Navigating Driver’s License Suspension and Reinstatement

 Posted on September 13, 2017 in Uncategorized

A revoked or suspended driver’s license can create a major inconvenience or hardship. It makes getting to work or school, caring for family members, and performing other daily tasks almost impossible to complete. Fortunately, the state of Illinois has a process in place that allows drivers an opportunity to pursue and gain driver’s license reinstatement.

Reasons Your License Can Be Suspended

In Illinois, when your driver’s license is suspended, you will receive a letter from the Secretary of State’s Office instructing you to surrender your license. There are a number of reasons why a license suspension may occur, including:

• Receiving three or more moving violations in a 12 month period.
• Failing to appear in court for a moving violation, or otherwise resolving the issue prior to your court date.
• Receiving 10 or more parking violations.
• Being photographed by automatic cameras running a red light five or more times without paying the fines associated with the violations.
• Failing to pay child support, which can trigger a suspension nder the “Deadbeats Don’t Drive” Act.
• Failing to pay fines associated with five or more tollway violations.
• Being found at fault for an accident while driving without proper insurance.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or other illegal substances, or while impaired by medications, either prescription or over-the-counter.

Of course, you can always make things much worse for yourself if you decide to drive while your license is suspended and you are caught doing so by law enforcement.

The Reinstatement Process

To regain driving privileges, you may be able to obtain a restricted driving permit or reinstatement of your driver’s license. The process for doing so will depend on the type of violation that resulted in the restriction of your driving privileges. To regain some restricted driving privileges, you will usually need to do the following:

• Demonstrate proof of excessive hardship, whether for employment, medical, or other criteria.
• Attend a formal or informal hearing with an officer of the Secretary of State’s office.
• If applicable, complete an alcohol or drug treatment program.
• If restricted privileges are granted, you must show financial responsibility, pay applicable fees, and submit verification of hardship.
• If restricted privileges are denied, you may request a formal hearing to review your case.

Full reinstatement of driving privileges usually requires waiting until a predetermined eligibility date. At that time, you will need to demonstrate financial responsibility and pay all applicable fees.

A Will County Driver’s License Reinstatement Attorney Can Answer Your Questions

Living with a suspended driver’s license makes life difficult, so pursuing reinstatement of your license makes sense. However, understanding how to go about seeking license reinstatement can be confusing. Contact an experienced and knowledgeable Joliet driver’s license reinstatement lawyer to find the answers to your questions. The Law Offices of Jack L. Zaremba, P.C. will review the facts surrounding your suspension and help create a path that least to license reinstatement at the earliest date possible.