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What happens to your driver’s license after a DUI arrest?

On Behalf of | Apr 29, 2020 | Drunk Driving

If you are over the age of 21, it is illegal to drive a car with a blood alcohol content level at or above 0.08%, according to the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles. If a law enforcement officer arrests you for DUI for driving with a BAC level that meets or exceeds this legal limit, you could face many consequences for this infraction.

After your DUI arrest, the DMV can take action against you and suspend or revoke your right to drive. Once the arresting law enforcement officer submits a notice of suspension or revocation, the DMV will conduct a review of this report and determine whether to uphold the licensure consequences. In some cases, the DMV will determine that there is no basis for suspending or revoking your license, and you will receive notice in writing of this decision.

Requesting a hearing

The DMV will conduct an administrative review. If, after this, it upholds your license revocation or suspension, you can ask for a hearing to contest the decision. The purpose of this hearing is to prove that losing your right to drive during a revocation or suspension period is an unjustified action. You must do this within 10 days after you receive official notice of the revocation or suspension order.

If you need your driver’s license to get to and from work, you cannot make this request at the hearing. Instead, you must submit an official application for a restricted license separately at a DMV office.

Getting your license back

When arresting you for DUI, the law enforcement officer overseeing the process will confiscate your driver’s license. When the suspension or revocation period of your driver’s license expires, the DMV will return your license to you.

To complete this process, the DMV requires that you pay a $125 reissue fee. If you are under the age of 21, this reissue fee is $100.