How To Get A DUI Hardship License

Most law enforcement officials are currently requiring automatic driver's license suspension for DUI violators, making it essential for some offenders to apply for a DUI hardship license. However, while the requirements for acquiring a DUI hardship license vary by state and by the type and severity of the offense, most states have very strict requirements the applicants must meet. A suspended license can place some individuals and families in great difficulty, but state officials do not want to mitigate their mandate to stop DUI violations with the harshest punishment that is reasonable in today's society.

Many states have taken much of the choice away from arresting officers, judges, and courts and mandated certain types of sentences for DUI offenders. Some of the common sentences include:

• Increased fines and court fees

• Longer jail or prison sentences

• Longer probation periods

• Suspension or revocation of driver's licenses

• Confiscation of the offender's vehicle

• Required alcohol and drug classes and counseling

• Required ignition interlock devices for those who retain their driving privileges

Judges do have some discretion within state requirements, but those requirements are more stringent than ever and carry heavy penalties for all levels of DUI convictions.

In some circumstances, an individual will have no other source of transportation by which to fulfill vital obligations. In those cases, they must enlist a skilled DUI attorney to help them appeal to the court for a hardship DUI license. Those licenses are called by a variety of names depending on the state and agency through which the applicant applies:

• Day license

• Work license

• Hardship license

• Limited license

• Cinderella license

There are some common reasons most states and judges will accept for granting a hardship DUI license.

• Employment

• Ongoing medical care for themselves or their family

• Continuing education

• Drug or alcohol rehab, counseling, or meetings

• Necessities of life

• Caring for dependents

Negotiating with a judge to grant this type of hardship DUI license is a complicated process. In most states, the offender will also be required to have an ignition interlock device on their car. If they are stopped by a police officer and they cannot show that they were driving only to the allowable destinations, they may be arrested for driving with a suspended license. Those penalties are even higher than those for a DUI are, so it is crucial that the driver choose their destinations carefully and remain within the constraints of the hardship DUI license.

With the harsh penalties now in place throughout the country, it can be difficult to obtain a hardship DUI license. In fact, it may be impossible without a skilled DUI lawyer to negotiate with the judge and present an effective case for their client's need. It is vital to choose a lawyer who will be committed to fighting for the rights of the applicant in court.