DUI consequences. You Got A DUI. Now What?

So you've been arrested for DWI. Your license has been taken away. What happens now?

Arresting officer will immediately forward a copy of the completed notice of suspension or revocation form and any driver license taken into possession, with a sworn report to the Department of Motor Vehicles. A review wil be conducted that includes an exam of the report, and any test results. If the decison to suspend your license due to drunk driving is upheld during the administrative review, you may request a hearing to contest this decision.

You have the right to request a hearing within 10 days of being arrested for DUI (DWI). If you can prove at the hearing that your DUI (DWI) arrest was a mistake, the action will be set aside. If your BAC at arrest was close to .08, it makes sense to try to contest. There is a number of technicalities involved in DUI testing procedure that can be contested. Don't just sit and wait -- take action and fight for your rights!

So when will you get your license back if you did not contest the validity of a DUI charge?

Your drivers license will be returned to you at the end of the suspension or revocation, provided you pay a $125 reissue fee and you file proof of financial responsibility (SR-22). The reissue fee remains at $100 if you were under age 21 and were suspended under the Zero Tolerance Law. In general, drunk driving laws are much more severe for minors.

It is possible that the officer issued you an Order of Suspension and Temporary License following your drunk driving arrest. What are you supposed to do with this document?

You may drive for 30 days from the date your drunk driving incident took place, provided you have been issued a California driver license, or your driving privilege is not suspended or revoked for some other reason. Like another DUI!

For how long will your driving privilege be suspended for drunk driving?

On first offense your license will be suspended for 4 months. A second DUI offense within 7 years will result losing your lisense for a year. If you are under 21 year of age, took a preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) test or other chemical test and results showed 0.01% BAC or more, your driving privilege will be suspended for 1 year.

The good news is that even during the period of suspension, you can apply for a restricted license to drive to work or to school. You may apply for such license at any DMV office