Suspended License? 4 Steps for What to Do Next – Guest Post

Depending on the reason why your license is suspended, it may be really easy to get it fully reinstated. Usually, it is best to take care of this right away, so you won’t have to go without driving for any period of time, and you won’t get into deeper trouble by driving without a valid license.

That said, getting your license reinstated may be as simple as taking care of the following issues in order to legally drive again:

1. Pay Outstanding Fines

You may be suspended because you owe a municipality money from unpaid traffic tickets. These can be for any number of moving violations, but they are most commonly due to speeding.

Go to the police station or courthouse in the jurisdiction where you received the infraction and pay it in full. Get a receipt and bring it to the DMV along with any fees that you may need to pay to restore your license. These costs are completely dependent on where you live and are usually based on the reason why your license was suspended in the first place. You may even need to get your tickets amended because paying for them may get your license suspended again.

2. Get a SR-22 Form

If you have already dealt with a suspension in the past, and this is a subsequent offense, you may need to get a “Certificate of Financial Responsibility,” otherwise known as SR-22 form, in order to legally resume driving. These forms indicate that you have insured yourself and your vehicle sufficiently enough to meet auto liability requirements in your state.

3. Attend Required Classes

If your license was suspended specifically due to an accumulation of points, reckless driving, or a DUI, you will probably need to take a court-approved class in order to be reinstated.

For example, if you received a DUI, depending on whether or not it is your first offense, you should be able to enroll in a drug and alcohol education course provided by a local nonprofit organization. Of course, you should get an experienced local attorney, like the Law Offices of Jonathan Steele, to advise you on what to do next.

If you are suspended due to points accumulated from numerous moving violations, you will probably need to attend a defensive driving course at a nearby driving school. These classes will help you to relearn basic driving procedures and to operate a vehicle in the safest manner possible.

4. Go to Court

If you have a court date because you committed some type of vehicular offense, or you are suspended due to another legal situation, such as being in arrears on child support, you will need to attend all court hearings in order to reinstate your license. Skipping court can result in a warrant for your arrest or a default judgment, as well.

In conclusion, there are many reasons why your license may be suspended, so there are also numerous ways to reinstate it based on your circumstances. That is why it is probably best to check with the DMV to find out what you should do to qualify for reinstatement.