Effect of a DUI on Your Driver’s License

Fight for Your License with Our Atlanta DUI Defense Lawyer

Driving is a privilege, not a right, and when a DUI conviction is reached in the State of Georgia, that privilege can be affected for a long time. If accused of a DUI defense, your driver’s license faces not only criminal penalties, but administrative ones from Department of Driving Services, as well. To prevent lasting effects on your standing as a Georgia driver, it is critical to secure legal counsel that can navigate both sets of penalties and restore your privileges at the earliest opportunity.

The legal team at Willis Law Firm understands that for so many individuals and families, driving isn’t just a convenience, but a necessity. That is why they have fought alongside countless DUI clients in pursuit of preserving their driver’s license and ensured that they were back on the road as swiftly and safely as possible.

Make sure your driving privileges are not irreparably damaged. Call the team of proven Atlanta DUI defense attorneys at Willis Law Firm today.

Driver’s License Suspensions and Reinstatement

When you are arrested for DUI, law enforcement will immediately seize your driver’s license and provide you with a temporary one. You will then have 30 calendar days to request an Administrative License Suspension hearing to petition for your privileges to be restored. If you do not request this hearing, your license will be suspended for 120 days. For drivers under 21, this administrative suspension can last for six months, or, in cases in which a blood alcohol concentration over .08 was recorded, one full year.

License suspensions, as part the criminal DUI charges, will also apply if you are found guilty in court. These can vary depending on the defendant’s age and prior DUI record.

Maximum license suspensions on a first/second/third offense include:

• Drivers 15 and younger: until 17 years old/until 18 years old/until 18 years old
• Drivers 16 to 20: one year/18 months/five years
• Drivers 21 and older: one year/three years/five years

Some variations may apply. Under most circumstances, reinstating your license involves paying the appropriate fines and fees and completing any court-ordered treatment and education programs. If the need for limited driving privileges can be asserted in court, you can also apply for a limited driving permit for commuting to work or school. This may require the installation of an ignition interlock device, which is an out-of-pocket cost for the driver.