The Procedure For A Suspended License in Illinois
When your driver’s license is suspended, you lose your driving privileges for a specified time period. This is different from a license revocation, which prohibits you from driving indefinitely. A suspension can last anywhere from a few months to several years, but the driver can pursue license reinstatement.
Undergoing driver’s license reinstatement in Illinois is a difficult process if you do not have qualified legal representation. To have the best chance at regaining your driving privileges, you need an attorney who knows how to work with the Secretary of State on license reinstatements in Springfield, Chicago, and throughout the state.
With over 25 years worth of experience representing license reinstatement cases, Johnson & Goldrich, P.C. is here to help you fight for your driving privileges, regardless of the circumstances that led to your suspension.
Reasons for Suspension in Illinois
The Secretary of State may choose to suspend your license for many different reasons. Reasons for license suspension include three moving traffic violations within one year, ten or more unpaid parking violations, tollway violations, safety responsibility violations, failure to appear in court, automated traffic violations, driving under the influence (DUI), and more.
Some common examples of situations that can lead to a suspended or revoked license for Illinois Drivers include:
- Passing a school bus that’s picking up or dropping off kids.
- Ignoring the signals at a railroad crossing and driving around them.
- Going too fast in areas around schools.
- If you’re under the age of 21, having or using alcohol.
Even if it’s not about driving and just something related to alcohol, like getting a “supervision” warning, your license can still be taken away if you’re a minor.
Losing Your License – Revocation in Illinois
Different from a temporary suspension, sometimes your license can be taken away for longer, and there’s no exact date for getting it back. This can happen if:
- You’re found guilty of DUI (driving under the influence), which means driving after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
- You run away from the scene after causing an accident.
- You’ve been driving on a suspended license
- You try to escape from the police.
- You commit serious, felony-worthy, crimes involving vehicles.
Additionally, your driver’s license may be suspended for causing a collision that resulted in serious injury or death. Upon suspension, you will hear directly from the Illinois Secretary of State.
When your license gets suspended, there is a clear end date to the suspension. However, prior to that date, if you wish to drive on a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP), you will be required to have a hearing with the Secretary of State. At that hearing, you will have the right to an attorney that can help you address your license suspension or revocation.
Statutory Summary Suspension
In Illinois, if you are pulled over for a DUI, you may receive a statutory summary suspension regardless of whether or not you receive a DUI conviction. If you refuse to submit to chemical testing or fail the test, your license will be automatically suspended. A statutory summary suspension of your driving privileges begins on the 46th day from the notice of suspension (which is often the same day you are arrested).
If you submit to and fail the chemical test, with a breath alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher, then you will receive a suspension of six months for your first offense, and one year for subsequent offenses. If you refuse to complete a chemical test, your license will be suspended for one year for your first offense, and three years for a second offense. In both cases, you will be eligible for a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP) during your suspension.
Reinstatement Fees
While the pricetag of reinstating your license might vary depending on the type of offense, number of offenses and part of the state the revocation or suspension happened, paying a reinstatement fee is common in most cases. Even outside of Cook County, reinstatement fees average around $70.
License Reinstatement Attorney in Springfield & Chicago
Hiring a driver’s license reinstatement lawyer ensures you do not miss any steps in the reinstatement process. When you reach out to Johnson & Goldrich, P.C., we will work to help you earn back your driver’s license as quickly as possible.
If your license has been suspended or revoked, contact one of our suspended license lawyers in Chicago today. We will be happy to help you regain your driving privileges.