After an Illinois resident aged 21 or older has been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, the driver’s license is suspended for one year. Anyone younger than 21 has the license suspended for two years. Repeat offenders face lengthier suspension times or revocation. DUI reinstatement in Illinois is not automatic. The person must apply for the privilege of reinstatement.
Revocation for Repeat Offenders
The state may revoke the driver’s license when someone is a repeat offender. That means driving privileges have ended for a much longer time frame or even permanently. DUI reinstatement in Illinois then becomes more difficult.
The Reinstatement Hearing
In both suspension and revocation cases, the individual must appear at a hearing before a Secretary of State officer to request reinstatement. Often, the applicant is granted a restricted driving permit as the first step.
Restricted Driving Permit Privileges
This permit allows the individual to complete essential tasks like going to work and bringing children to school. It may be considered a probationary stage during which the person is required to stay out of legal trouble. The permit may also allow driving to rehab activities such as attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings or counseling sessions.
Reinstatement Requirements
An alcohol and drug evaluation from an approved agency must be provided to the state. Paying a reinstatement fee is required as well. In either situation, a person benefits from having professional legal representation in the process. Information on a law firm focusing on cases like this can be viewed at Johnson & Goldrich P.C.
