My Drivers License Got Suspended-Now What?

A driver’s license suspension is a serious problem for New York drivers. It often comes as a result of having too many points on your driver’s license, excessive speeding or drunk driving offenses, or simply due to failure to pay traffic tickets. But what are the details behind driver’s license suspensions, and what can drivers do if their license is suspended?

Points and Penalties

New York State often suspends driver’s licenses if a driver accumulates 11 points on their driver’s license within an 18 month period. In addition, if a driver receives 3 speeding tickets within an 18 month period, their license will be revoked for 6 months. Driver’s licenses are almost always suspended (and sometimes even revoked) in the case of DWI and DUI convictions. A New York traffic ticket lawyer can help you avoid driver’s license suspension by fighting your traffic tickets – by simply pleading guilty and paying a fine, you may be setting yourself up for a driver’s license suspension somewhere down the road.

Non-payment of Traffic Tickets

Failure to answer a traffic ticket (enter a not guilty plea) or, if convicted of a traffic violation, failure to pay the fine to the DMV, can result in a suspended license. This is why it is important to never ignore traffic tickets in New York. You cannot drive until the suspension has been lifted, and this will end up costing you more time and money in the long run. The best course of action is to answer the ticket, and if found guilty, pay the appropriate fines in the allotted time frame.

Aggravated Unlicensed Operation and Driving While Suspended

Aggravated Unlicensed Operation (AUO) and Driving While Suspended are misdemeanor crimes in New York. AUO and Driving While Suspended occur when a driver’s license has been suspended, yet the person continues to drive a vehicle. Conviction of either crime carries the possibility of jail time, though this is highly unlikely, especially for first time offenders with clean records. Instead, drivers convicted of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation or Driving While Suspended are usually subject to hefty fines and court surcharges. A New York traffic ticket attorney can assist drivers facing AUO charges or Driving While Suspended charges by helping to clear up any unresolved issues that may have led to the suspension, as well as assist in the defense of the Aggravated Unlicensed Operation violation.

How to Terminate a Driver’s License Suspension

A driver’s license termination depends on a few matters. Some suspensions, such as suspensions for DWI convictions, are for a set period of time, and the suspension cannot be terminated until that period has passed. Others, like suspensions for unpaid traffic tickets, are indefinite. This means that the suspension cannot be terminated until certain criteria are met, in this case the payment of the fines and the suspension termination fee. However, any driver trying to terminate a driver’s license suspension must pay a termination fee to the DMV in order to have their driving privileges restored.

If your driver’s license is in danger of being suspended, has already been suspended, or if you have been charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, please contact us immediately at 212-227-9008 to see how we may assist you in having your driving privileges restored.

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