Suspended Driver’s License in Los Angeles
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can cancel or temporarily withdraw your driving privileges for any number of reasons. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Failure to appear for an infraction, misdemeanor, or felony
- Failure to pay a fine, complete community service, or any other obligations ordered by the court
- Failure to respond to a traffic summons
- Failure to file an accident report
- Failure to pay fines
- Being arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence and having a blood alcohol content (BAC) .08 or higher
- Accumulating too many points within a certain time period as a result of conviction of infractions (tickets) or other vehicle code violations
- Leaving the scene of an accident or injury
- Lack of insurance
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
Each of the above actions requires you to act immediately A timely request and hearing before the court with an attorney is your best chance to recover your driving privilege.
Often people plead guilty to a traffic citation and unknowingly jeopardize their driving privilege. The DMV is obligated to notify you if your license is suspended or revoked, but mail is not always dependable.
Driving on a suspended license is a criminal charge. Typical punishments and consequences include:
- Your car impounded for up to 30 days and sold
- $1000 in fines or more
- Jail time
- Posting bail (if arrested)
If you are convicted of driving on a suspended license, you could get up to six months in county jail and put on probation. If you are arrested and convicted a second time, the prior conviction could increase your punishment and penalties.
