License suspensions occur when a driver has either violated traffic laws several times or is pulled over with a DUI. Licenses can be suspended for months or even years. The timeframe of the suspension will depend on the individual's prior driving record and the severity of the violations that they already have on their driving record.
There are many driving-related grounds for suspending a driver's license. One of the most common is being pulled over with a DUI. A DUI offense is taken very seriously in the United States, and law enforcement officers take a "no tolerance" approach to DUI-related offenses. Having a DUI can directly cause an individual to have their driver’s license suspended for months, years, or even permanently depending on the particular facts of their case. Some other common causes of moving-related grounds for suspension are:
Many states have provisions that allow a non-driving related license suspension. The premise behind this is that driving is a privilege and not a right. If an individual is not following other obligations in society, they may have their license suspended to get their attention to fulfill their other obligations. Some of the most common reasons for receiving a non-driving related license suspension are:
Some states have provisions that each driver must adhere to as a condition of getting their driving license called implied consent laws. An example of this is motorists must comply with a breathalyzer or similar alcohol test if prompted by an officer. If they fail to do so, that could cause an automatic suspension to their driving license.
Some states have a point system where they add up the number of offenses a driver has each year to determine whether they are a "negligent operator." In California, if an individual obtains four or more in twelve months, six points in twenty-four months, or eight points in thirty-six months, they may be subject to license suspensions.
Usually, traffic courts will send a notice indicating that your license has been suspended. On some of these notices, there will be steps outlined to explain your various options for avoiding suspension. After getting the traffic court's notice, you will then receive correspondence from your state's Secretary of State indicating that your driving privileges have been suspended. The most common information in these notifications will include:
Depending on your track record, you should speak with an attorney about your case. If you have more severe charges such as a DUI, then it is wise to have an attorney help you with the requirements to get your driving record back on track and have all of your requirements satisfied.
License suspensions occur in the United States for both driving and non-driving types of offenses. The regulations governing license suspensions vary depending on each state's laws. Be sure to have a comprehensive understanding of what your state's regulations are so that you can avoid having too many traffic violations or more severe charges. Also, if you do pay child support, be sure to pay every payment on time to avoid possibly having your driver's license suspended. For minors, be extra careful not to break laws when driving because a license suspension is strictly enforced for minors since they are inexperienced drivers.