Illinois Driver’s License Reinstatement With Repeat Offenses

If you are pursuing Illinois driver’s license reinstatement, you need to know what you’re facing. The process for earning back your driving privileges can vary based on the cause for suspension or revocation.

For example, you may face license suspension for either taking and failing a chemical test or for refusing one. If you are convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI), your driver’s license will be revoked. The length of suspension or revocation will depend largely on how many times you have been arrested for similar charges. This will also determine how we approach your driver’s license reinstatement.

Below, we go into some ways you can end up with a revoked or suspended license in Illinois and for how long.

Reasons You May Lose Your Driver’s License

• Failing or refusing chemical testing when pulled over by police
• DUI conviction(s)
• Leaving an accident that caused death or bodily harm
• Driving without car insurance
• Participating in drag racing or street racing
• Failing to appear in court for any traffic citation
• Possessing, displaying or trying to use an altered driver’s license or ID, or using a license or ID that doesn’t belong to you and/or allowing another person to use the license
• Charges related to fraud
• Illegal transportation of alcohol while under 21
• Auto theft

The above list is not exhaustive and there are many other charges that can result in a loss of driving privileges. The path to reinstatement varies from case to case.

When it comes to DUI arrests, repeat offenses can make it particularly difficult to get your license back. This is true even if you do not receive a DUI conviction.

Statutory Summary Suspension

You will receive a statutory summary suspension if you refused or failed chemical testing.

• For a first offense, you will face an automatic 6-month suspension for failing a chemical test.
• For a second offense, you will face an automatic 12-month suspension for failing a chemical test.
• For a first offense, you will face an automatic 12-month suspension for refusing a chemical test.
• For a second offense, you will face an automatic 3-year suspension for refusing a chemical test.

You are considered a repeat offender if:

• You have a previous statutory summary suspension or license revocation in Illinois
• You have an out of state suspension for refusing a chemical test
• You have court supervision for a DUI
• You were convicted of a DUI within the last 5 years

Reinstating your driver’s license after a statutory summary suspension can be complicated. For one, you must wait out the suspension period before applying for reinstatement. This process always requires paying a reinstatement fee to the Secretary of State.

In general, the nature of the conviction(s) behind a suspension will dictate the procedure for reinstatement. The Secretary of State will also look at your driving record and any past violations. You may have to attend a formal or informal reinstatement hearing.

Working with a qualified Illinois driver’s license reinstatement attorney can help you get your license back. At Johnson & Goldrich, P.C., we’ll help you understand the necessary steps based on your situation.

DUI-Related Revocations

A DUI conviction always results in license revocation. Before getting your license back after DUI in Illinois, you will have to understand the penalties related to this type of charge:

• Penalties for a first DUI conviction – Class A misdemeanor: Minimum 1-year‍ license revocation (increases to 2 years if the driver is under 21).
• Penalties for a second DUI conviction – Class A misdemeanor: Minimum imprisonment for 5 days or 240 hours of community service. Minimum revocation of driving privileges for 5 years (for a second conviction within 20 years) and vehicle registration suspension.
• Penalties for a third DUI conviction (aggravated DUI) – Class 2 felony: A 10-year license revocation (minimum) and vehicle registration suspension.
• Penalties for a Fourth or subsequent DUI Conviction (aggravated DUI, Class 2, 1, or X felony): Lifelong license revocation and vehicle registration suspension.

It should also be noted that if you refuse chemical testing after an accident causing serious injury to another person or a fatality, you’ll face a minimum 1-year license revocation.

The revoked license Illinois reinstatement process is intentionally difficult. That’s why you need a qualified attorney on your side. Whether this is your first or fifth conviction, Johnson & Goldrich, P.C., will help you fight to regain your driving privileges.

How To Get Your Driver’s License Back After Suspension or Revocation

When pursuing license reinstatement, it’s important to work with a driver’s license lawyer who fully understands Illinois traffic laws. When you choose Johnson & Goldrich, P.C., we bring over two decades of experience to the table. You can depend on us to thoroughly review your case and identify the best path forward.

We will first assess all available options for pursuing license reinstatement. If you didn’t receive a DUI conviction, we will look for options outside an administrative hearing. We’ll look at each traffic violation conviction that led to the suspension or revocation as well as past violations.

If possible, we’ll aim to revisit the case and eliminate the offense(s) from your driving record. This would subsequently lead to the lifting of the suspension or revocation. If this option is not possible, then a hearing will be necessary. We will schedule the hearing, prep you ahead of time, and represent you before the Illinois Secretary of State.

Contact Our Law Firm

If you’re an Illinois resident struggling to get your license back after multiple driving-related offenses, we can help. Contact our law firm today to schedule a consultation.