What Happens to Your Driver’s License After a DUI Arrest in Georgia?
A DUI arrest in Georgia can lead to automatic consequences against your driver’s license, even when there is no resolution yet to your criminal proceedings. What drivers don’t know is that the license consequences can start even without a criminal case. Knowing what happens after your arrest for DUI will allow you to take the best actions from that point forward.
Immediate license consequences after a DUI arrest
If a Georgia resident is arrested for a DUI offense, the authorities might seize the driver’s actual license and give them a temporary license that will allow them to drive under certain conditions until their case is resolved.
Nevertheless, this temporary license doesn’t last forever. The driver should act fast and try their best to fight the ensuing suspension of their driver’s license. Otherwise, the driver can be suspended by the Georgia DDS after the expiration of their temporary license.
The administrative suspension of a driver’s license is completely independent of the criminal DUI offense filed against the driver. A driver can even be administratively suspended despite the pending criminal case against them.
Length of a DUI license suspension
Depending on various circumstances, the duration of a suspension from driving after a DUI arrest will vary. For a first-time offender, the duration of a license suspension will be a few months, whereas the second or third offenses will have a much longer duration.
If a driver gets arrested for DUI several times, the penalties will become more severe. Penalties for repeat offenders can consist of license suspension for several months, a compulsory treatment program, and other restrictive measures.
Since repeat DUI cases are considered serious in Georgia, the risk of punishment becomes higher after each consecutive arrest.
Limited driving permits
In some cases, those charged with DUI and who have their licenses suspended can be eligible for restricted driving privileges. Restricted permits enable the licensee to drive in certain circumstances, such as going to work, attending educational institutions, seeking treatment, and taking part in court-mandated programs.
This can make it easier for a person to continue working and meeting other responsibilities while they are waiting for the DUI charges to be sorted out.
Nevertheless, you can be eligible for a restricted driving permit depending on the circumstances.
Additional requirements for license reinstatement
Following the completion of a suspension, there are various things that drivers will need to do before regaining their full rights to drive legally. This includes making sure you pay all your reinstatement fees and take part in a DUI program. You may also have to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle.
Not doing these things will impact the process of having your license restored.
Talk to an Experienced Smyrna, GA, DUI Defense Attorney Today
As soon as the penalties related to your license begin following your DUI arrest, it is vital that you know your rights. You should seek the guidance of a knowledgeable Cobb County DUI attorney at Andrew L. Schwartz, P.C. who will review your case and discuss the various options open to you.
