Driver’s License Reinstatement

Driver's License Reinstatement Attorney in Illinois

If your driver’s license was suspended or revoked due to a DUI or other offense, you’re likely eagerly looking forward to the day when you can have it reinstated. Unfortunately, you may find the driver’s license reinstatement process less straightforward than you hope. However, an Illinois attorney can help. They can evaluate your case, gather evidence on your behalf, explain your options, and represent you in your hearings.

Has your driver’s license been suspended or revoked? The northern Illinois attorneys at Nold & Walsh, LLC, are here to help. Contact our team today for a free consultation. We’re committed to protecting your rights and getting your driver’s license reinstated.

Driver’s License Suspension and Revocation in Illinois

In Illinois, you can lose your driver’s license in two ways. Your driver’s license can be suspended, which is a temporary measure requiring you to meet specific conditions for reinstatement. Alternatively, it can be revoked, which is an outright termination of your driver’s license. Getting a revoked driver’s license reinstated can be a more complex process.

According to the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, which is responsible for driver’s license suspensions and revocations, your license can be suspended or revoked for multiple reasons, including:

DUI Offenses – One of the most common reasons for driver’s license suspensions and revocations is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Illinois is 0.08 percent. However, if you are under the age of 21, being pulled over with any alcohol in your system will result in the suspension of your driver’s license.
Repeated Traffic Violations – Accumulating too many points on your driver’s license can result in suspension. The Illinois Secretary of State’s website has a published list of traffic offenses and their resulting point values.
Non-Payment of Child Support – Failure to pay child support may result in a driver’s license suspension under the Family Financial Responsibility Act.
Failure to Appear – If you fail to appear in court for a traffic violation, your driver’s license may be suspended.

In the past, an Illinois driver could also lose their license for failure to pay traffic fines. However, the 2021 SAFE-T Act changed that as part of an effort to reduce the number of people jailed for being unable to afford fines. If you have questions about this change in the law and what it could mean for your case, your attorney can provide clarification and insight.

Do I Need a Drivers’ License Reinstatement Attorney?

An attorney with experience handling driver’s license reinstatement cases can make getting your suspended or revoked driver’s license back easier. They will understand Illinois traffic laws and the driver’s license reinstatement process and can help you overcome some of the most common hurdles.

If this is your first time going through the driver’s license reinstatement process, the guidance of an attorney can significantly reduce the amount of time you spend on it. And if you’ve gone through it before, you likely know how much having an attorney can help.

Some of the legal services a driver’s license reinstatement attorney can provide include:

Case Evaluation – Your attorney will evaluate your case to determine your available legal options. They’ll be able to explain the reason for your driver’s license suspension or revocation and advise you on your next steps.
Evidence Gathering – You may need to present evidence at your driver’s license reinstatement hearing, such as documents proving you’ve completed specific programs. For example, the conditions of your driver’s license reinstatement may require you to attend driving courses or a drug and alcohol treatment program. Your attorney can assist with getting all your documents together.
Hearing Representation – When you go in for your hearing, having an attorney by your side can increase your chances of success. They’ll present evidence and make a compelling argument for reinstating your driver’s license on your behalf.
Other Services – A lawyer can help in a variety of other ways, such as answering your questions, helping you fill out necessary paperwork, and making sure you meet deadlines.

The Driver's License Reinstatement Process

What does the driver’s license reinstatement process in Illinois entail? That depends on whether your driver’s license was suspended or revoked. In general, it will be easier to have a suspended driver’s license reinstated than a revoked one.

Suspended Driver’s License Reinstatement

If your driver’s license has been suspended, the general reinstatement process is as follows:

Determine the reason for your driver’s license suspension. Depending on the reason for the suspension, you may have to meet different requirements and pay different fees.
Fulfill the requirements associated with your suspension. These requirements may include having a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) installed in your car if your suspension has to do with alcohol or drug use.
Pay your reinstatement fees. The fees you must pay depend on the traffic offense committed and whether this is your first offense. The fees for repeat offenders are higher than for first-time offenders.
Submit your driver’s license reinstatement application to the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.
Await approval from the Secretary of State’s office.

Revoked Driver’s License Reinstatement

If your driver’s license has been revoked, the general reinstatement process is as follows:

Determine the reason for your driver’s license revocation. You may need to meet different requirements and pay different fees depending on why your driver’s license was revoked.
Fulfill the requirements associated with your driver’s license revocation. These requirements may include providing proof of treatment for drug and alcohol dependency or completion of a required course.
Prepare for your hearing with an officer of the Secretary of State. Gather your documents and discuss what to expect with your attorney.
Attend your hearing and present your case to the hearing officer. For a first offense, you may be able to attend an informal hearing. If this is not your first offense, you must file a request for a formal hearing and pay an additional filing fee.
Pay your reinstatement fees. The amount you need to pay depends on the nature of your suspension and whether you are a first-time or multiple offender.
Await approval from the Secretary of State’s office.

Contact the Illinois Driver’s License Reinstatement Attorneys at Nold & Walsh, LLC

A suspended or revoked driver’s license can have a significantly disruptive effect on your life. For example, it can make getting to and from work difficult. Additionally, it may severely limit your freedom of movement and ability to run errands, spend time with loved ones, and function independently. Being reliant on others for rides or dependent on public transit can be exhausting. And if you’re caught driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license, your situation will only worsen. For these reasons, you’ll want to do everything you can to make getting your driver’s license reinstated as straightforward as possible.

At Nold & Walsh, LLC, we’re committed to helping residents of Kane, Lake, and McHenry counties get their driver’s licenses back. Contact our team today for a free consultation about your case. We’ll walk you through the legal process, answer your questions, and assist you in filing your reinstatement form or preparing for your hearing.