Has your Illinois driving license recently been suspended or revoked?
Whether your license was suspended due to a traffic ticket violation or a DUI, losing your driving license will disrupt your daily life, work, and responsibilities.
Understanding why your license was suspended and how to fix it is essential in getting you back on the road legally and safely.
This guide explains what a suspended license means under Illinois law, what steps to take to get your license back, and the common mistakes to avoid.
Why Your Driving License Was Suspended
A license suspension in Illinois means your driving privileges are temporarily removed. During this time, you cannot legally drive.
The Illinois Secretary of State enforces suspensions for a range of reasons. The most common being:
Traffic Tickets
The type of ticket violation and your driving history determine whether your license will be suspended.
If you commit a serious violation like aggravated speeding (driving 26 mph over the speed limit) or have multiple ticket violations within a 12-month period, this could trigger a license suspension.
Common traffic violations that may result in a suspension include:
- Speeding violations
- An expired license
- Tailgating
- Failure to yield
- A cellphone ticket
- Fixing past
DUI
Driving under the influence (DUI) can upend your life.
If you’re charged with a DUI, your license will be revoked straight away. You’ll need the support of a DUI lawyer to help you build a strategic gameplan to get your license back.
There are many different types of DUIs, including:
- A DUI for nurses
- A DUI for a CDL holder
- An underage DUI
- First-offense DUI
- Second-offense DUI
- A drug based
If you’ve been charged with a DUI, you’ll not only have your license suspended but could also face up to a year in jail, fined up to $2,500, and have points added to your license.
Driving Without a License
Driving on a suspended license because you didn’t know it was suspended happens more than you might think.
In Illinois, driving on a suspended or revoked license is a criminal offense. A first-time violation is a Class A misdemeanor with penalties and fines, including:
- Up to one year in jail
- Fines up to $2,500
- A criminal record
- Increased insurance
Other Reasons Behind a License Suspension
Some other examples of why your license may be suspended include:
- Running from the police
- Letting someone else use your license
- Driving without insurance
- Using a fake or altered
What to Do and What Mistakes to Avoid if You Have a Suspended License
Your driving privileges may be suspended for anywhere from a few months to three years, depending on the circumstances.
Taking the right steps early can make a significant difference in how quickly you can reinstate your license.
What to Do
- Check Your License Status: If you think your license was suspended, make sure to check its status. You’ll need to request a copy from the Illinois Secretary of State Court Purposes Driving Abstract. For $20, you’ll get access to your license details and driving
- Hire an Attorney: Whether you were charged with your first DUI or given a petty speeding ticket, you’ll need an attorney. Our ticket violation or DUI lawyers will gather all the evidence, review your case, and create a tailored strategy to help develop a
- Get Evidence: Gather all of the evidence you have, including your ticket, documentation, any previous violations, pictures, and dashcam or video This can be used in court to support your defense.
Taking proactive steps early can help speed up the process.
What Not to Do
- Do Not Drive on a Suspended License: This is a serious offense in Illinois. Even a short trip can lead to long-term consequences, including:
- Additional fines
- Extended suspension periods
- Possible jail time in more serious cases
- A permanent mark on your driving
- Don’t Admit Guilt: Do not just pay a fine or accept the points straight away. This may be considered an admission of guilt, especially if you weren’t over the limit and there was limited Talk to an attorney before paying any fines or agreeing to any penalties.
- Don’t Ignore the Suspension: If you’ve been suspended, there will be a reason behind the Look into why your license was suspended, get legal advice, and put together a plan on your next steps. Avoiding the suspension will not make it go away.
- Don’t Miss a Court Date: With some traffic violations, you’ll be required to attend court Make sure to attend them with a lawyer and all of the necessary documentation.
What to Do Next?
A suspended license in Illinois doesn’t have to mean the end of your driving privileges forever.
The most important steps to take next are:
- Understand if and why your license was
- Find an experienced law firm.
- Follow all legal
- Avoid driving until your license is
Taking the right steps early can help you avoid additional penalties and get back on the road as quickly as possible.
