Both your finances and your way of life will take a toll after your driver’s license becomes suspended. Unfortunately, driver’s licenses may be suspended for a wide variety of reasons, including scenarios like drinking and driving, driving without the proper car insurance, or even reasons not directly tied to operating a vehicle such as not paying child support. The State uses driver’s license suspension as a tactic to prevent you from committing the same mistake more than once. If you find yourself needing your Illinois driver’s license reinstatement, consider taking the following steps.
1.Read and understand your notice.
Ensure that your address is current with the Department of Motor Vehicles in addition to the Department of Public Safety, as this will make sure that you receive necessary mail regarding suspensions. If you receive suspension paperwork, don’t throw it away so that you can reference it in the future. It will also outline specifics on your suspension including how long it will last.
2. Take a driving class.
Taking a defensive driving course can help you brush up on helpful tips and learn the rules of the road once again. These classes are low-cost and can even help lower the cost of your insurance rates.
3. File for SR-22 insurance.
Filing for SR-22 insurance can be intimidating because of potential costs that are added to your policy, however, think of it as a way to link your car insurance to the state so that they are aware of changes or cancelations in your policy. Even if you don’t have a car, you can file for non-owner SR-22 insurancee which provides liability-only coverage in the case that you get in an accident while driving someone else’s vehicle. .
4. Pay the necessary fees.
The State of Illinois has different reinstatement fees, all of which are outlined here. Our team can also help you determine specifically how much you will owe to have your license reinstated.
5. Wait.
After you’ve completed the necessary steps, there will be a waiting period to get your license officially reinstated. It can take up to 2 weeks for your paperwork to be processed, so make sure that you completely stay off of the roads until your license is no longer suspended.
For further help with Illinois driver’s license reinstatement, please contact us at Johnson & Goldrich, P.C. today!