After The DUI: What Driving Difficulties To Expect

Drunk driving happens all too frequently. Even if no one is injured by your actions, a DUI conviction has immense repercussions for your entire life. In addition to serious legal obligations such as fines or possible jail time, your driving life will be affected. You will need to make often difficult arrangements for getting your license back and insuring your vehicle. 

License

Most courts will either completely take away your driving rights or give you a restricted license. Even if the court does not pull your license, the DMV in your state may. In some cases, you will be able to convince the court to issue you a provisional or hardship license so that you can continue to work. However, you will generally be restricted to driving to and from work and other necessary travel. Your vacation and other travel plans may be adversely affected. In addition, you may have to participate in an educational program before you can regain even limited driving rights. You may have to wait for years before the state will grant your petition to get your full driving rights restored. 

Insurance

Before you will be allowed to drive again, you will have to show proof of liability insurance. Once you have a DUI on your record, some insurance companies may immediately revoke your coverage. The search for a company who will cover you may take some time because you will be considered a high-risk driver. Even if your company does not drop you, your rates will almost inevitably rise. You will also be required to obtain an SR-22 insurance certificate. This is a document that your insurance company will provide to the state that proves you are properly covered. You will have to have this certificate sent to the state for several years until you lose your "high risk" status. You will need to establish a clean driving record before you recover your excellent standing with the insurance industry.

A DUI can upend your life and make your family's life more difficult as well. Even after you've paid your fines or done time, you will have to deal with the loss of your license. In almost every instance, you will lose at least some of your driving privileges after a DUI conviction. Getting these rights back and finding the proper auto insurance are two of more serious problems that may result from your dangerous infraction.