the rest of its required duration. Be sure to drive safely and responsibly, as a repeat offense can bring much worse consequences and lead to you losing your license again.