Even If You Stay Out Of Jail, You’ll Likely Still Be Off The Road For a While
If you face DUI charges in Utah, you have many potential consequences to worry about, but other than perhaps jail time, your biggest concern may be about whether you can drive after a DUI conviction. That’s understandable. The impact of losing your driving privileges is immediate and in almost every aspect of your life.
How will you get to and from work each day? How will you drop off and pick up your kids from school or extracurricular activities? How will you get groceries, run errands, or do any other things you take for granted daily? Utah’s public transportation infrastructure will not make your life any easier, especially outside of downtown Salt Lake City or other urban areas.
Why You Can’t Drive After a DUI In Utah
Let’s start with a fundamental fact: if convicted of DUI in Utah, you will lose your driving privileges, at least for a while. While you may be able to request or obtain a restricted license for specific purposes and subject to limitations, your driver’s license will be suspended after your conviction. When you can legally get back behind the wheel after a DUI conviction in Utah depends on many factors, primarily your age at the time of your arrest and whether you have any prior DUI convictions on your record.
Your first call in times like these should be to a Salt Lake City DUI defense attorney. Their knowledge of the Utah Driving Code will prove instrumental in your DUI/DWI case. They will know the laws, regulations, and local court customs that will prove invaluable to your case and secure an optimal outcome.
Related: Plea Bargaining in Criminal Defense: Pros, Cons, and Strategies
Duration of Suspension or Revocation
Utah Code Section 41-6a-509 governs the revocation of driver’s licenses upon conviction for DUI, based on the age of the accused.
Receiving a DUI at Age 21 or Older
If you were 21 years old or older at the time of your arrest and it is your first conviction for DUI, the Utah Drivers License Division will suspend your license for 180 days. This means you can not drive after a DUI in Utah for six months from the date of conviction.
However, if you were 21 years old or older at the time of your arrest and this is your second or subsequent conviction for DUI, your license will be mandatorily suspended for two years (if the current violation is committed within ten years from the date of the prior violation).
A third offense within the same timeframe may lead to a suspension of two years or more, potentially even permanent revocation of driving privileges.
Receiving a DUI Between Ages 19 and 21
If you were 19 years old or older but under 21 at the time of your arrest, and this is your first DUI conviction, your license will be suspended until your 21st birthday or for one year, whichever is longer.
If you did not have a Utah driver’s license at the time of your arrest, a conviction will result in the denial of your application for a license or learner’s permit until you turn 21 or for one year, whichever is longer.
If you were between 19 and 21 years old at the time of your arrest and this is your second or subsequent DUI conviction, your license will be revoked for two years or until you turn 21, whichever is longer (if the current violation is committed within ten years from the date of the prior violation).
If you did not have a license at the time of your arrest, a conviction for a second DUI in Utah will result in the denial of your application for a license or learner’s permit until you turn 21 or for two years, whichever is longer.
Receiving a DUI Before Your 19th Birthday
If you were under 19 at the time of your DUI arrest and this is your first DUI offense, your driver’s license will automatically be suspended until you turn 21.
If you did not have a license at the time of your arrest, a conviction will result in the denial of your application for a license or learner’s permit until you turn 21.
Limited License May Be Available
Many people convicted of DUI in Utah, especially first-time offenders, may be able to obtain a limited license during the suspension or revocation period that reinstates driving privileges for limited purposes, such as commuting to work, attending medical appointments, or fulfilling other essential needs. However, obtaining a limited license comes with additional directives, such as installing an ignition interlock device (IID) and special auto insurance requirements.
Ignition interlock devices are mechanisms installed in a vehicle that require the driver to pass a breathalyzer test before starting the car. Individuals convicted of DUI are required to have these devices installed in their vehicles at their own expense.
Related: When Is DUI a Felony in Utah?
A Driver’s License is a Privilege, Not a Right
Even after your revocation or suspension period ends, reinstating your driving privileges after a DUI in Utah is not automatic. Once the suspension or revocation period ends, you must apply for license reinstatement through the Driver’s License Division. This process often involves paying reinstatement fees, providing proof of completion of any required programs or assessments, and meeting other conditions imposed by the court or administrative authorities.
Put Your Legal Concerns in Expert Hands with Salt Lake City’s Best DUI Defense Attorney
If you’re facing the loss of your driving privileges due to a DUI conviction in Utah, now is the time to contact Salt Lake City DUI attorneys Intermountain Criminal Defense. Losing your license and not being able to drive after a DUI is a heavy burden. Regaining your driving privileges is critical and should not be taken into your own hands.
The Salt Lake City DUI defense attorneys at Intermountain Criminal Defense have a long, proven track record of successful DUI and DWI cases in Utah.
Contact Intermountain Criminal Defense today and put your worried mind at ease.
