FAQs On Restoring Your Driver's License

Have you ever had your driver’s license revoked? It happens, likely more often than you think. With that in mind, our DWI lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to clear up a few of the frequently asked questions regarding restoring your driver’s license, in this week’s blog. If you ever find yourself needing to restore your driver’s license and would like the help of an EXPERIENCED license reinstatement defense lawyer at the Lake of the Ozarks, please call Deputy and Mizell today. We can be reached at 573-346-9990.

FAQs On Restoring Your Driver’s License

Q: If my case goes to court if I’ve been denied my license for 5 or more years, what will happen at the hearing?

A: There are certain criteria you must meet to obtain your license after a five- or ten-year license denial and the court will look into whether you meet the requirements or not before they decide to reissue your license.

You must not have been convicted of drug or alcohol charges during the five- or ten-year suspension period. If you were convicted of such charges during the suspension period then the clock starts over.

At the hearing:

The judge may question you to determine if your habits and conduct show you no longer pose a threat to public safety.
Your criminal record will be examined to see if you’ve been found guilty of or have pending charges for any alcohol, controlled substances, or drug-related offense during the time of your license suspension.
It is very important to be prepared in advance of this hearing and especially for when the judge questions you.
For proper guidance, work with an attorney who has experience in these proceedings.

Q: What are some of the most common reasons people get their driver’s license taken away?

A: First, you must figure out the reason your license has been suspended, revoked, or denied. The Department of Revenue may have sent you a letter stating the reason or reasons why and you can also contact the Missouri Department of Revenue. There may be multiple issues or “Department Actions” that are active on your driver’s record and each one must be resolved in order to reinstate a license.

The most common situations that lead to a license suspension, revocation, or denial are:

A DWI, DUI, or other alcohol-related conviction
Non-payment of child support
Non-payment of a judgment relating to an uninsured/underinsured automobile accident
A conviction for no proof of insurance
Failure to appear in court or pay fines of a previously issued traffic ticket
An accumulation of excess points within a given period of time
A blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or more if over 21 years of age
A BAC of .02 or more if under 21 years of age
Refuse to submit to a breath, blood, or urine test

Q: What constitutes the punishment of a 5 or 10 year driver’s license denial?

If you receive alcohol-related convictions (such as DWIs) twice within five years of your first conviction, you will receive a five-year license denial where the Department of Revenue will deny your ability to get a license for five years.
If you receive a third alcohol-related conviction within five years of your first conviction, you will receive a ten-year license denial where your ability to get a license will be denied for ten years.
After the suspension time has passed, you will need to file a petition to the circuit court where you received the last alcohol-related conviction in order to obtain a reinstatement of your license. The court will typically hold a hearing to determine whether the Missouri Department of Revenue should issue your driver’s license.

Q: Do I have to pay anything to get my driver’s license restored?

A: You must pay a fee and file the necessary forms to reinstate your license. The fee amounts and required forms depend on why your license was suspended or revoked. The chart that lists the specific fees and forms required can be found on the Missouri Department of Revenue website.

Payments and forms can be submitted in person or by mail, and you can also pay your reinstatement fee online.

Get Your Questions Answered By An Experienced Attorney Who Can Help Today!

Deputy and Mizell has the experience and skills to help you get your license restored! We know how tough this sort of situation can be, so give us a call today. We offer consultations and your first consultation is free. You can reach us by calling our Camdenton Law Firm at 573-346-9990. You can also stay up to date on our latest important announcements by following us on our different social media platforms listed below. We are constantly keeping our followers updated on a weekly basis.