Getting Your Driving Privileges Reinstated After A North Carolina DWI Conviction
As a general rule, a DWI conviction will result in your license being suspended. For DWI levels 3, 4 and 5, that period is usually a year, and you will be eligible for reinstatement at the end of the year as long as you have completed your DWI assessment, recommended treatment and paid off your court costs. For levels A1, 1 and 2, the period of suspension is longer. There is an extra condition of having an ignition interlock device (IID) installed in your car for a period of time if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .15% or greater.
When you hire Aberle & Connolly, PLLC, our attorneys will work tirelessly to help you contest your DWI charges and maintain licensure whenever possible. If conviction and license suspension cannot be avoided, however, they will help you understand exactly what you need to do to get your license reinstated. Our firm is focused on helping you address all aspects of your criminal charges, including the impacts that a conviction will have on your daily life. A DWI case typically involves collateral consequences like a loss of license, which could interfere with your ability to get to work or to take care of your family.
Three Options For Regaining Limited Driving Privileges
For less serious DWI convictions, you may qualify for a “limited privilege to drive” that will allow you to drive legally for school, worship, work and regular household maintenance at specified hours during some or all of the time that your license is suspended. There are three types of limited privileges to drive after a DWI conviction:
General Limited Privilege To Drive
If your DWI level was 3, 4 or 5, your BAC was below .15%, and your license isn’t suspended for any other reason than the DWI conviction, you will likely qualify for a limited privilege to drive the same day that you are found guilty.
Requirements: You will need to complete your DWI assessment, have a valid DL-123 insurance form, pay a $100 fee and have a copy of a work or school schedule if you want nonstandard hours. Standard hours are 6 a.m. to 8 pm. from Monday to Friday.
Ignition Interlock Device Privilege
If your DWI level was 3, 4 or 5, your blood alcohol content was .15% or greater, and your license isn’t suspended for any other reason than the DWI conviction, you will likely qualify for an ignition interlock limited privilege 45 days after the day that you are found guilty. An ignition interlock device is essentially a breathalyzer attached to your vehicle. It will not allow the vehicle to start unless you pass a breathalyzer test. Subsequent tests may also be ordered at certain points throughout your driving journey.
Requirements: You will need to complete your DWI assessment, have a valid DL-123 insurance form, pay a $100 fee, provide a copy of your lease showing the installation of an ignition interlock device in your car and have a copy of a work or school schedule if you want nonstandard hours. Standard hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
Refusal Privilege
If your DWI level was 3, 4 or 5, you refused a chemical analysis test, and your license isn’t suspended for any other reason than the DWI conviction, you will likely qualify for a refusal limited privilege six months after the date of the refusal suspension.
Requirements: You will need to wait six months from the date the DMV suspends your license for refusing a chemical test (this can occur before your case is complete), complete your DWI assessment and recommended treatment, have a valid DL-123 insurance form, have your case resolved in court, pay a $100 fee and have a copy of a work or school schedule if you want nonstandard hours. Standard hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
Learn About Your License Restoration Options During A Free Initial Consultation
Our attorneys at Aberle & Connolly, PLLC, are known and respected throughout the Guilford County legal community. They provide skilled, professional representation and have earned a reputation for client service and favorable results. To learn more about how our firm can help you, please contact our Greensboro, North Carolina, office to schedule a free initial consultation. You can reach out online or call 336-900-5452.