WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SUSPENDED AND A REVOKED DRIVER’S LICENSE IN ILLINOIS?

Posted on July 15, 2014 by mdkeenan

Depending on the nature, severity and number of times you’ve been charged with DUI, the Secretary of State may suspend your license or revoke it.

Generally, your license is automatically suspended for a set period when you are charged with DUI. During that period you cannot drive. You do have an opportunity to petition the court to undo the suspension. Your chances of success improve if you quickly retain legal counsel to file the necessary motion. If you are suspended and you have not had any other incidents, you may simply send in the required fee at the end of your suspension, and your license will be reinstated.

A revocation is a much more serious and difficult affair. A DUI conviction will generally result in the revocation of your license. Note that in Illinois, many first time offenders may receive supervision on a first offense. Supervision is not a conviction, and thus does not result in revocation. However, if your first offense involved injury or other aggravating circumstances, you can be convicted and your license may still be revoked.

While suspension is for a set time period, revocation can be forever. To get your license back, you will have to jump through many hurdles. The Secretary of State requires that your record be otherwise clean, that you obtain a drug/alcohol evaluation and treatment, and that you appear at a hearing. You must also demonstrate that you are not a threat to public safety. The Secretary of State is generally inclined to deny an offender’s first attempt at reinstating their license.

An attorney can greatly assist you in your efforts to recover your license. If you have been revoked, an attorney can help present you and your case in your best possible light. Even with an attorney, you may need more than one try, but an attorney’s strategic assistance can improve your odds.

If you have questions about this or another related Illinois DUI, criminal or traffic matter, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.

(Besides Skokie, Matt Keenan also serves the communities of Arlington Heights, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Wilmette and Winnetka.)

About mdkeenan

A criminal and school law attorney with over 17 years of experience, I have successfully represented clients all over the Chicago area. My practice includes DUI, felony, criminal, misdemeanor, homicide, internet crime, retail theft, traffic offenses, cyberstalking, drug crimes, weapons violations, domestic battery and juvenile crime. I also represent families involving school cases. My clients come from all over the Chicago area including Skokie, Wilmette, Niles, Northbrook, Glenview, Evanston, Winnetka, Highland park, Northfield, Park Ridge, Des Plaines and Mount Prospect. I am a member of the ACLU and the Illinois State Bar Association. I serve as a volunteer for First Defense Legal Aid. Se habla espanol.
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