The state of Illinois can take away your driving privileges by suspending or revoking your driver’s license. Indeed, any state can suspend any of its citizen’s driver’s license given enough cause to do so. Suspension is a temporary withdrawal of the license, typically for a specified duration. A revocation means termination of the license with no guarantee for reinstatement.
Every state has its own set of conditions that justify taking away someone’s driver’s license. Recently, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed new legislation to end license suspension in Illinois over some non-moving violations. The new law, known as the License to Work Act, takes effect from July 2020, and more than 55,000 motorists expect to get their licenses back as a result. However, even with the state showing a bit of leniency to motorists, you can still lose your license for a number of reasons.
Driving under the influence
DUI is a serious and potentially deadly offense. If caught driving under the impairing influence of alcohol, drugs or other substances, the court may suspend your license for one or three years. Besides losing your license, you may also face a one-year jail term and/or fines.
Unpaid tickets
Accumulating a few unpaid traffic tickets, both moving and non-moving, can trigger a license suspension. With tickets, you have a choice to either challenge them in court or pay the due fines. If you fail to appear in court within the allocated window or refuse to pay the penalties, the state can take away your license.
Keep in mind that the license suspension rules for drivers under the Graduated Driver Licensing programs are a bit different. For instance, a conviction for at least two moving violations within 24 months after getting your license warrants a suspension.
The period for license suspension and the conditions or requirements for reinstatement depend on the cause of suspension or revocation. Alternatively, you can persuade the court to reinstate your license unconditionally on the grounds that the suspension or revocation was not justified. In such a case, however, you’ll have to prove your claim.
