No one wants to end up with their license suspended or revoked or require an SR-22, but it happens. Either you were convicted of a single serious driving-related offense or a series of smaller offenses added up, and now you can’t legally drive for a certain period of time.
But what is the difference between having your license revoked and having it suspended, and what does it mean for your future as a driver? In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about having your license revoked or suspended, including the difference between the two, causes and effects of SR-22s, definite versus indefinite suspensions, and what you can do to get your driving privileges reinstated after a suspension or revocation.
But first, what’s the difference between having your license revoked versus suspended?
Revoked License vs. Suspended License
When your license is suspended, it means that your driver’s license is no longer active and you cannot legally drive your vehicle or anyone else’s. However, you do not lose your license and you may continue to use the same license once the terms of your suspension have been met and the license is reinstated.
There are two types of suspensions—definite and indefinite— which we’ll explore in a later section of this article, but for now suffice it to say that they both deal with whether there’s a set date at the end of your suspension or whether it’s left open-ended pending specific terms you must meet.
So, what about when your license is revoked? This tends to be more serious than a suspension. In this case, your license is cancelled fully and cannot be reinstated. There’s nothing you can do to make your license valid again. When you’ve met all of the criteria for your specific case and are allowed to seek a license again, you’ll have to go through your state’s licensing process from scratch and earn a brand-new license.
Causes of a Suspended or Revoked License
If you want to avoid having your license suspended or revoked, it’s good to know the reasons why law enforcement tends to suspend or revoke a license in the first place. While the decision to suspend or revoke a license is often left up to a judge’s discretion, as are the length and conditions of a suspension, these are some of the most common events that can lead to one or the other (or both).
Driving Without Insurance
If you’re found to be driving without insurance, you could have your license suspended or revoked. Depending on whether it’s a case of being underinsured or completely uninsured will probably impact the severity of the response, as will whether this is a first-time offense or you’ve been caught driving without insurance in the past.
For reference, it is a legal requirement to be properly insured in all 50 of the 50 U.S. states. All states also have minimum coverage limits you must meet to be considered legally insured.
Drug/Alcohol Related Driving Offenses
If you’re involved in a serious traffic offense involving drugs or alcohol, you can expect to have your license suspended at the least and, more than likely, revoked. These offenses include DUIs, DWI, and other infractions such as having open containers in the vehicle while driving.
Failure to Pay Traffic Fines
Paying one speeding ticket a day or so late may not result in your license being suspended or revoked, but you can bet that unpaid tickets will quickly land you in serious trouble— and that can include losing your license. Whenever you receive a traffic ticket, you should pay it as soon as possible unless you plan to contest the ticket in court, in which case you should follow the process outlined by your local law enforcement.
Additional Unpaid Fines/Fees
Failing to pay registration fees, parking tickets, or other fines can all result in having your license suspended or revoked. As in the example above, always pay fees and fines right away to avoid having your license suspended over something so minor. A single forgotten deadline can result in months or longer of being unable to legally drive, which can have a major impact on your lifestyle, job, and overall quality of life.
One of the most common causes of license suspensions that you may not think about? Failure to pay child support. Getting behind on child support payments can result in your license being suspended or even revoked.
Definite vs. Indefinite Suspensions
We mentioned earlier how there are two types of suspensions, definite and indefinite. Here’s what that means.
In the case of a definite suspension, your license is simply suspended until a specific date, at which point the suspension is lifted and you can legally drive once more— assuming you’ve paid all relevant fines and applied for reinstatement.
Indefinite suspensions may sound more ominous, but they actually tend to be shorter. In the event of an indefinite suspension, there’s no defined waiting period during which you must simply wait out the terms of your suspension. As soon as you’ve met whatever stipulations law enforcement sets forth, such as paying a fine.
Consequences of Having Your License Suspended or Revoked
The main consequence of having your license suspended is that you can no longer legally drive until the suspension is removed either by reaching the defined date or meeting the conditions of the suspension. But the suspension could also cause your insurance rates to rise or even lead to you having difficulty getting insured down the road.
Driving with a suspended license brings consequences that are much more serious. These can include felony charges, massive fines, and even potential jail time. Having your license temporarily suspended or revoked is bad enough. Don’t make it worse by adding even more serious charges.
Getting Your License Reinstated After a Suspension or Revocation
So you had your license suspended or revoked. What now?
Usually, your local jurisdiction will be very clear about what must be done to either reinstate your license or earn back the right to get a new license after yours has been revoked. These conditions will often depend on the specific details of your case.
If your license was suspended or revoked due to unpaid parking or traffic tickets, you’ll usually need to pay those tickets and any additional fines that have accrued in the meantime. For traffic-related offenses, you may need to take a safe driving course or reapply for a brand new license, or maybe even request a hearing with your state DMV.
Conclusion
If you’ve had a suspended or revoked license in the past, getting car insurance coverage can be tricky. Fortunately, Freedom National specializes in offering affordable car insurance to people who might otherwise have a difficult time getting covered. Whether you need an SR-22 or have other special circumstances, we work with a range of insurers to help you find the right fit and get you covered at a price you can afford.
Want to learn more? Explore our blog or get a quote today to get started on your path to coverage!
