Few things derail your life faster than a suspended drivers license. When your license gets suspended, there is a range of hurdles to get it back depending on your state.
You can speed up the process by being informed about local regulations. Here are 7 things you need to do right away to prepare if you have a suspended drivers license.
- Contact Your Employer
One of the most important things to protect when you find out you have a suspended drivers license is your job. Your employer might not need to know as quickly if you don’t rely on your car for work or if your company is on the bus line.
But if you’ve got a long or questionable commute to work, it’s time to get in the good graces of your employer. Make sure your boss knows right away about the situation along with your plan to replace your transportation options.
Never come to your employer with a problem, but no solution. The number one way to keep your job during this transition is to be resourceful.
If your job requires you to have a car, look for alternate work within the company you can do until your license gets reinstated. Give the employer a projected timeline of when you think you’ll have your license back.
Consult with an attorney if you have no idea how to make this prediction because of the situation.
- Hire an Attorney
While this might vary from person to person, it’s a good idea to at least consult with an attorney about your suspended drivers license. You don’t know what kind of impact the suspension has on things like your driving record which leads to other issues.
Talk to a suspended license attorney because they’ll be more likely to help that an attorney that focuses on other areas. Local governments have their own rules for what a driver needs to do to get reinstated.
The judge won’t take you as seriously without an attorney if you’re looking for a quick turnaround on reinstatement. Your attorney probably already knows the judge because he or she sees them every day in court with clients.
Don’t underestimate the power of this relationship as it can make or break your case. Some attorneys can cut your suspension time down or get rid of it entirely if you meet certain conditions.
They’ll know what to ask the judge for and what’s unreasonable.
- Coordinate With Your Spouse
The next thing you’ll need to do to keep your household running smoothly is to coordinate with your spouse or roommate for transportation. Dropping the ball on things like picking up the kids can put a strain on your relationship.
The same goes for asking your roommate for a ride. Establish a compromise that doesn’t put the other person completely in charge of fixing your lack of transportation.
Ask for help on specific days and make arrangements for the others. In a family environment, this might include getting your parents to pick up the kids on certain days.
It could also mean interviewing and hiring a babysitter to do pickup and drop off on the days you’re not able to. The possibilities are endless.
Just be sure to show initiative for fixing the mess so it doesn’t sour your personal relationships in the process.
- Take a Class
Defensive driving classes are a gift that keeps on giving. Even if they’re not required by your state for a suspended drivers license, you’ll look like a more responsible driver for doing it.
When it comes time to renew your insurance, having these classes on record can provide cost savings. Defensive driving classes are relatively low cost but mean you’re committed to having a clean driving record no matter what happened in your past.
- Pay Your Fees
Don’t start the reinstatement process until you’ve successfully paid off any fines related to your suspended driver’s license. These fees can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars depending on the offense.
These usually need to be paid ahead of your court date. If the reason your license is suspended is that you didn’t pay previous fees, get these paid immediately.
Consult with your attorney to figure out the best method of payment so there is no issue with getting the fees applied to your account before your next court date.
- Don’t Drive
This might go without saying, but a suspended drivers license isn’t a suggestion. You’re breaking the law if you get behind the wheel with a suspended drivers license.
If you’re caught, you could face jail time. You might already have a bench warrant for your arrest if you have past due fines.
The best way to avoid finding out is to avoid any potential contact with the police before your anticipated court date.
- File Reinstatement Paperwork
Once you’ve waited the allotted time, you’ll be able to file reinstatement paperwork. This might be shorter or the exact time quoted when your license was suspended.
Attorneys are great resources for shortening suspension terms. Make sure you complete all documents down to the letter so you don’t risk having your court date rescheduled.
How Do I Know if I Have a Suspended Drivers License?
A suspended drivers license is usually information you won’t learn until you call the DMV. Don’t overlook the suspension period thinking you can make the occasional drive nearby.
A short drive can leave you in jail if you’re pulled out and find out you have a bench warrant. Consult with an attorney to shorten the length of the suspension and get more details about the terms of your suspension.
