Fines, court dates, potential jail time, and the suspension of your license—getting a DWI in New York is not a pleasant experience, and not having your license can significantly disrupt your routine. Fortunately, you may not be completely out of options. That is because you may still qualify for a conditional license, which allows limited driving privileges while your case is pending or license is suspended. As your New York City auto accident attorney, the team at Gabriel Law wants to take this opportunity to explain what a conditional license is, who qualifies, how to apply, and much more.
What is a conditional license?
A conditional license is a special kind of restricted license that is issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and it allows certain drivers convicted of DWI and other related offenses to continue driving, but only for very specific purposes, such as going to work, attending medical appointments, and attending court-ordered rehabilitation programs.
Your conditional license will only be valid within state borders, unless interstate travel has been permitted by the DMV. It will only remain valid for the duration of the suspension or revocation of your actual license.
These licenses are only given to select individuals, and the process strives to strike a balance between ensuring public safety and the reality of the disruptions that losing driving privileges can cause in daily life.
Who qualifies for a conditional license?
For a person to be eligible for a conditional license, they need to meet several requirements. They include:
- Holding a valid driver’s license from New York,
- Not being convicted of alcohol or drug-related driving offenses within the last five years,
- Enrollment and completion of the Impaired Driver Program, and
- Compliance with any and all court-ordered requirements in your case.
It’s important to keep in mind that not every driver qualifies for a conditional license. A person may not qualify if:
- They have been convicted of an alcohol- or drug-related driving offense within the last five years.
- Refused a chemical or breathalyzer test under New York’s implied consent law,
- The person is already in possession of a conditional license from a previous offense, or
- They were involved in an incident that caused death or serious injury.
How long does it take to get a conditional license?
Typically, you can get a conditional license between 18 and 20 days after the court enters your suspension order. However, to obtain a conditional license, you will have to submit an application, pay a fee, and show proof of enrollment in an Impaired Driver Program.
Where can you drive with a conditional license?
A ‘conditional’ license does not restore your full driving rights. Using your conditional license for recreational purposes, visiting friends, or running errands is strictly prohibited, and you are only allowed to travel to places like work, schools, medical appointments, court appointments, the impaired driver program, or probation meetings.
The DMV keeps excellent records of all conditional licenses and their restrictions. If and when you are stopped by law enforcement, they easily verify the conditions of your license and see whether you are in breach of any of them.
What are the penalties for misusing a conditional license?
You must accept the reality that conditional licenses come with strings attached, and to violate any of the conditions of your conditional license will see you face serious repercussions. The misuse of your license can result in:
- The immediate suspension of your conditional license
- Additional suspensions and the extending of the revocation period, and
- Being ineligible for reissuance of any license until the end of the revocation period.
Conclusion
Getting your license suspended in a DWI case can have a serious impact on your daily routine. However, all is not lost, and you may still be eligible for a conditional license. At Gabriel Law, our personal injury law firm in NYC has decades of experience representing clients in DWI claims. We, as your Queens car accident lawyer, understand how important keeping driving privileges is to you, and we will do everything in our power to help you fight the underlying charges and protect your rights.
