Suspended License

Driver’s License Suspension for reasons other than a DUI:

In a case where you have had too many points on your DMV record, if you failed to carry insurance for your vehicle, if you were found to be at fault in a traffic accident that caused property damage or injury, or if you failed to pay child support, in Los Angeles, your driver’s license may be suspended or revoked by the Department of Motor Vehicles. If you continue to drive and you are convicted of driving on a suspended license, you face a 3-year probation, 5 days to six months in jail and up to $1000 in fines. See, Vehicle Code 14601.1.

California Vehicle Code 14601.1

No person shall drive a motor vehicle when his or her driving privilege is suspended or revoked for any reason other than those listed in Section 14601, 14601.2, or 14601.5, if the person so driving has knowledge of the suspension or revocation. Knowledge shall be conclusively presumed if mailed notice has been given by the department to the person pursuant to Section 13106. The presumption established by this subdivision is a presumption affecting the burden of proof.

Any person convicted under this section shall be punished as follows:

(1) Upon a first conviction, by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months or by a fine of not less than three hundred dollars ($300) or more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.

(2) If the offense occurred within five years of a prior offense which resulted in a conviction of a violation of this section or Section 14601, 14601.2, or 14601.5, by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than five days or more than one year and by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) or more than two thousand dollars ($2,000).

Driver’s License Suspension for DUI:

In a case where you have you been arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles, your driver’s license may be suspended or revoked by the Department of Motor Vehicles (MDV). If you failed to submit to a chemical test at the time of your arrest for the law enforcement officers to determine your blood alcohol concentration, you may face longer license suspension periods.

At the time of your DUI arrest and after you are booked, your current license will be confiscated and you will be given a pink sheet entitled Notice of Suspension which acts as a temporary driver’s license for 30 days. (Obviously, this is only true if you had a valid license to begin with).It is important that you read this form thoroughly. This form advises you to contact the DMV and request an administrative per se hearing within 10 days of your arrest or your license could be suspended for 180 days or longer periods. For more information on DL suspension periods,

If you driver and get stopped for this violation for the first time, you face a 3-year probation, 10 days to six months in jail and up to $1000 in fines. You will also be ordered to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle. Within 5 years of your DUI conviction, if you continue to drive while your license is suspended for DUI, you could get up to one year in county jail and be fined for an amount up to $2000. See, Vehicle Code 14601.2.

California Vehicle Code 14601.2

(a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle at any time when that person’s driving privilege is suspended or revoked for a conviction of a violation of Section 23152 or 23153 if the person so driving has knowledge of the suspension or revocation.

Driver’s License Suspension for Habitual Traffic Offenders:

You could be designated as a habitual traffic offender if you continue to drive on a suspended driver’s license and within a year you are convicted of 2 or more driving violations and accumulate 3-4 points on your driver’s license. See, Vehicle Code 14601.3.

California Vehicle Code 14601.3

(a) It is unlawful for a person whose driving privilege has been suspended or revoked to accumulate a driving record history which results from driving during the period of suspension or revocation. A person who violates this subdivision is designated a habitual traffic offender. For purposes of this section, a driving record history means any of the following, if the driving occurred during any period of suspension or revocation:

Driver’s License Suspension for DUI with injuries:

If you get arrested for a DUI with injuries or if the DUI caused death of a victim, per Vehicle Code 23153, your driver’s license will be suspended for much longer periods or it may be revoked.

Here, you will be designated as a habitual traffic offender (HTO) for a period of three years, and your license will be revoked for 5 years. But if you install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle, you may keep your privilege to drive. See, Vehicle Code 14601.5.

California Vehicle Code 14601.5

(a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle at any time when that person’s driving privilege is suspended or revoked pursuant to Section 13353, 13353.1, or 13353.2 and that person has knowledge of the suspension or revocation.

(d) A person convicted of a violation of this section is punishable, as follows:

(1) Upon a first conviction, by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months or by a fine of not less than three hundred dollars ($300) or more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.

(2) If the offense occurred within five years of a prior offense that resulted in a conviction for a violation of this section or Section 14601, 14601.1, 14601.2, or 14601.3, by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 10 days or more than one year, and by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) or more than two thousand dollars ($2,000).