What Should I Expect During My Driver’s License Reinstatement Hearing?

 Posted on October 15, 2020 in Driver's License Reinstatement

The Illinois Secretary of State is authorized to suspend or revoke a person’s driver’s license as punishment for several different offenses. You may have lost your license after you were arrested or convicted for driving under the influence (DUI), leaving the scene of an accident, street racing, or for many other reasons. Continuing to drive after your license has been suspended or on a revoked license is a criminal offense in Illinois. In order to regain your driving privileges after a license suspension or revocation, you may need to attend an informal or formal Secretary of State hearing.

Informal Hearings

If you lost your license after a first-time DUI, a lesser moving violation, or an offense not involving a fatality, you may only need to attend an informal hearing. Informal hearings are conducted on a walk-in basis, so no appointment is necessary. You will meet with a Secretary of State hearing officer at a Driver Services facility. The hearing office will likely ask you questions about:

• Your driving record and criminal history

• The circumstances that led to the suspension or revocation

• The reasons you are requesting driver’s license reinstatement

• How you will avoid driving under the influence or otherwise violating Illinois law in the future

You may need to provide evidence of any drug and alcohol programs you have attended, character references, and other information. The hearing officer will use this evidence and your statements to make a recommendation to the Secretary of State about restoring your driving privileges. A license reinstatement attorney can help you prepare for your informal hearing or even attend the hearing with you.  

Formal Hearings

If your license was revoked because of a second or subsequent DUI or a traffic offense resulting in death, you will need to attend a formal hearing. Formal hearings are similar to court trials and must be scheduled in advance. They take place at one of four Secretary of State facilities in Illinois. A hearing officer as well as an attorney for the Secretary of State will attend the hearing. You will be placed under oath and asked a series of questions about the circumstances of your license revocation, your drug and alcohol use, and what you have done to avoid unsafe driving in the future. You will need to demonstrate that you have met the conditions of license reinstatement and will not re-offend. Depending on your risk classification, you may need to complete a DUI Risk Education Course, participate in an Early Intervention Program, and/or attend a substance abuse treatment program in order to qualify for license reinstatement. Your attorney can help you understand the steps you must take to qualify for license reinstatement and represent you throughout the license reinstatement process.

Contact a Plainfield, IL Driver’s License Reinstatement Attorney

Losing your driver’s license can make it difficult to get to and from work, transport children, or complete everyday responsibilities. For help reinstating your license, contact The Law Offices of Tedone & Morton, P.C. We will assist you during the informal or formal hearing process. Schedule a free consultation with our accomplished Will County criminal defense lawyers by calling us today at 815-733-5350.

Source:
https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dah_ih22.pdf