california restricted driver's license after dui

california restricted license eligibility requirements

If you have been convicted of a first time DUI or drunk driving offense in San Diego County, and you held a non-commercial drivers license in good standing at the time of your arrest, you may be eligible for a restricted drivers license after the 30 mandatory license suspension period from the date of your arrest on DUI.

Restricted driving privileges are limited and permit you to drive to and from work, school, and attendance at mandatory DUI program classes only.

To be eligible, your drivers license must not be suspended or revoked for any other reason, and you must have complied with a chemical test at the time of your DUI arrest, in accordance with California's "implied consent" laws.

A DUI conviction in California is considered a first offense if you have not been charged with a separate, or prior DUI - DWI - Drunk Driving violation in the past ten years, counting from the date of a previous arrest to the date of your most recent DUI offense, referred to as a "washout period".

Any previously reduced charges stemming from a DUI arrest in the preceding ten years, including reduced charges such as wet reckless or reckless driving, vehicular manslaughter, refusal to submit a chemical test, or an above .01% BAC zero tolerance conviction falling within the washout period will disqualify your eligibility for a restricted drivers license.

To be granted restricted driving privileges by the San Diego DMV, you must first fulfill all the following eligibility requirements:

1. Be a non-commercial licensed driver in California ( offenders with commercial licenses must downgrade to a Class C License, please see below )

2. Show proof of enrollment in a DMV approved DUI program as directed by the court

3. File proof of financial responsibility ( vehicle liability insurance ) to the DMV, and

4. Pay a $125 Drivers License Reissue fee (or a $100 license reissue fee if you were under 21 years of age and charged under California's Zero Tolerance laws at the time of your arrest ).

california restricted commercial license eligibility requirements

If you held a California Commercial Drivers License in good standing at the time of your DUI arrest, you must downgrade to a Class C License.

If you were a commercially licensed driver operating a noncommercial vehicle while above the legal blood alcohol limit at the time of your DUI - DWI arrest, you could be eligible for a restricted license allowing you to drive to and from your place of employment AND attendance at your mandatory DUI classes.

If you were driving a commercial vehicle at the time you were cited, your restricted license eligibility will be limited to drive to and from your DUI treatment program ONLY.

To qualify for a noncommercial restricted driver license after a drunk driving conviction in California, you must:

1. Enroll in a DMV licensed and approved Driving Under the Influence ( DUI ) First Offender program, and notify the DUI school's administrator that you are applying for a restricted driver license.

2. The DUI Treatment provider will need to file a DL107 ( Proof of Enrollment Certificate in a licensed DUI First Offender Program ) with the California DMV on your behalf.

3. Maintain proper liability coverage and demonstrate financial responsibility by filing a California Proof of Insurance Certificate, or SR22, with the DMV OR making a cash deposit of $35,000, a self insurer certificate or a surety bond.

4. Pay a drivers license reissue fee of $125

5. Complete the mandatory 30-day suspension wait period from the date of your DUI arrest prior to applying for a Restricted Drivers License

Upon fulfilling the above criteria, if a restricted drivers license is issued to you, it will be valid for a period of five months.

NOTICE: Satisfactory enrollment AND attendance AND completion of the mandatory DUI school provision is a condition of restricted licensing. If you fail to meet the DUI Program's requirements you restricted license will be immediately revoked and the DMV will reimpose your license suspension.