How long will I have a suspended license if I am convicted for DUI?
The following only takes into account the traffic charge for DUI, depending on your circumstances you could also be facing a number of criminal charges, like drug possession, which could make the consequences harsher. The common consequences for an “ordinary” DUI are:
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- First offense – Most of the time that first time offenders are given a license suspension for punishment as a result of a DUI, the suspension can range anywhere from three months to as much as 12 months in exceptional circumstances.
- A second offense – will cost you a two year loss of license.
- A third offense you will lose your license for 10 years!
If I get a DUI in another state can they suspend my license?
If you have a New Jersey driver’s license and were to get a DUI in a state other than New Jersey, the other state can and cannot suspend your license. Let me explain; let’s say you were pulled over in Pennsylvania for driving erratically. The officer does arrest you and you blow a .12% Blood Alcohol. That is .04% higher than the legal limit, so you will be arrested and charged with a DUI.If you are convicted of a DUI Pennsylvania will suspend your license. This means that you are no longer allowed to drive in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania can’t suspend your ability to drive in New Jersey. However, if the State that suspends you and your home state are both part of the interstate compact act, then your home state will also suspend you.
So although Pennsylvania can only suspend your ability to drive in Pennsylvania, the fact is that New Jersey will also suspend your license.
This can come up with old traffic violations. I had a client who lived in Ohio for over 20 years. He then moved to Florida and went to DMV to get his Florida license. Florida wouldn’t issue his license because of a violation in New Jersey from over 20 years ago. Ohio didn’t suspend his license due to his New Jersey suspension, but Florida did.
If you get a violation out of New Jersey check to see how New Jersey will treat your conviction.
If I have a license in another state, do I lose my driving privileges in my home state also?
Most likely. Forty-eight state are part of either the Driver’s License Compact or the Non-Resident Violator Compact. These programs allow New Jersey’s DMV to send information regarding any New Jersey convictions to your DMV. States differ as to how they will treat an out of state violation in their state.
If my driving privileges are suspended or revoked at the time of my DUI, how is the additional period of suspension calculated?
Any additional suspension will be added onto your current suspension. For example, If you had lost your license for seven months and then received DUI with a three month suspension your total suspension would become ten months.
Once I have served my period of suspension, do I automatically get my license back?
No. You must pay a restoration fee of $100.00 to the Division of Motor Vehicles. You should got to you closes location and pay the fee in person. They will also advise you if there is any other impediments to re-issuing you a license.
If I obtain an international driver’s license, may I drive in New Jersey, even though my New Jersey license is revoked?
No.
How do I get to work if my license gets suspended?
If your license is suspended as a result of a DUI charge, you will be unable to drive a vehicle until your license is reinstated. New Jersey doesn’t have a work license. If you are convicted your license is suspended, period. This may leave you without the ability to get to work unless you decide to use public transportation. This is the only choice available to you. That is, unless you have a friend or loved one who is willing to transport you to and from work. If you are a commercial truck driver, bus driver, or delivery person this can leave you out of work. This can be a very expensive endeavor, and this is one of the reasons having your license suspended is a punishment for a DUI charge.
If you are caught driving with a suspended license, a violation of N.J.S. 39:3-40 you are facing mandatory 10 day jail sentence. If there is an accident causing personal injuries you are facing minimum 45 days in jail. In addition, if you have two or more DUI’s or two or more 39:3-40 during a suspension period, you are looking at an indictable charge, N.J.S.2C:40-25 that means minimum 180 days in jail. If you are convicted of a DUI, don’t drive until you get your license back. The consequences of a conviction are too severe.
Free Resources for you
If you are charged with a DUI you need to know your options before going to court. On this page you will see an offer for my books. Click the link, put your name and contact information and we will give you these books free:
- Arrested for Drunk Driving? Learn how to Beat the Odds – Here I discuss defense strategies, and common mistakes I see other attorneys make in defending these complicated cases. I also list for your question you should ask any attorney that you interview for your defense.
- Why Pleading Guilty to Your New Jersey Traffic Ticket is NOT an Option – Here I discuss court process and violations, including DUI’s. There lots of case examples here.
- An Immigrant’s Guide to Municipal Court. This discusses specifically what you will encounter in Municipal Court if you aren’t a U.S. citizen and how it can result in removal proceedings in Immigration Court. I define important terms and guide you through the Municipal Court and Immigration Court process.
If you have DUI or Traffic offenses questions, we have answers. You can:
- Call 888-695-6169 to speak to our knowledgeable staff;
- Fill out the contact us form on this page;
- Select the live chat feature to speak to someone right away.
We help DUI defendants, one court case at a time.
