If your commercial driver’s license has been suspended, you might be wondering when and how you might get your license back. With a CDL suspension, your driving privileges are entirely revoked, and you cannot drive under any circumstances – not any other commercial vehicles or your personal vehicle. There are steps to take, however, to work towards getting your license back after suspension. Read more to find out how to reinstate your license or appeal for limited driving privileges in the meantime.
Suspension Termination Fees
Suspension may involve a number of fines and fees. Suspension termination has its own fee as well. Generally speaking, the fee is $70 per suspension, but it is capped at $400 per court. If you have a definite suspension, paying the termination fee will ensure that your new license will be mailed to you after the end date of your suspension.
You have two options for paying your suspension termination fee:
- DMV office. Your suspension notice will instruct you on your office(s) location(s).
- By mail. In some cases, your notice may indicate you can pay by mail. This is the fastest payment option, and all you will need is: your name or Client ID Number, date of birth and gender, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
When Can I Get My License Back?
If you pay the termination fee before the end date of your suspension, your new license will be mailed to you no later than three days after the suspension date. However, your license will not be mailed in any of the following scenarios:
- The license has expired;
- The license is a CDL;
- The license is a restricted or conditional license;
- There is another suspension or revocation on the license.
Conditional and Restricted Licenses
If your CDL was suspended for alcohol- or drug-related offenses, you may be eligible for a conditional license. This can be used to drive to and from pre-authorized locations but cannot be used to drive a commercial vehicle. Drivers with an alcohol-related conviction from the past five years are not eligible.
On the other hand, if your CDL was suspended for another reason, you may be eligible for a restricted license. This is only available to those who have never previously had their license suspended. However, if there are actions you can take to lift the suspension (e.g. paying a past-due traffic ticket), you cannot receive a restricted license. Note that whether or not the restricted license will allow you to operate a commercial vehicle will be up to the judge, who decides based on the circumstances of your case.
Note that New York does not allow any such restricted or conditional driving privileges regarding the ability to drive a commercial vehicle. A CDL holder will still be eligible for restrictions such as driving to and from school or work in regards to driving a personal vehicle, but once charged with or convicted of a DWI-related offense, you will not have privileges to drive any commercial vehicle until the resolution of your case and the end of the imposed sentence.
If your CDL has been suspended, you can get your license back, but this depends on if you’ve received a definite suspension and the circumstances surrounding your conviction in the first place. The most straightforward way to reinstate your license is to wait out the suspension period and pay the termination fee so you can receive your license after the end of your suspension. An experienced traffic lawyer can help you with this process, as well as argue for a conditional or restricted license if you seek limited driving privileges during your suspension.
For more information, contact us at Martin A. Kron & Associates, P.C. before settling your case.