Driver’s License Reinstatement
Defense
Driver’s License Reinstatement
Questions about your case? Call John directly.
You can lose your driver's license for a variety of reasons, including drunk driving, too many traffic violations and failure to pay child support. The path to reinstating your license in Illinois often involves fees and formal court hearings, depending on how you lost your license in the first place. At Kopp Law, we often hear from people who have tried to go through the reinstatement process with the Office of the Secretary of State on their own, only to find they are not ready for the formal hearing. Many people have their petitions denied because they don't understand exactly how the reinstatement process works. We do. And we will make sure you are prepared for the formal hearing and all aspects of the process.
If your driver's license was revoked after a DUI, do you remember exactly how many drinks you had that night years ago? This is the type of detail you may be expected to recall exactly at your hearing — and these details can determine whether your petition fails or succeeds. Working with a lawyer can help you ensure that these details are consistent.
Attorney John Kopp knows the driver's license reinstatement process inside and out, and he can help you prepare for your hearing. Learn what questions you can expect to be asked and why.
Illinois requires people to attend a hearing before reinstating their driver's license. Depending on the reason for the suspension/revocation, you will have an informal or formal hearing.
Informal hearings cover one DUI offense or penalties for less serious moving violations, as long as there were no fatal accidents involved. You can get an informal hearing on a walk-in basis at many locations.
Formal hearings are for people who have more than one DUI offense or who have caused a death. Your formal hearing will be led by an officer, who will hear testimony and evidence. Witnesses may testify. You will receive a final decision within 90 days of your hearing.
To get your license back, you must, at a minimum, do the following:
You must have a current alcohol/drug evaluation before you can get a hearing. The levels of classification are:
You will need to have a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) installed on your vehicle after a DUI conviction. If this is your first DUI, you may get a Monitoring Device Driving Permit. If you have previous DUIs, you must install a BAIID on all of your vehicles.
A restricted driving permit may be possible if you meet the requirements and demonstrate that being without a driver's license causes significant hardship. You will receive a decision within 90 days of your hearing. The cost of reinstatement ranges from $70 to $500.
Before you petition the secretary of state to reinstate your license, give us a call at 630-448-9053 or contact us online for a consultation. You can meet our attorney at our Geneva office or at a meeting space in Chicago or the northern, western or southern suburbs.
Have your driving abstract or driving record available when you call us. We will review your record to find out all the reasons the Secretary of State suspended or revoked your license and help you decide whether you need an informal or formal hearing.
