Suspended License

Your Driver's License Status

If you should need or want to check your driver's license status, you can order a driving record report. This report will spell out if your driver's license is currently valid. If your license has been suspended or revoked, it will indicate that according to the OMV's records. Points against your license will be listed and, in some cases, any accidents you have had.

Reasons for Suspension

Driver's license suspension can hit you if you accumulate too many administrative points on your driver's license. You might also face suspension if you are involved in a serious accident or if you arrested for DUI.

Administrative Hearing

A hearing is automatically scheduled when you have fallen subject to the suspension process. The outcome of the hearing depends on the hearing officer's decision, your driving record, and the nature of your proposed suspension.

If you are arrested for DUI a first or subsequent time, then you might consider hiring an attorney. Some drivers don't show up for the hearing and are automatically suspended.

The hearing officer will usually select one of four options:

• No action

• Probation

• Restriction

• Suspension

You might be put on restriction if you have several traffic violations relating to a particular situation like night driving or driving in rush hour traffic. Probation is used when the hearing officer believes you need a warning before proceeding to a more severe penalty.

Hardship License

Under some circumstances, you may be granted limited driving privileges while your license is under suspension. For example, you might be allowed to drive to and from work or school. Call the driver suspension line at (501) 682-1631 for more information on this matter.

Reinstatement

The court will decide when you can apply for reinstatement of your driver's license―any number of days or months. You can expect to spend money on special liability insurance, fines, lawyers, and reinstatement fees.

Avoiding Suspension

Refresh your driver skills with a quick read-through of the driver handbook. Fine-tuning your driving skills will help you avoid traffic violations. Take a driver improvement course or other driver education program to enhance your driving skills.

It is much easier to avoid a suspension than to deal with reinstatement. The consequences of license suspension are serious. Stay alert, drive defensively, follow the rules, keep in good health, and remain safe.