Suspended License

Reasons and Notification

In the District of Columbia, if you accumulate 10 or 11 points on your driver's license, it will be suspended for 90 days. Twelve or more points on your record, and your license will be revoked for six months. Criminal offenses such as reckless driving or DUI can result in revocation periods of six months, one year, or two years.

The Department of Motor Vehicles will send you an Order of Suspension or Order of Revocation through the mail. Your driving privileges are then withdrawn until they are officially reinstated.

Reinstating a Suspended License

It is important to note that driving with a suspended or revoked license can carry a penalty of up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.

To reinstate your license after it has been suspended, you must wait until the 90-day suspension period ends. If your license has been revoked, you will have to participate in a reinstatement hearing before you can get your license back.

You may schedule this hearing in person or through the mail. Visit a Driver Improvement Office to schedule a hearing in person. To schedule a hearing by regular mail, write to:

• DMV Driver Improvement Office

• P.O. Box 91980

• Washington, DC 20090

Whether your license was suspended or revoked, you will have to pay a $98 reinstatement fee to get it back and clear any stops on your record that might otherwise prevent you from registering a vehicle and other activities.

Other Causes for Suspension

In DC, there are several other other things that could cause your license to be suspended:

• Failure to pay child support.

• Unpaid traffic tickets uncontested after 30 days.

• Major moving violations involving either driving while intoxicated (DWI), driving under the influence (DUI), and reckless driving.

Appeals Process

If your license was revoked and you are not satisfied with the outcome of your reinstatement hearing, then you are free to appeal to the Traffic Adjudication Appeals Board. Your appeal must be filed within 15 days of the original decision.

Restricted Driving Privileges

If your license has been suspended, you may still be allowed to drive under certain conditions, such as to go to and from work or school. You'll need to request a hearing, however, through a DMV service location.

Check Your Driver's License Status

If you would like or need to check your driver's license status, you can order a driving record report. The report will indicate if your driver's license is currently valid. Should your license have been suspended or revoked, the report will indicate that according to the records at the DMV. It will also show points against your license and, if appropriate, information on any accidents you have had.