Strategic Advocacy for a Just Tomorrow

Have You Been Driving on a Suspended License?

Defense Attorney Ken Peterson Can Help as You Deal with the Loss of Your License

While not carrying the same menace as a jail sentence, a license suspension can be nearly as disruptive and damaging to your life. Losing your license severely curtails your freedom, makes it difficult to work, and places an added burden upon your family. While it may seem worth the risk to continue driving and hope you do not get caught, this will only compound what is already a bad situation. If you live in Utah and are dealing with a period of license revocation, or have been charged with driving on a suspended license, Attorney Ken Peterson at Northern Utah Law may fight the charges or help you obtain a restricted license or reinstatement.

When Can a License be Suspended?

Driving is a privilege, and there are many reasons a person’s license may be revoked. Driver’s license suspensions in Utah usually happen because an individual disobeyed the rules of the road. Once your Utah driver’s license has been suspended, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle in Utah. However, violating traffic laws is not the only way to get your driver’s license suspended. There are other violations that can leave you without a license, such as:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI)

• Refusing to submit to a blood draw, breathe test, or urine sample

• Driving without car insurance

• Failing to appear in court and pay a traffic ticket

• Failing to pay child support

• Driving with a suspended license

• Committing a texting violation or an alcohol-restricted driver violation

• Vehicular homicide

Drivers in Utah are subject to a demerit point system. Utah’s point system issues points to drivers according to the type of offenses they commit on the roadways. Accumulating too many points will result in a suspended license. The following offenses will give a driver demerit points on their license:

• Reckless driving – 80 points

• Failing to yield right-of-way – 60 points

• Driving against traffic – 60 points

• Improper passing – 50 points

• Running a stop sign or red light – 50 points

• Speeding – 35 to 70 points depending on the speed

• Other moving violations – 40 points

Drivers ages 21 and over who accrue 200 or more demerit points within three years will be required to appear at a court hearing. A court hearing regarding demerit points often ends with a driver being placed on a probationary period or a driver having their driving privileges suspended. A suspension period for an adult driver could range between three months and one year, depending on their driving record.

Alternatively, drivers ages 20 and younger must appear at a court hearing if they accrue 70 demerit points or more within three years. Drivers who hit the 70-point limit will have their license suspended for 30 days up to one year.

How to Reinstate a Utah Driver’s License?

A Utah driver must complete the reinstatement process before they can legally operate a motor vehicle on any public road within the state. The reinstatement processes each driver must complete will differ depending upon the offense they committed.

The Utah Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) sets the requirements for drivers who wish to reinstate their license. These requirements can include:

• Completing a defensive driving course

• Providing proof of car insurance

• Retaking DMV driving exams

A driver with a suspended license must pay reinstatement fees to Utah’s Driver License Division. A fee of $35 is charged for any type of offense that is not DUI-related. The reinstatement fee for a DUI-related offense is $65. Motorists who commit a DUI-related offense may also be required to pay an administrative fee to restore their driver’s license. The administrative fee for a DUI-related offense is $230; this fee must be paid in addition to the reinstatement fee.

Applying for a Hardship Driver’s License

If your driver’s license has been suspended in Utah, you may be able to apply for a hardship driver’s license during your suspension period. A hardship driver’s license, also known as a restricted license, allows motorists to drive to work or school despite having a suspended license. To be eligible for a hardship license, drivers must satisfy requirements set by Utah’s DMV. Utah’s DMV requires drivers to submit a letter from the judge who most recently convicted them and a written verification form from a doctor proving their ineligibility to drive. Motorists must also pay applicable reinstatement fees and license fees to receive their hardship license.

Defense Attorney Ken Peterson Can Help Get Your License Reinstated

If you or a family member needs to have their license reinstated, you should consult with an experienced defense attorney. Criminal defense lawyer Ken Peterson can help you reinstate your suspended license. Utah’s DMV can have confusing policies concerning suspended driver’s licenses, and he is here to aid you in deciphering them. Ken has extensive experience dealing with various aspects of criminal law, and he will put that experience to work for you. Contact him online to schedule a consultation.