Legal Help For Driver’s License Suspension
A driver’s license suspension removes your legal privilege to drive in Ohio, either temporarily or indefinitely, until you satisfy specific reinstatement requirements set by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or the court. Understanding why your license was suspended and what steps you must take to restore it is critical to getting back on the road legally.
I am attorney Robert Calesaric, and I have over 30 years of experience handling license suspension cases in Licking County. My six years as a prosecutor gave me insider knowledge of how the state suspends licenses and what the BMV requires for reinstatement. At Calesaric Law, I work with the BMV regularly to cure violations and restore driving privileges quickly and efficiently.
Common Reasons For License Suspension
In Ohio, your regular or commercial driver’s license (CDL) can be suspended for a variety of reasons:
- Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OVI)
- Driving without insurance (financial responsibility suspension)
- Traffic citation points on driver’s license
- Not paying child support
- Not paying a judgment against you
No matter why your driver’s license has been suspended, it is important to get a lawyer’s help and have your license reinstated as soon as you are eligible. If you are arrested for driving with a suspended license, you risk going to jail for a long time.
Types Of Driver’s License Suspensions In Ohio
Ohio law recognizes multiple categories of license suspensions, each with different procedures, durations and reinstatement requirements. Understanding your specific suspension type is critical to restoring your driving privileges.
Administrative vs. Court-Ordered Suspensions
Administrative suspensions are imposed directly by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles without court involvement. These include suspensions for accumulating too many points, failing to maintain insurance, refusing chemical testing or failing to pay child support. The BMV acts based on reports it receives from courts, law enforcement and other agencies.
Court-ordered suspensions result from criminal convictions or civil judgments. Judges impose these suspensions as part of sentencing for OVI, driving under suspension, vehicular homicide and other offenses. Court-ordered suspensions require the judge’s approval before reinstatement, even after the suspension period ends.
Class-Specific Suspensions (CDL vs. Regular License)
Commercial driver’s license holders face harsher suspension rules than regular license holders. A first OVI offense results in a one-year CDL disqualification even if you were driving your personal vehicle. Certain violations, such as leaving the scene of an accident or using a vehicle to commit a felony, result in lifetime CDL disqualification.
Regular license suspensions for the same offenses carry shorter periods. Understanding whether your CDL or regular license is at risk affects how I approach your defense and reinstatement strategy.
Definite vs. Indefinite Suspensions
Definite suspensions have fixed end dates. For example, a six-month suspension for accumulating 12 points ends automatically after six months, though you must still pay reinstatement fees.
Indefinite suspensions have no automatic end date. These suspensions remain in effect until you satisfy certain conditions, such as paying past-due child support, completing a driver intervention program or providing proof of insurance. You cannot simply wait out an indefinite suspension.
The Difference Between Suspension and Cancellation
Suspension temporarily removes your driving privileges. After the suspension period ends and you meet reinstatement requirements, your license can be restored.
Cancellation terminates your license completely. You must reapply for a license as if you were a first-time driver, including retaking written and driving tests. Cancellations typically result from fraud in obtaining a license or multiple serious violations.
OVI-Related License Suspensions
When you are arrested for OVI, the officer typically confiscates your license and issues an Administrative License Suspension (ALS). This administrative suspension begins immediately and lasts from 90 days to three years, depending on whether you refused testing or failed a chemical test and whether you have prior OVI offenses.
The ALS is separate from any court-imposed suspension. If you are convicted of OVI in court, the judge will impose an additional suspension ranging from six months to 10 years. These suspensions can run concurrently, but understanding how they interact is critical to minimizing your time without a license.
Common Questions About License Suspensions
People facing license suspensions have urgent questions about how long they will be without a license and what options exist for reinstatement. These are concerns I address regularly.
How long does a license suspension last in Ohio?
Suspension length depends on the type and your prior record. Point suspensions range from six months to three years. OVI administrative suspensions range from 90 days to three years depending on test refusal and prior offenses. Court-imposed OVI suspensions range from six months to lifetime. Financial responsibility suspensions last indefinitely until you provide proof of insurance. Child support suspensions continue until you pay arrears or establish a payment plan. I review your specific situation to determine your suspension length and earliest possible reinstatement date.
How does a suspended license affect my OVI/DUI case?
Your license suspension and criminal OVI case are separate proceedings, though they overlap. You can challenge the administrative suspension within 30 days while also fighting the criminal charges. Winning your administrative hearing does not dismiss the criminal case, and a criminal OVI conviction results in an additional court-imposed suspension. However, my strategic approach to both proceedings maximizes your chances of getting your license back quickly while defending against the criminal charges.
Can a lawyer get my suspended license reinstated faster?
Yes. I know the specific BMV requirements for each suspension type and handle the paperwork efficiently. For administrative suspensions, I file for administrative hearings within the 30-day window. For court-ordered suspensions, I petition for limited driving privileges as soon as you are eligible. I also identify situations where suspensions were imposed incorrectly and file motions to terminate them. My regular work with the BMV means I can resolve issues faster than someone unfamiliar with the process.
Free Consultation About Your License Suspension
Contact me, attorney Robert Calesaric, for a consultation about your driver’s license suspension case. From my office in Newark, I serve clients throughout central Ohio, including Columbus. Call 740-334-4256.