There are many reasons DMV may revoke, suspend, cancel or deny your driving privilege. The reason for the revocation, suspension, cancellation or denial determines the length of time you will have to be without a valid driving privilege. Every situation is different, so it is best to contact a lawyer who understands the rules and regulations at DMV to help determine when you may be eligible to reinstate your privilege and what you will need to do to comply with DMV’s reinstatement requirements.
Interlock Restricted License
In most instances, DMV takes away your driving privilege for a specific period of time and once your privilege is taken away, you cannot do anything to reinstate early. There is one exception to this general rule. If your driving privilege was revoked for an alcohol related driving offense, also known as an Express Consent revocation, you may be eligible to reinstate your privilege early with an interlock restricted license.
An interlock restricted license is a license that allows you to drive so long as you are driving a vehicle with an interlock device installed. DMV will not allow you to immediately reinstate with an interlock restricted license. You will be required to serve a short revocation. If you consented to a chemical test of your blood or breath, then you will required to serve a 30 day revocation before you qualify for early reinstatement. If you refused to consent to a chemical test, then you will be required to serve a 60 day revocation before you qualify for early reinstatement.
The length of time you must keep the interlock restricted license before DMV will issue you an unrestricted license depends on whether you are classified as a persistent drunk driver by DMV. The persistent drunk driver classification is determined by whether you refused a chemical test, your blood or breath alcohol level if you did consent to a test and/or whether you have prior alcohol or drug related driving offenses on your record.
It is important to note that if you hold an interlock restricted license and commit any new traffic violations, drive a vehicle not equipped with an interlock device or attempt to circumvent the interlock device, DMV will revoke the interlock restricted license and you will be subject to a lengthy revocation.