Like all other states, Ohio has strict DUI laws and implements harsh penalties for drivers who violate them. One thing that automatically happens upon an arrest is a driver’s license suspension. This is how you can reinstate your license after a DUI.
Consequences of a DUI license suspension
If your driver’s license is suspended after a driving under the influence arrest, you face numerous consequences. You will not be able to drive to and from work, drop off and pick up your kids from school or even travel to medical appointments or run routine errands. Instead, you’ll be at the mercy of public transportation or rideshare services. Not being able to drive places is not only inconvenient, but it could also result in losing your job or not being able to secure a new one.
Then, there are additional consequences in the form of criminal penalties. Depending on whether it’s your first offense, you refused a breath test, you had a child in the car with you or you injured or killed someone during your DUI, your license can be suspended for varying lengths of time. At the very least, it could last anywhere from six months to three years for a first-time conviction. If you have four or more prior DUI convictions, your license might be indefinitely suspended.
Reinstating your license
Regardless of the length of your license suspension, you’re responsible for certain things in order to reinstate it. You must provide proof of auto insurance coverage, pay a fee of $475, attend a mandatory driving course and in some cases, retake the driving skills test.
It’s only after you have met all of these requirements that the Bureau of Motor Vehicles will reinstate your driver’s license. Also, depending on the circumstances of your arrest, you might need an interlock ignition device installed on your vehicle after your license is reinstated.
The best way to keep your driver’s license is to avoid consuming alcohol or any substance that could render you intoxicated when you know you’ll be driving. Staying sober saves lives, including your own.