Suspended License

As many hoops as you have to jump through to get and retain a driver license in New York, losing your license is surprisingly easy. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can suspend your license for a variety of reasons, meaning it takes away your driving privilege for a period of time―after which you may have to pay a "suspension termination" fee to get it back.

Suspension is one step below revocation, where your driving privilege is cancelled altogether. If your license is revoked, you'll have to pay a relicensing fee and reapply for a new license once the revocation period expires.

How to Lose Your License

What does it take to get your license suspended? Usually this happens when you accumulate 11 points on your license within 18 months by repeatedly being caught driving badly.

Some offenses are so serious, however, that it takes only one transgression for a driver with an otherwise clean record to have their license suspended or revoked. Alcohol- and drug-related driving violations such as a DUI or DWI usually result in a suspension or revocation of six months to one year.

The same is true for speed contests, three speeding tickets within 18 months, three tickets within three years for passing a school bus, and leaving the scene of an accident with injuries or fatalities.

You may also have your license suspended for at least six months for refusing to submit to a chemical test to determine your blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

In New York, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or more unless you are under 21, in which case there is zero tolerance for alcohol in your blood. Using your New York driver license or photo ID card as proof of age to illegally buy alcohol can also result in the loss of your license.

Failing to insure a vehicle that you or another person are operating can result in a one-year revocation of your license. Nonpayment of traffic fines or ignoring a traffic summons is another cause to have your license suspended or revoked, as is being involved in a fatal traffic accident.

Even nontraffic-related issues can prompt the DMV to suspend your license, including submitting a bad check for DMV fees or failing to pay child support.

It's important to note that the DMV may suspend or revoke your license whether or not you are actually convicted of any crime or traffic violation. Even when there isn't enough evidence for the courts, the DMV may hold its own hearing and decide the circumstances warrant a suspension.

How to Get Your License Back

If you are arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the police officer may take your driver license from you on the spot. In other cases, the DMV will notify you by mail that it has taken action on your license and detail how long the suspension or revocation is valid. You will need to turn your actual license in to the DMV or the courts.

Restricted Licenses

In some cases the DMV may grant you a conditional or restricted license that allows you to drive to and from work; your letter from the DMV will indicate whether you are eligible for such a license.

If you're eligible for a conditional license following a first DUI offense, you will be required to participate in the state's Drinking Driver Program.

Suspension Termination

Once you have served your suspension period and you are eligible to get your license back, you may pay your suspension termination fees online in most cases.

Not all suspensions can be terminated online; read the FAQs to find out whether you are eligible, how much the fee will be (usually $25), what documents you will need, and more. Note that the suspension termination fee is in addition to any court fines or other penalties you paid.

Reapplication

A revoked license may not be reinstated; rather, when the revocation period is up, you must apply for a new license in person at a local DMV office and pay a $50 reapplication fee in addition to the normal licensing fees.