Suspended License

The Basics

There are a number of ways to temporarily lose the privilege to drive in Wisconsin, and a number of ways to regain your privileges. In some cases, if you have been convicted of an infraction that requires a temporary loss of driving privileges, you may apply for a limited license to drive to and from home and work or to and from home and school.

Check Your Driver's License Status

Whenever you need or want to check the status of your driver’s license, you can order a driving record report. This record will spell out if your driver’s license is currently valid. Should your license have been revoked or suspended, the report will indicate that according to what’s on record at the DOT. This report will also show points against your license and, in some cases, information on any accidents you have had.

Suspension or Revocation

Both of these terms are used when referencing the loss of driving privileges, but not many people understand the difference between the terms. Some think they are interchangeable, while others believe that the term "revocation" denotes a permanent loss of driving privileges, and that suspension means a temporary loss.

However, neither instance is the case. Here are the definitions of these two terms:

• Suspension: means the loss of driving privileges for a period of less than one calendar year.

• Revocation: means the loss of driving privileges for a period of more than one calendar year.

Ways to Lose Your Driver's License

There are a number of ways that a license can be suspended or revoked, including Operating While Intoxicated, also referred to as OWI. Leaving the scene of an accident is another way to lose your licenses temporarily, as is the refusal of a breath test requested by a police officer if you are stopped for suspicion of DWI.

Some Seemingly Small Issues, Too

Failing to notify the DMV of an accident in which you were involved can also cause the suspension of a driver's license, and the failure to settle a financial judgment for damages with another party if the damages were related to a motor vehicle accident can be grounds for a license suspension.

Giving false information to the DMV, using someone else's driver's license, or letting another person use your driver's license are also grounds for the suspension or revocation of a driver's license in Wisconsin.

Driving Record Points

An excessive number of points on your driving record can cause the temporary loss of driving privileges, as can the repetition of certain types of driving infractions, such as the commission of a felony using a vehicle or if you cause the death of another person in an automobile accident.

If you've had multiple moving violations over the past year, you are accumulating points on your driving record. When the points level gets to 12 in one year, your license will be suspended for a period of time, depending on the total points and other circumstances.

Occupational License

If your driver's license has been suspended, depending on the circumstances, you may be eligible for an occupational license. In most cases, there is a waiting time of between 30 and 120 days before you will be permitted to apply for an occupational license.

You can check your eligibility status on line to see if you have become eligible for application. If you have, then the next step is to complete the Application for Occupational Operator License for an occupational license. Print the application using the free Adobe Reader and take it in person to your local DMV service center, along with $40 for the occupational license fee.

Reinstatement of Your License

In order to begin the process to get your driver's license reinstated after a suspension or revocation, prepare a letter with the following information:

• Your full name

• Date of birth

• Wisconsin driver license number

• Social Security number

• Current address

• Check for $50

Send it to:

• Wisconsin Department of Transportation

• Driver Information Section

• 4802 Sheboygan Ave., Room 301

• P.O. Box 7983

• Madison, WI 53707-7983

If your suspension was related to the safety responsibility or damage judgment laws, you will be required to show proof of insurance.

If your driver's license is still in your possession, you may call (608) 264-7133 to confirm that the DMV has received your $50 and the above information. If they have, you are legally allowed to drive.

If you do not have your driver's license in your possession, you will need to go in person to your local DMV service center and be prepared to do the following:

• Complete the Driver License Application for renewal.

• Show one piece of ID with both a photograph and your signature.

• Pay the $50 reinstatement fee, plus the $4 fee for a duplicate or, if the license expired while it was suspended or revoked, the $24 fee for a renewal.

• File the SR22 Proof of Insurance if it is required.

• Bring a parent or legal guardian to sign as your sponsor if you are under 18.