Top Your Driving Privilege

Driving in Connecticut is a privilege granted by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. And, like all privileges, it can be taken away―temporarily or permanently―if you prove yourself unable to follow the rules under which it was granted. The Connecticut DMV can and will suspend or revoke your driver's license for reasons ranging from a DUI conviction to failure to pay taxes or traffic tickets. Once your license is suspended or revoked, you can face serious criminal penalties if you continue to drive.

Top Check Your Driver's License Status

If you ever need or want to check the status of your driver's license, you can order a driving record report. The report will spell out if your driver's license is currently valid. Should your license have been suspended or revoked, it will be indicated according to what's on record at the DMV. The report will also show the points against your license and, in some cases, any accidents you have had.

Here's what you need to know about the state's suspension and revocation policies:

Top Suspension for DUI

If you are caught driving while under the influence of alcohol, you will lose your license for at least three months, maybe longer, depending on your age and the level of alcohol detected in your system. Here are the standard suspension rules for DUI:

• Refusal to submit to a blood-alcohol test will get you an automatic six-month suspension for the first offense, one year for a second offense, three years for a third or subsequent offenses.

• If your blood-alcohol content (BAC) is over .08 and lower than 1.6, count on 90 days for a first offense, nine months for a second offense, and two years for a third and subsequent offenses.

• If your BAC is 1.6 or over, the suspension jumps up to 120 days, 10 months, and two and a half years.

• A driver under 21 with a result of .02 or over will see an automatic 180 days for a the first offense, 18 months for a second offense, and four years for a third and subsequent offenses.

Remember, these are just the automatic administrative penalties issued by the Connecticut DMV. Any DUI offense also includes substantial criminal penalties, including fines and possible jail time.

Top Automatic License Suspensions

Besides DUI, there are the following specific infractions that can result in an automatic license suspension:

• False statements or reports―Minimum six months; maximum one year

• Improper use of marker, registration, or license―Minimum 30 days; maximum one year

• Inadequate insurance coverage―Minimum 30 days; maximum six months

• Operating a motor vehicle while under suspension―Minimum one year; maximum five years

• Reckless driving―Minimum 30 days; maximum 90 days

• Failure to fully stop when signaled―Minimum one year; maximum 18 months.

• Evading responsibility―Minimum one year; maximum five years

• Racing―Minimum 60 days; maximum six months

• Misrepresentation of age to procure liquor―Minimum 150 days; maximum 150 days

• Procuring liquor by person forbidden to purchase or by false statement―Minimum 150 days; maximum 150 days

• Public possession of liquor by minors―Minimum 150 days; maximum 150 days

• Manslaughter (second degree) with a vehicle―Minimum one year; maximum one year

• Assault (second degree) with a vehicle―Minimum one year; maximum one year

• Using vehicle without owner's permission―Minimum one year; maximum one year

• Interfering with a vehicle―Minimum 30 days; maximum one year

Top Other License Suspensions

Here are some other offenses that may result in license suspension:

• Unpaid Connecticut parking tickets. In this case, the DMV should first issue you a written warning that you are facing suspension for failing to pay municipal parking tickets. Pay before the suspension date and you'll be okay. After that date, it's going to cost you $125 to get your license back, in addition to the parking fines.

• Out-of-state parking tickets. That's right, the Connecticut DMV can and will suspend your license for out-of-state parking tickets and require receipts of payment from the out-of-state municipalities before it will reinstate your license.

• Unpaid Connecticut property taxes. If you have unpaid property taxes, your local tax collector will report you to the Connecticut DMV. You will need to prove payment to the DMV before your license will be reinstated.

• Money owed to the DMV. If you have fees due to bounced checks, or if you have unpaid sales taxes or administrative fees on your record, your license may be suspended.

• Medical matters. If you have a medical condition that threatens your ability to drive safely, you may face a license suspension or revocation.

• Failure to attend a required operator retraining program.

Top Operator Retraining Program

If you get multiple convictions for moving violations or license suspensions, the Connecticut DMV can force you to go to a commercial driver retraining class. If you don't go, you'll face a license suspension until you do. Anyone 24 years or younger can be forced to go to retraining school for two violations. For those over 24 years old it's three violations. Classes currently cost $60 per session.

Top Special Permits

If your license has been suspended, but it's critical for you to drive back and forth to work, you can apply for a special permit that will allow you to drive yourself to and from work. Here's how to apply:

• Complete an application or call (860) 263-5720 and select number 1 (if you have a touch-tone phone), then option 7 from the main menu and follow the instructions.

• Mail the application to the following address:
  • Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles
  • Driver Services Division
  • 60 State St.
  • Wethersfield, CT 06161-2525

Top Restore a Suspended License

Once you have served your license suspension, you may apply to the Connecticut DMV to get it back. Here's how:

• You can call (860) 263-5720 to obtain suspension and restoration information, but all requests for restoration must be processed via U.S. mail. Write to the following address to make your request:
  • Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles
  • Driver Services Division
  • 60 State St.
  • Wethersfield, CT 06161-2525

• You may not begin driving again, even after your suspension is over, until you receive a notice in the mail from the Connecticut DMV saying your driving privileges have been restored.

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