A suspended driver's license is expensive, embarrassing and inconvenient. But, depending on the nature of your suspension and the state you live in, you may be able to get back on the road with what's known as a hardship license. A hardship license is issued when your normal driver's license has been revoked or suspended. It allows you to drive, but only under certain circumstances and for approved reasons, mainly to get back and forth to work.
"There are many reasons that your license could be suspended -- driving without insurance, piling up tons of tickets and even not paying your child support -- but the majority of hardship licenses are issued to DUI offenders," says Shane Fischer, a Florida attorney.
In all cases, you have to prove that the lack of a driver's license is causing a hardship for you or your family, which in many states is not that difficult.
You're not off the hook
Requirements vary by state, and the process can take some time.
In Illinois, for example, drivers must send a written request to the Secretary of State, attend a hearing, and also complete any required courses or counseling. Florida requires taking and passing a 12-hour traffic school.
Once you have been approved for a hardship or restricted driving permit (RDP), as they call it in Illinois, you are legal to drive, but there are many restrictions. You can drive to approved locations, usually work, daycare or school and a few stores for errands. Many states assign a nighttime curfew.
You will be required to show proof of car insurance before a restricted license is issued, says CarInsurance.com consumer analyst Penny Gusner. If a DUI is involved, most states also require an SR-22 filing from your insurer, verifying your insurance coverage. If you drop your coverage, the DMV is notified and your restricted license revoked.
Getting caught driving after hours or for unapproved reasons will result in your hardship license being revoked. Most states don't offer second chances.
But hardship enforcement is difficult. There is no cost-effective way to monitor hardship drivers, and it is up to the discretion of the police officer who pulls you over to decide if you are within the limits of your restricted license.
A hardship license isn't part of the punishment
Nothing about a hardship license changes the penalties for the offense that got you into trouble in the first place, Fischer says. Any requirement for alcohol counseling or classes or an ignition interlock device remains in place.
In some states there is a mandatory waiting period before a DUI offender can apply for a hardship license, typically 45-90 days. Many states limit hardship licenses to first-time DUI offenders, and other states, like New Jersey and Rhode Island, don't offer a hardship program at all.
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