Illinois Driver’s License Revocations vs. Suspensions

 Posted on August 01, 2018 in Driver's License Reinstatement

Driving is a privilege - not a right. There is nothing in any law or constitution that says you must have the right to drive. Being able to legally drive is a privilege that can be easily taken away if you have violated certain rules or regulations. Two of the ways your driving privileges can be taken away in Illinois is through a driver’s license revocation or suspension. Both are very similar but differ in the length of time your privileges are gone.

Driver’s License Revocations

In certain situations, your driving privileges can be revoked, meaning they are withdrawn for an indefinite amount of time. The Illinois Secretary of State will revoke your driving privileges if you are a repeat traffic offender or if you were convicted of causing a crash that resulted in the death of another person. Other situations that could lead to a driver’s license revocation include:

• Aggravated DUI: An aggravated DUI can cause the loss of your driving privileges. You can be convicted of an aggravated DUI if you caused personal injury or death to another person because of a DUI, received three or more DUI convictions or committed a DUI without a current or valid driver’s license or insurance.
• Aggravated Reckless Driving: This occurs when you cause great bodily harm, permanent disfigurement or disability due to your driving.
• Vehicle Theft: If you steal a motor vehicle or parts of a motor vehicle, your driver’s license could be revoked.
• Reckless Homicide: This occurs when you operate a motor vehicle in a reckless fashion and cause the death of another person, or when you are involved in a crash that resulted in the death of another person while your license is suspended or revoked.

Driver’s License Suspensions

Much like driver’s license revocations, license suspensions result in the loss of your driving privileges. Unlike revocations, suspensions are usually only for a finite period of time. This means that you may get your driving privileges back after a specific period of time and you have paid any pertinent fines and reinstatement fees. Situations in which your license could be suspended include:

• Refusing or Failing A BAC Chemical Test: If you have a driver’s license, you have consented to chemical testing if you are suspected of a DUI. If you refuse testing, your license will automatically be suspended for one year. If you fail a chemical test, meaning your BAC is .08 or over, your license is suspended for six months.
• Failing to Pay Child Support: If you have fallen more than three months behind on child support payments, the Secretary of State or the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services can suspend your driver’s license until you have become current on your payments.
• Tollway Violations: If you fail to pay five or more tollway violations or evasions, your license will be suspended until you pay them.

Get Help From A Cook County Driver’s License Reinstatement Lawyer

Losing your driving privileges can be hard on you and your family. It can make simple daily tasks unnecessarily difficult and can even put a strain on your financial situation. If you are facing a driver’s license suspension or revocation, you could greatly benefit from the help of a skilled Arlington Heights driver’s license reinstatement attorney. Contact Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law to discover how you can get back in the driver’s seat. Call the office at 847-253-3400 to schedule a consultation.

Sources:

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a112.pdf

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/losepriv.html

https://www.dmv.org/il-illinois/suspended-license.php