What Happens To My Driver’s License After A DUI?
If you’ve been pulled over and an officer suspects you of driving under the influence, you may be asked to submit to a chemical test. In the event you comply and your blood alcohol content level is .08 percent or higher, you’re likely to be charged with DUI and a statutory summary suspension of your driver’s license will go into effect.
The suspension of your driving privileges represents the civil side of a DUI case, a realm in which the Illinois Secretary of State administers penalties. These consequences are in addition to criminal punishments under DUI laws — which can include jail time and hefty fines.
If you have been charged with driving under influence, it is important to contact a lawyer right away in order to proactively defend against the civil and criminal penalties that you may be subject to with a conviction.
Learning About Statutory Summary Suspensions
If you have been cited in a DUI-related offense, your license may be either suspended or revoked. Which of these options depends on your circumstances, and whether you have previous DUI convictions. Generally, suspension is temporary (one year or less) and revocation is long-term or permanent.
If you submit to chemical testing you register a BAC of .08 percent or higher, you can expect the following consequences relating to your driving privileges:
- First offense. With a first-time DUI offense, you may expect to have your licensed automatically suspended for up to six months. Your vehicle registration will also be suspended. After 31 days you will be eligible, at the court’s discretion, for a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP). You will be required to cover the cost of having a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device installed.
- Second offense. For a second offense, you will receive a one-year suspension. In the event that the second offense occurs within 20 years of your last conviction, you will receive a five-year revocation of your license. Your vehicle registration will also be suspended.
- Third offense. You will receive a driver’s license revocation for a minimum of 10 years, and your vehicle registration will also be suspended.
- Fourth (or more) offense. Upon conviction of your fourth DUI, you will lose your driving privileges for life. Your vehicle registration will be similarly suspended.
Even though the law convicts you of civil DUI upon immediate failure of chemical testing, you do have the right and the opportunity to request a judicial hearing. This request must be made within 90 days of the date of suspension or revocation. In the event that you win your appeal, your suspension or revocation is removed, you are free to drive.
