DMV Hearings in Los Angeles County
DMV hearings usually need to be requested within a limited time after the DMV mails notification of an action they intend to take against your license.
It is imperative that you contact an attorney as soon as possible after you receive notice from the California DMV.
When you receive a notice from DMV that an action will be taken against your driving privilege, a hearing must be requested immediately. You have 10 days to request the hearing if you were given your notice of action in person, and 14 days if the notice was mailed to you. You may lose your right to a hearing if the appropriate DMV Driver Safety Office is not contacted to request a hearing within the set period.
The hearing will be at the DMV Driver Safety Office closest to your residence. The hearing will be tape recorded so the DMV hearing officer can analyze and weigh the facts of your case and make a decision regarding your driving privilege. The possible decisions the DMV hearing officer can make include:
- End or dismiss the action allowing you to drive again
- Restrict your driver license or place you on probation so you can continue driving, but on a limited basis, such as no night time driving
- Uphold the original decision to suspend or revoke your driving privilege
Some of your legal rights include:
- You may be represented by an attorney at your own expense
- You can testify on your own behalf
- Your attorney can review DMV's evidence and cross-examine any witness offered by the DMV
- Your attorney can present evidence and relevant witnesses on your behalf, such as copies of medical evaluations, vision examinations, accident reports, or photographs
- Your attorney can appeal any adverse decision through a departmental review or through Superior Court
