How to Get Your License Reinstated After a DUI in California

There are a lot of reasons to brag about living in California, but unfortunately state law on getting your license reinstated after a DUI is not one of them.

If you’ve been convicted of a DUI in California you are going to lose your license for at least a few months. But whether it was suspended or revoked, you can get it back without too much trouble if you follow these steps.

The bad news is that you are going to have to go the DMV to get this done. But that, plus some paperwork and fees, will let you back behind the wheel.

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The process is the same whether your license was suspended or revoked. The only difference is how long you lose your license.

Before you go about applying for a new license, you have to fulfill all the terms and conditions of your license suspension or revocation.

That not only means waiting out the time period, but also having to go through any court-ordered treatment, complete traffic school, and get an ignition interlock if required.

Once all that is done, you need to get completion certificates from any court-mandated programs, and have those ready when you go to get your license back.

When you’re in line at the DMV, you’ll also need proof of insurance. Every driver in California must have insurance, and you need your insurance paperwork with you when you apply to have your license reinstated.

Call your insurer to get a document that proves you have coverage. Then don’t forget to bring that paperwork with you when you go.

In addition to your other documentation, you’ll need to fill out an application for reinstatement, called Form 44 in California.

Bring your checkbook to cover the reinstatement fee of $150 as well. If you’re under 21 and failed the sobriety test because of California’s zero tolerance law, the fee is only $100.

You may have to wait a while before you can apply to get your license back, but you can apply early if you meet certain requirements. Talk to your attorney about how soon you can apply to get your license back and what you need to do to get it.

While going to the DMV is a pain, at least you can make an appointment online so you won’t have to wait so long when you get there. Don’t let the line stop you from getting back your freedom to drive.

Related Resources:

• California Driver’s License Reinstatement Manual (Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles)
• New 2010 California DUI Laws Focus on Ignition Interlock Devices (FindLaw’s KnowledgeBase)
• You Got an Out-of-State DUI: Now What? (FindLaw’s Blotter)