The DUI/DWI process is an unfortunate one that affects over 1 million Americans a year.

That number only marks 1% of the total self-reported episodes of driving while intoxicated—or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These numbers contribute to other significant ones, such as the $44 billion cost per year of alcohol-related crashes.

Upon getting pulled over for driving while intoxicated, some individuals may fail a test, and others may choose not to submit to a chemical test at all. Both actions almost necessarily result in an ALR, or administrative license revocation. This consequence is comparable to a license suspension.

If you or a loved one have recently been charged with a DWI, this article can help you navigate what’s to follow regarding your license and driving privilege. Please keep reading for valuable insight into the ALR program and what it entails.

First, an Understanding: What Is Administrative License Revocation?

ALR, sometimes called administrative license suspension (ALS), is the process in which a driver’s license is suspended due to a DUI or DWI charge.

That driver either a) took a BAC test and failed, or b) refused to submit to a chemical test. If either situation occurs, the driver’s license is suspended until the driver takes further action. As they await a criminal trial, ALR laws ensure that the license will be taken away swiftly and without delay.

To guarantee transparency, ALR laws are based on objective—not subjective—chemical tests. These tests can be done with blood or urine but are typically based on breath. Arresting officers will take away the offender’s license at the time of the offense, and they may be issued a temporary permit.

Those who take the breath test and fail face a “hard” suspension time based on their state’s laws. The state will take driving privileges away until the matter is resolved and only given back in limited circumstances or a specific amount of suspension time has passed. Suspension periods generally look as follows:

First offense: 30-day suspension followed by 60 days of restrictions

Repeat offenders: One-year suspension

Once an order is in place, there are no exceptions—earning the name “hard” suspension.

Despite its negative consequences at the time, ALR isn’t proven to have adverse effects on the offender’s job or income. However, the ALR process is one that the offending driver has to pay for, and financing needs to be considered. Some states also have increased reinstatement fees for drivers who’ve lost licenses due to DUI.

Forty states and the District of Colombia have ALR programs. Each state may have different rules and regulations, so offenders must work with an experienced DWI lawyer to understand their state’s policies.

What Does License Suspension Entail, Exactly?

Most drivers have a general understanding of what license suspension means, but if something happens to you or a loved one, you’ll want to know the specifics.

Often, license suspension is a result of alcohol- or drug-related offenses while driving. However, drivers can also get licenses suspended for failing to pay traffic tickets, accumulating points on their licenses, or driving recklessly.

In many cases, license suspension is definite, meaning that suspension ends once the suspension period is up. As mentioned above, that can be anywhere from thirty days to a year, depending on various factors like location or number of offenses. Sometimes, though, license suspension can be indefinite, meaning it will be suspended without pause until the driver takes action.

In essence, a license suspension means a driver’s license is temporarily out of service. In severe cases, suspension can turn into revocation, which means the license has been fully canceled and can never be reinstated. Getting a license back after cancellation is a tedious task that requires DMV approval, entire payment of fines or civil penalties, and completion of a state licensing process.

If your license has been suspended, do not drive under any circumstances, whether your vehicle or another’s. Doing so could result in insurance penalties, legal action, or both.

If Eligible, Request an ALR Hearing (Within 15 Days)

If a driver gets a DWI, the best thing they can do moving forward is to focus on what they can control. In this case, that’s requesting to get an administrative license revocation hearing.

Drunk driving arrests generally have two forms of legal proceedings—a criminal case, where one might have a criminal trial, and an administrative one, where they’ll lose their license to suspension.

However, within fifteen days of a DWI arrest, the offender can request an ALR hearing and appeal their suspension. This two-week time period is firm, and anyone who appeals their suspension after the fifteen days will get denied. Within that time frame, an offender can file an appeal and wait to hear back from the Department of Public Safety (or a similar entity) about the time and date of their hearing.

ALR hearings involve the offender’s attorney and the arresting officer. If the arresting officer fails to attend after an official subpoena has been provided, the defendant has a chance of getting their license back. If the arresting officer does attend, that means the defendant’s attorney has the opportunity to question them—which may or may not prove helpful for their case.

Often, the offender doesn’t have to attend an ALR hearing if they have a lawyer who would represent them. If they choose not to or can’t afford to have an attorney, the process is still doable but admittedly more challenging. It’s wise to enlist legal help if possible.

What Happens to Insurance With a Suspended License?

In short, a driver with a suspended license can still have auto insurance. Some drivers may want to keep their insurance policy in place, knowing that eventually, their suspension will end. However, it’s worth mentioning that the process is more costly and can also be more challenging.

Insurance providers may cancel policies upon learning of one of their drivers’ license suspensions. Some providers may keep drivers on their policies but at steeper rates.

One way to keep auto insurance during a suspension period is to join policies with another insured driver, such as a family member. If the offender has other people on their insurance policy, they may make them the primary drivers on the policy. Another option is to look for providers that offer comprehensive auto insurance for stored and/or not-driven cars.

Finally, some drivers might get a suspension that allows for certain privileges, and/or they’ve finished their suspension and are driving with restrictions. In both of these situations, having no coverage gaps makes it easier and quicker to get back to driving.

Of course, having insurance during and after suspension does come with its higher price tag. Insurance rates can increase by over 67% if a driver is caught driving while suspended. That’s not including the fact that DUIs and refusing to perform a chemical test are two of the topmost expensive driving citations.

One last thing to consider: any higher insurance rates a driver incurs may last up to three years, having a long-lasting financial impact. Drivers with suspended licenses should keep this in mind if they’re ever tempted to drive while undergoing ALR.

How to Reinstate a License After the ALR Period

Again, the process can vary by state.

In general, though, drivers will first have to finish their suspension period, whatever it may be. Many states require offenders to take a defensive driving class; even if your state doesn’t, taking one might be a good idea as it can help lower insurance rates.

Next, the driver will obviously want to be insured before getting back on the road. Often, insurance providers require higher-risk drivers to obtain an SR-22 filing, which covers vehicle liability endorsement. No driver should resume driving after a suspension without first having insurance.

Finally, anyone ending their suspension period will want to ensure their license is reinstated before driving again. Confirm that the process is completed and the license is legally reinstated. If a driver is unsure, they can reach out to their local Department of Motor Vehicles to confirm reinstatement.

The Administrative License Revocation Process, Explained

License suspensions are not easy for anyone involved, but being equipped with knowledge makes it easier.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI, it’s imperative to know everything about the ALR process. That information may result in getting a license back sooner than later or avoiding harsher restrictions. It may even result in an administrative license revocation hearing that grants the driver back their license.

In either case, having an experienced attorney can help alleviate some of the stress, confusion, and difficulty that comes with navigating the DWI situation. It can be a challenging thing to handle alone.

Good luck, and please keep reading our website to see how else we help our readers become more informed individuals.