A DUI Suspension Can Mess with Your Life

To most people, a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) charge does not match up to serious crimes like murder and robbery. While understandably so, the impacts of a DUI can equally mess with your life in unimaginable ways.

Nothing good ever came out of driving while under the influence. Possible fatal accidents, reckless road behavior, arrest, jail term, hefty fines, and license suspension are among the things you risk each time you drink and get behind the wheel.

DUI Suspension

A DUI suspension refers to the administrative revocation of your driving license. A drunk driver on the road is a danger to everyone and even property. A DUI suspension is imposed to keep other road users safe until it is ascertained that the driver has reformed. 

State laws differ on the specifics of DUI suspension but all agree on awarding this punishment if the following hold true:

• The driver’s blood alcohol levels surpassed the legal limit of 0.08%. This figure can be lower if you are younger than 21 years or driving boats or commercial vehicles.
• You refuse to take a sobriety test while the officer in charge has notified you that refusal to do so will result in a suspension.     

How Can a DUI Suspension Mess Your Life?

Lifestyle Changes

When you are used to the convenience of being able to drive yourself everywhere, losing your license becomes a huge blow. You now have to get a cab, the bus, or a friend to drive you from one place to another.

Troubles with Your Insurance Company

When your insurance company learns about your DUI license suspension, they might view you as a high-risk client and choose to raise your premium rates for a significantly long time.

In serious instances where drunk driving causes an accident, the insurer might decide to cancel your coverage altogether. 

Possible Loss of Employment

There are certain types of professions where a good reputation matters in obtaining and keeping clients. For instance, customers are less likely to trust a doctor or lawyer who they learn recently received a DUI suspension.

In addition, not being able to drive yourself to work might get you late. If you work in a time-stringent environment, your employer will not tolerate this behavior for long.

Missed Work Days

It goes without saying that a DUI suspension will require you to miss a few days of work. Time spent in the court and attorney offices can eat into your work schedule. This might translate to lost or decreased revenues.

Financial Loss

A DUI suspension comes with huge unforeseen expenditures. Court fees, fines, and attorney fees can easily mess with your finances. 

Lifestyle changes such as taking a bus or cab to work will also require you to spend a significant amount of money.

Problems with Future Job Applications

A DUI suspension stays on your record for a certain period of time depending on your state’s laws. This means that future employers can see this suspension when performing a background check on you.

While some jobs do not have a problem with this, an employer you have been waiting to hear from might disqualify you because of the suspension.    

What You Can Do

Upon receiving an administrative DUI suspension, you have only 10 days to take action that might make the situation favorable for you. 

You can either choose to appeal for a formal review hearing or waive the opportunity for this hearing, after which you are immediately allowed to drive for business purposes only. The latter is known as a hardship license. 

In the first option, the driver is given a temporary driver’s license valid for 42 days. The ruling then occurs within 30 days and if it favors you, the suspension is erased from your records and license reinstated. 

Recommended read: Navigating the Road to Recovery After a Drunk Driving Charge