The Most Common Ways to Get Your Driver’s License Suspended

Driving is a privilege, but for many people, it’s also a major factor of adult life. This is why losing your license can seriously affect your daily routine. Like many laws, the reasons why you might lose your license vary from state to state. While some—such as driving under the influence or neglecting your car insurance—may seem obvious, there are other ways to lose your license that you may not have thought of before. Some don’t even have anything to do with your driving history. Find out some of the most common ways to get your driver’s license suspended with this overview.

DUI

Perhaps the most well-known reason for losing your license is through a DUI conviction. However, if you’re charged with driving under the influence, you don’t need to be convicted to lose your license. The arresting officer will take your license away automatically after the arrest. Fortunately, this isn’t technically a suspension since you’ll receive a temporary license at this time. Nonetheless, if you don’t request and appear at a hearing, or if you lose your hearing, the court will suspend your license. Many states also have an implied consent law, which requires drivers to give blood, breath, or urine samples if they’re arrested for a DUI. Refusal to give these samples also leads to suspension of your driver’s license.

Reckless Driving

In addition to driving under the influence, officers can arrest you for general reckless driving. This can include speeding, weaving between lanes, passing in illegal zones, and other forms of aggressive or dangerous behavior on the road. Reckless driving charges are different from speeding tickets or less serious moving violations, and if you’re convicted, the court will suspend your license. Like with a DUI, individuals convicted of reckless driving often have to obtain SR22 insurance to reinstate their license.

Driving Without Insurance

Almost every state requires all drivers to obtain and hold car insurance. One of the most common ways to get your driver’s license suspended is to drive without insurance. If an officer catches you driving without coverage, the state will suspend—or in some cases, revoke—your license. This often comes up in the case of car accidents. If you get into a wreck while uninsured, there’s a good chance you’ll lose your license. You can also receive a license suspension for simply leaving the scene of an accident. The best thing to do is stay on top of your insurance and strive to be a safe, responsible driver.

Not Answering Court Summons

Many states use license suspension as a punishment for not appearing in court or having outstanding court fines. For example, if you’re charged with a traffic violation but don’t show up to your hearing, the court will automatically suspend your license—even if you never face conviction and the court later dismisses the charges. As for court fines, these can be for both criminal infractions as well as miscellaneous costs. This also applies to unpaid tollway fees or parking violations. If an individual fails to pay these fines, they face having their license suspended.

Losing License Points

Most state DMVs use a point system to handle license suspensions. Each driving violation costs a certain amount of points. More severe offenses, such as reckless driving, cost more points than minor offenses, such as texting and driving. The rules vary from state to state, but once a driver loses enough points in a certain amount of time, the DMV will suspend their license. Many places also have positive points; drivers who don’t have any violations or accidents will gain points on their license.

Not Paying Child Support

There are ways to lose your license even when you’re not behind the wheel. One of these non-driving offenses is to not pay child support. In every state, there are laws that allow for a driver’s license suspension if a parent fails to pay their required child support. While there are some exceptions—some states issue temporary licenses so that the individuals can continue to travel to work—failure to pay child support is one of the most common reasons individuals lose their driver’s license.

Underage Possession

Underage possession, intoxication, or other drug offenses can also result in a suspended license—regardless of whether or not you were behind the wheel at the time. If you’re not of legal age and you purchase or consume alcohol or tobacco, most states can—and usually will—suspend your license. Similarly, if you drive before you get a license or learner’s permit, it can be harder to obtain a license in the future.

Other Intoxication Offenses

There are other ways intoxication can cause you to lose your license. In many states, operating other vehicles, such as boats or planes, while intoxicated can result in you losing your driver’s license. This doesn’t just apply to alcohol. If you’re convicted of possessing or using illegal drugs—or any other drug-related offense—the state can take away your license. Depending on where you live, you might lose your license as punishment for a public intoxication charge or because a passenger in your vehicle has an open container.

Falsifying Information

When it comes to driving, honesty is key. If you falsify or misrepresent information on your license, it can qualify as grounds for suspension. The same goes for using a fake driver’s license or letting others use your license as a fake ID. Like with driving before you have a license, using a fake license before you obtain yours can make it harder to get a legitimate one in the future.

In many cases where your license is suspended—such as a DUI conviction, reckless driving, or driving without insurance—you have to obtain and file SR22 auto insurance with your state before you can reinstate your license. This can feel like a complicated and costly process, but Serenity Group is here to help. If you need SR22 insurance in Las Vegas, Denver, or any other city, we can help you find the right insurance policy, so you can get back on the road and move on with your life.