When Can Your Driving License Be Revoked and What Can You Do About It?

Driving provides easy transportation for buying groceries, commuting to work, and enjoying recreational activities. The ability to drive is integral to daily life, but many people forget that it is a privilege, not a right.

This right can be revoked for numerous reasons, like severe traffic violations or failure to comply with court orders. Knowing the reasons for license revocation helps people understand the risks of certain activities and prevents the debilitating problems that stem from the inability to drive.

What is a Revoked License?

A revoked license means the person has lost their right to operate a motor vehicle. This sentence lasts indefinitely, but the license holder can typically earn back their license by addressing the underlying reason for the punishment.

What's the Difference Between Suspended and Revoked Licenses?

License suspensions take away someone's driving rights for a set period, but the same license is still valid afterward. Each state has legal limits for how long a suspension may last, depending on the severity of the crime. For example, Texas has a maximum suspension duration of one year unless the person is convicted of a felony DWI.

Alternative licenses are available for people during a suspension. Obtaining these temporary licenses isn't easy; applicants must prove an urgent need to drive. Depending on the state, these licenses have different names, such as Essential Needs Permits or Occupational Driver's Licenses.

In comparison, revocations are permanent. However, this doesn't mean that the person can never drive again. A revocation invalidates the current license but doesn't always prevent the driver from obtaining a new license when the punishment is lifted.

To obtain a new license, the driver must pass the state's requirements. Additionally, there are no temporary options allowing people with revoked licenses to drive under certain conditions.

Reasons for License Revocation

License revocations are administered by each state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DPS) or the courts. This punishment is not always caused by driving-related infractions and may be doled out to people with a pattern of irresponsible behavior.

The most common reasons for license revocation include:

• Felony DUIs: Causing an injury or death due to driving under the influence will likely result in a license revocation. First-time misdemeanor DUIs typically lead to a suspension, but many states have zero-tolerance policies for repeat offenders.
• Driving with a Suspended License: Continuing to drive with a suspended license can escalate the punishment into a revocation. In most states, driving with a revoked or suspended license is a misdemeanor and will appear on the offender's criminal record.
• Hit-and-runs: Fleeing from the scene of an accident can result in a revoked license. The chances of a revocation instead of a suspension increase dramatically if the collision caused injury or property damage.
• Reckless Driving: Repeat offenders engaging in reckless driving can have their license revoked. A license suspension typically precedes this punishment.
• Failure to Pay Child Support: Missing child support payments is the most common non-driving cause of license revocation. Courts revoke licenses as effective enforcement and can lift the order if the owing spouse fulfills the missing support obligations.
• Drug and Alcohol Offenses by Minors: Substance-using behavior by minors is often punished with revocation. In these cases, it's common for the offender to be blocked from obtaining a new license until they are an adult.

Will Your License Get Revoked if You Get Four or More Traffic Convictions?

Most states assign points to each person's driving record for infractions. Each offense is calculated differently, but speeding, running a light, driving without a license, or driving while intoxicated will lead to points.

Each state manages its point system separately, but the general guidelines are the same. Drivers who accrue too many points within a set period face additional penalties. There is no hardline number of offenses that lead to a license revocation.

These points do not disappear once the driver's license is suspended. This persistence means that the first offense after a license suspension could escalate the situation into a revocation.

The required time for points to "fall off" a record ranges between three to five years. However, points can be removed by passing driving tests or approved safety courses.

How Long Does a Revoked License Last?

While a license revocation is technically indefinite, it doesn't always work that way in practice. Some offenders can obtain a new license after a revocation; however, they must repeat the process from the beginning.

The waiting period for obtaining a new license varies depending on the offense that triggered the revocation. Revocations for less serious crimes, like hit-and-runs or driving without a license, may only last a few months to a year. Once this period passes, the offender can apply for a new license.

Some felony offenses can prevent a driver from obtaining a new license for the rest of their life. For example, California permanently denies new licenses to people with DUI murders and those who used their vehicle as a deadly weapon.

Impact on Driving Privileges and Record

Instances of a revoked or suspended license will appear on a driving record. These events do not add points but will appear on a targeted background check. This may affect a person's eligibility for driving-related professions.

Driving records are connected to personal identities, not driver's license numbers. This means that obtaining a new license after a revocation will not erase the record. Insurance companies will also see a previously revoked license on a record. They will consider the driver to be at a higher risk and charge matching premiums.

What You Can Do About a Revoked License

A revoked license places a lot of strain on daily life. Going to work or running errands becomes significantly more challenging, especially if there is no easily accessible public transportation in your area.

The absolute first step is to consider if the license revocation is warranted. Forty-eight states have some form of administrative license suspension laws that permit law enforcement to revoke a license at will.

This power means that there are many cases in which drivers have their licenses unfairly revoked for refusing a blood or chemical test. States allow drivers to appeal these citations and remove the penalties if they are successful. However, the situation changes if the license revocation sticks.

Steps to Take if Your License is Revoked

• Confirm the Waiting Period: Carefully mark how long your license is revoked and when you can apply for a new one. This information will help you create a consistent transportation plan.
• Pay Fines and Meet Legal Obligations: The court may assign additional punishments in addition to revoking a license. Offenders must pay fines and complete court-ordered programs (rehabilitation and driver's education) before obtaining a new license.
• Consult an Attorney: Legal guidance can help with the reapplication process or provide avenues to reduce points on your driving record. They may also find problems in the revocation process and lift the ban.
• Reapply for Your License: Once the waiting period ends and you've met all court orders, you can reapply for a new license. The process is the same as when you were a teenager, requiring applicants to pass both written and driving tests.

How to Prevent License Revocation

The best way to prevent a license revocation is to follow traffic laws. Some things are simple, like never driving while intoxicated. However, less mindful offenses like speeding or running a red light are harder to avoid consistently.

These smaller infractions won't immediately result in a license loss and can be addressed by taking defensive driving courses to remove points from your record. Drivers should pay special attention to mundane infractions that could instantly lead to a license revocation. Ensure your vehicle is always insured, and never drive without your license.

Additionally, never drive with a suspended license. Doing so will escalate the suspension to a revocation and create a much bigger headache. While suspended, drivers should ask for rides, hire ride-sharing services, or utilize public transportation.

License revocation is a severe consequence of repeated traffic offenses, felony DUIs, or ignoring court orders. This punishment keeps dangerous elements off the road and forces drivers to reconfirm their capabilities. While some revocations have an expiration date, others can permanently ban someone from obtaining another driver's license.

Exercising safe driving habits and following traffic laws will prevent these troubles. However, involving legal professionals who can help you maintain your lifestyle or combat an unfair revocation may be necessary.