A person whose license is revoked by the Secretary of State, must request a hearing for reinstatement of their license through the DLAD (Driver's License Appeal Division) after they have reached their eligibility date. In order to be eligible for a hearing it must be at least one year after the license was revoked and may be longer if you received any traffic tickets after your license was revoked.
If your license was revoked for drunk driving offenses, the Secretary of State will require that you have stopped drinking for 6 months to one year and the following documents in order to hold a hearing:
- A substance abuse assessment that was completed within the 90 days before the hearing was requested;
- A 10 panel drug screen completed within 90 days before the hearing was requested;
- Proof that you've regularly attended a support group, such as AA, and that you understand the program and its steps;
- Letters from family and friends showing a change in lifestyle and impact from being alcohol-free.
Once you have stopped drinking for at least 6 months, and have these documents, a hearing can be requested. You will then appear in front of a hearing officer to talk about your past use of alcohol, how you have changed your lifestyle and habits, and review your documentation. After that hearing, the Secretary of State will make a decision on whether to grant you restricted driving privileges or full driving privileges or to keep your license revoked.
If you are granted restricted driving privileges, you will have to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle for at least a year, and then have another hearing with the Secretary of State at the end of the one year time period.
If the Secretary of State denies you driving privileges, then you will have to wait at least one year to request another hearing. You will then have to produce documents again and attend another hearing.
As an attorney experienced in dealing with the Secretary of State and the hearing officer who holds the hearings, I can assist you in preparing all of the documents you need for the hearing and get you feeling confident and ready for a successful hearing.
Contact Walling & Foster, P.C. to speak with an understanding and qualified attorney for a free consultation.
