Most of us in St. Cloud rely on being able to legally drive to hold down our jobs and go about our daily business. Life without a driver’s license seems nearly impossible. If your license is revoked or canceled following a DUI you may be left wondering if you have any right to drive whatsoever.
Limited and restricted licenses following a DUI
If your license was revoked or canceled following a DUI, you may be able to obtain a limited license or a restricted license to use while your original license is revoked or canceled.
You can drive six days a week with a limited license to go to work, abstinence treatment programs, school and for homemaker purposes.
With a restricted license, you can only operate a vehicle that has an ignition interlock device installed in it. This is a device that will not let you start the car if it detects alcohol on your breath. Depending on how many DUIs you have had in the past, your restricted license will limit your travels in the same way a limited license does, or you may have more free driving privileges – however, you will be able to drive only when using the vehicle with the interlock device installed in it.
If your original license was revoked because of a DUI, you have options. You can choose not to drive at all for the length of the revocation period. Alternatively, you can apply for a limited or restricted license if it is your first DUI or if it is your second DUI, but you received it more than 10 years following your first DUI.
After the revocation or cancellation is over
If it is your first DUI or if it is your second DUI but you received it more than 10 years following your first DUI, once the revocation period is over you can apply to have your full driving privileges reinstated. In all other DUI situations, if your original license was canceled you cannot have it reinstated again until the Commissioner of Public Safety receives proof that you have abstained from drinking alcohol. This proof is obtained from an ignition interlock device.
As you can see, a DUI does not necessarily mean you will lose your driver’s license entirely. A limited license or a restricted license can allow you to get to where you need to be to live your life as you normally do.
