Reinstatement of License After DUI Conviction

I have been handling license reinstatement cases in Illinois for more than a decade. If the Secretary of State revoked your driver's license for any reason related to a DUI, you cannot apply for full reinstatement of your driving privileges for at least one year. You may be able to apply for a restricted driving permit or RDP almost immediately.

The duration of a DUI license revocation depends on the number of DUI offenses committed as well as the facts of your case.  For a third DUI conviction the duration of license revocation is at least 10 years in addition to other criminal penalties imposed by the court. It is important to note that prior to a third DUI candidate's full reinstatement eligibility, he or she will be eligible for a restricted driving permit. License reinstatement after any DUI conviction has several specific requirements. One of them is the completion of an alcohol/drug test evaluation by a provider certified by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Department of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. This is a statutory requirement and cannot be skipped. A person convicted of three DUIs is classified as Level III Risk (high risk).  Based on the classification, the evaluator will recommend a specific treatment.  In case of a third DUI, the requirement is usually 75 hours of substance abuse treatment and participation in a continued care plan.

Before undergoing an evaluation, you need to consult with an experienced DUI defense attorney. The Secretary of State hearing officer will consider the evaluation in determining reinstatement.  An experienced attorney will help you prepare yourself for the hearing in Illinois as well as the documents that will help you prove to the officer that you are not a danger to public safety. The reinstatement fee in case of a third DUI is $1000.

The driver must also install an ignition interlock device before obtaining reinstatement of driving privileges.  Navigating though the reinstatement process can be daunting.  An experienced attorney will be able to help you follow the steps and present a strong case to the hearing officer. Please contact our office if you need advice regarding reinstatement of your driving privileges after a third DUI conviction.

– Posted by Illinois license reinstatement lawyer John W. Callahan