Reasons for Suspension

In Alaska, a driver's license can be revoked or suspended for many reasons. All suspended or revoked driver's licenses must be returned to the DMV immediately.

Suspension of a license means that your driver's license is not valid for a prescribed length of time―the revocation of a license means that it is void, and you will have to reapply for a new license once fees have been paid and time penalty has expired.

Check Your Driver's License Status

If you should need or want to check the status of your driver's license, you can order a driving record report. The record will indicate if your driver's license is valid. Should your license have been suspended or revoked, the report will indicate that based on the records from the DMV. The report will also show points you have accumulated and, in some cases, information on any accidents you may have had.

How to Lose Your License

You can have your license suspended or revoked by accumulating too many points on your driving record. Furthermore, certain types of traffic offenses will trigger a suspension the first time you commit them.

Moving Violations

There are numerous moving violations that can result in the suspension or revocation of a driver's license including, but not limited to:

• DUI

• Refusing a breath test

• Reckless driving

• Not stopping to give aid after an injury accident

• Perjury or lying to the DMV

• Evading arrest by fleeing in a car

• Causing an injury or fatality while using a car to commit a felony

• A BAC of 0.08% or above in a person 21 or older

• Any alcohol in a person younger than 21

• A minor using a fake driver's license to buy alcohol

See page 12 of the Alaska Driver Manual for more details.

Driving Record Points

If you've had a number of moving violations in the past year, you be accumulating points against your driving record. If you accumulate enough points, your license will be suspended for a period of time and you will lose your driving privileges. The DMV will send you a letter to notify you of the suspension.

Once the suspension period has ended, you will be required to apply for a new license. You'll need to take the written knowledge test, the vision test, and, depending on circumstances, possibly even the driving test.

There is no hardship clause for a points accumulation suspension action. For reinstatement after a points accumulation suspension, please see our section on the Alaska DMV Point System.

Penalty Periods

Driver license revocations or suspensions can run anywhere from 90 days to forever, depending on your driving record, your number of previous DUI convictions, and the nature of the violations.

Reinstatement Fees

The Alaska DMV has a listing of the fees due for reinstatement of a suspended or revoked driver's license. The rates depend upon the number of suspensions and the type of moving violation convictions.

DUI Suspension & Revocations

License suspensions due to DUI issues are handled a bit differently. In some cases, a hardship waiver, which will allow you to drive to and from work and in an emergency can be granted. The length of the suspension or revocation period is based on the number of past DUI convictions. In DUI cases, it is always a good idea to retain an experienced DUI attorney to assist you with an administrative or court hearings.

DUI Hardship Limited License

In some cases, the DMV will grant a limited license to those who have been convicted of DUI. You are required to complete a form requesting the limited license. You may also be required to have your vehicle fitted with an ignition interlock device, which you must use each time you start the engine. This device will take a measure of the alcohol in your bloodstream. If any alcohol is detected, the vehicle will not start.

Here are links to the Request for Limited License forms from the DMV:

• First DUI offense limited license request form

• Multiple DUI offense limited license request form

The fee for processing a limited license request form is: $100.

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