Can You Lose Your Driver’s License for Good Because of DUIs?

If your Oklahoma driver’s license is revoked because of a DUI charge, you could lose your driving privileges for good. To be able to legally drive again, you must meet several different Department of Public Safety (DPS) requirements.

First Step: Challenge the Revocation at an Administrative Hearing

You have only 15 days from the time your license is seized by the arresting officer to request an administrative hearing with the DPS. The officer should give you some paperwork notifying you of how to request a hearing (or you will receive the paperwork shortly after your arrest). The 15 days runs from when you receive the paperwork. If you do not request a hearing within that time, your license will continue to be revoked. In addition, the paperwork does allow you to operate a vehicle for 30 days. After that 30 days elapses, you cannot legally drive.

At the administrative hearing, you can challenge the license revocation. This is a separate proceeding from your criminal DUI case. If you win at the hearing, you will get your license back. If you lose, your license will continue to be revoked. The revocation lasts for 180 days for a first DUI arrest. If it is your second arrest within 10 years, the suspension lasts for one year. If it is your third or subsequent arrest within 10 years, the suspension lasts for three years.

Second Step: Reinstate Your Driving Privileges

After your license revocation period is over, you must reinstate your driving privileges before you can legally drive again. You also need to get a valid driver’s license. Reinstatement for a typical DUI involves the following:

• Pay DPS the required fee of $315.00, plus an additional $50.00 restricted driver license fee if you are required to install an ignition interlock device;
• Attend a state-approved alcohol and drug assessment, and complete all recommendations following the assessment, and provide the completion certificate to the DPS; and
• Install an ignition interlock device if it is your second, third, or subsequent revocation.

For your second revocation, the ignition interlock must remain in place for four years, and for your third or subsequent revocation, for five years. Further, the alcohol and drug assessment could take up to a year to complete.

If you do not complete any of the above requirements, or if you do not complete any additional requirements that depend on the criminal charges you face, you will not get your license back. As a result, you may effectively lose your license for good.

Need an attorney for DUI charges in Oklahoma? Seek out the attorney who is in court nearly every day and teaches other attorneys and law enforcement about sobriety testing techniques. Clint Patterson, Esq., of Patterson Law Firm, a former Tulsa prosecutor now using his trial experience and expert-level knowledge of DUI science to defend drivers, has the experience and the insight to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your case. To schedule a case evaluation, visit Patterson Law Firm online or call Clint’s office at (918) 550-9175.