Driving is a major part of daily life, making losing that privilege daunting. When facing criminal charges, the terms “license suspension” and “license revocation” become all too real. What separates these terms, and why does that distinction matter for your case?
License suspension is a temporary penalty
A license suspension is temporarily withdrawing your driving privileges for a specified period. During this time, the Secretary of State’s office holds your license, and you cannot legally drive. Suspensions can result from various offenses, such as:
- Failure to appear in court
- Failure to pay traffic fines or penalties
- Accumulation of too many traffic points
- Driving under the influence (DUI) or other serious traffic violations
After the suspension period ends, you can reactivate your license by paying a reinstatement fee and submitting proof of insurance.
License revocation is more permanent
A license revocation is a more serious punishment, resulting in the permanent cancellation of driving privileges. Revocations often occur due to:
- Multiple DUI convictions
- Felony convictions related to driving
- Fraudulent activities involving a driver’s license
Unlike suspensions, revocations do not have a predetermined end date. You may need to apply for a new license and meet the eligibility requirements to regain driving privileges.
Enlisting legal help can be beneficial to your case
If your license is at risk of being suspended or revoked, you have options. You may be eligible for a restricted driving permit or a hardship license. These allow limited driving privileges for essential activities like work or medical appointments.
In Illinois, driving with a suspended or revoked license is a serious violation. You may encounter fines, jail time and further loss of driving privileges if you do so. The penalties increase for repeat offenders.
Attempting to resolve this legal challenge alone is risky. A skilled lawyer can explain the charges you are facing, build defenses to fight them and help protect your driving privileges.