How is a DUI Going to Affect My License?

After being pulled over for a DUI, you will have many questions. If this is your first DUI, you are confused about the steps you should take or what is going to happen to you. While the criminal history is going to be a big deal, such as affecting future charges and even your employment opportunities in the future, many people worry about DUI effects on my license after they are pulled over. Let’s take a look at how a DUI can affect your license and what you can do to limit the effects and the importance of hiring a DUI attorney to help limit the charges and consequences that you will have to face.

How will this DUI affect my license?

There are a lot of state legislatures that are under pressure in order to come up with some strict DUI laws. Mothers Against Drunk Driving and other organizations are working to ensure that these states improve their laws against DUIs, and many encourage ignition interlock devices and jail time for those who are convicted.

Each state is going to have different laws in effect for what happens to your license when you are charged with a DUI. Some of the repercussions that you may have to deal with after being arrested and convicted of a DUI include:

• Revocation or suspension of the license: Most states will have a mandatory suspension of your license after a DUI conviction. Sometimes this is just a few months, and other times it can be more than a year. For some states, refusal to take a chemical test can result in this suspension, no matter how the trial ends up.
• Restrictions on the license: If you are found guilty, there are some states that will allow you to work with a restricted license. You will not be able to drive all that often, but you could use it for work, for school, or to get to mandated counseling or medical care.
• Ignition interlock device: While these are not mandatory in most states, they are starting to be seen more often. If you have to get these, you must rent, install, and maintain one, which could add hundreds or more to the fines that you have to pay.
• Higher insurance costs: After dealing with a DUI conviction, you can assume that the insurance you pay is going to be higher. Some cases will result in the carrier dropping you from their coverage.

If this is your first conviction of a DUI, you may be able to get some of the consequences reduced. With the help of a good DUI attorney, you will be more likely to reduce your penalties and fines and get your life back on track faster.

What about a restricted license after a DUI

In some states, it is possible to gain a restricted license even after being convicted of a DUI. Each state has different guidelines for how you should file, when you should file, and the costs to do this.

There are different reasons why one of these restricted licenses could be issued, but no one is guaranteed to get this license. If you are a habitual offender or have a history of bad driving, then you may have no chance of getting this license. Some of the reasons why you may be able to get a restricted license after a DUI include:

• Caretaker: If you are a sole caretaker for children or an elderly relative who needs transportation to get places, you can get a license for taking them to school, to the store, and doctor visits.
• Work: If you work in an area where there isn’t an option to take public transportation, then you may be able to get a restricted license to get to work.
• Medical Care: This would have to be more than just a yearly checkup. For example, if you needed to make chemotherapy treatments,  you could get this license.
• Court mandated programs: If you need to go to a program for counseling or rehab after your conviction, you may be able to get a restricted license to make those programs.

Getting a restricted license is not guaranteed for everyone. If you feel that you need to get one of these licenses because of the reasons above, then it is important to file a claim for one right away. Consider talking to a DUI attorney to help you file one of these claims and ensure that you can keep getting to the places that you need after a DUI conviction.  Call our experienced attorneys at the Athens DUI Lawyers for a Free Consultation.