DUI Law & Administrative Law
DUI Reinstatement Steps and Facts
If you have been convicted of a DUI, there are a few steps to take in order to complete the process of reinstating your license. These charges come with consequences and may require the help of a DUI reinstatement attorney. Below, we discuss the common steps required for this process.
What is DUI Reinstatement?
In many cases, if you’re found guilty of a DUI, one of the consequences is losing your driver’s license. Unlike a suspension, your revoked license is meant to be permanent until you comply with requirements of the Secretary of State. However, with DUI reinstatement, you’ll be able to drive again in the future. With this process, you will go through administrative hearings that will determine if you can get your license back. For many people, hiring a DUI reinstatement lawyer in Chicago, Illinois is your best option to get you back on the road and driving again.
How Do I Get My License Reinstated?
The first step to getting your license reinstated is to hire an experienced DUI reinstatement attorney in Chicago, Illinois. The attorney is there to help you navigate the process and make sure everything is done correctly. The first step is to fill out an application with help from your lawyer. The application displays several things, including:
- Proof of alcohol and drug evaluation
- Proof of financial stability
- Completion of a treatment program
- Passing a driver’s license exam
- Fee payment
- Attend a Secretary of State hearing
While you can complete this process on your own, you increase the chances of a successful outcome when you hire an experienced DUI reinstatement lawyer, especially for the upcoming DUI administrative hearing.
How Much Does Reinstatement Cost?
Money is always an important topic when hiring a lawyer and when it comes to DUI reinstatement, we should know how much the process will cost. In addition to the cost of hiring your DUI reinstatement attorney, the cost of reinstating your license (as low as $500). This is paid after approval from administrative hearings and requires the purchase of SR-22 insurance as well. An SR-22 is a vehicle liability insurance document that is required by most state’s Department of Motor Vehicle offices. This is considered a “high-risk” insurance policy and can cost more than your typical car insurance.
How Long Does the Process Take?
How long it can take to get your license back after it has been revoked? For the most part, the length of time it takes to reinstate your license is dependent on how quickly you complete the necessary tasks for the application. Depending on your time frame, as well as any backlog in the court system, your license can be reinstated anywhere from one to ten years after the application is complete. However, there is a specific length of time from receiving your DUI to being able to reinstate your license before you can even apply.
A first-time offense typically requires one year. Two offenses require five years’ time, while three offenses result in 10 years. If you have a fourth offense, it’s possible to receive a permanent revocation with no chance to reinstate.
How Much Does It Cost to Reinstate a Suspended License?
If your license is suspended, rather than being revoked, you still may need the help of a DUI reinstatement lawyer in Chicago, Illinois. However, in order to get your suspended license reinstated, the type of DUI you received will determine the fee you pay. For example, a first offense DUI forces you to pay $250 to reinstate your license. Any subsequent suspensions will require $500 to reinstate your license.