What You Need to Know About California’s Driver’s License Suspension Laws
Driving with a suspended driver’s license can lead to serious consequences. Here’s everything you need to know about driving with a suspended license in California.
California considers driving with a suspended license a misdemeanor.
Laws Surrounding Driving with a Suspended License in CA
California’s VC 14601, states that driving with a suspended license in California can lead to imprisonment for a minimum of five days and a maximum amount of six months. First-time violators can also be subject to fines of up to $1,000.
What does it mean to have a driver’s license suspended?
The California Department of Motor Vehicles can take away one’s driver’s license. In this case, either the DMV or a California court strips the ability for drivers to operate a motor vehicle until the driver renews the license or the state revokes the suspension.
What are the main reasons why a driver’s license will be suspended?
1. No insurance
Driving without insurance can lead to a suspension if one is driving and they get into an accident. Without insurance, California will suspend a license for four years.
Related: How to Find Out if a Driver Has Car Insurance
2. Conviction of a DUI
California suspends licenses for six months upon first conviction of a DUI. If someone violates this law again, the state may suspend the license for four years.
3. Failure to report an accident
If one does not report an accident to the California DMV within ten days of the accident, this could suspend a driver’s license.
4. Underage drinking
Those convicted of underage drinking will have their license suspended for one year or until they turn eighteen, whichever comes later.
5. Failure to consent to a drug test
If one does not agree to undergo a drug or alcohol test, the state can revoke one’s license due to California’s implied consent laws.
6. Too many points on a driving record
If one has too many points on their driver’s license, the California DMV can take away their license. The driving record points add up when drivers continue to accumulate vehicular offenses.
7. Vandalism
If California finds someone vandalizing and violating property, it will suspend their driver’s license for one year.
Related: Hit By an Uninsured Driver in California? Here’s What to Do
8. Not appearing in court for a traffic ticket.
Failure to show up to a court date or pay a traffic ticket at the right time enables California to take away a driver’s license.
9. Not Paying Child Support
According to California Family, Code 17520, refusal to pay child support can lead to driver’s license suspension.
What are California’s implied consent laws?
California’s Vehicle Code states anyone who drives a motor vehicle has given “implicit consent” to test their blood or breath for Blood Alcohol Level (BAC) to determine whether they are below or above the legal driving limits.
The alcohol testing must take place after a lawful arrest. Simply being a driver in California means consenting to these specific laws, so they are classified as implied consent laws.
Can you earn a driver’s license back?
One can take steps to earn a driver’s license back after California suspends it. Renewal depends on how the state revokes the driver’s license.
Earning a Driver’s License Back After a DUI
To earn a driver’s license back after a first DUI offense, one must not drive for six months, which is the mandatory suspension period that the court assigns. Offenders must complete a DUI program before regaining their license to ensure they truly understand the rules of the road.
The programs can be shorter or longer depending on how high BAC is when convicted or if someone refused to consent to a test. Additionally, to get a license back, one may have to pay the $125.00 reissuance fee to the DMV.
Earning a Driver’s License Back if One has a Physical/Mental Condition
To get a driver’s license back after experiencing a physical or mental incident or disorder, drivers must provide a Driver Medical Evaluation and relevant information to prove the condition will not impair the driver’s ability to operate a vehicle.
Earning a Driver’s License Back Without Insurance
Driving without car insurance signifies the driver must complete a one-year suspension from driving. Additionally, they must pay the reissuance fee of $125.00 and file documents to demonstrate they are financially stable.
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