A drunk driving conviction in Michigan carries substantial penalties, including hefty fines and a mandatory driver’s license suspension. If you were convicted of Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), also known as a Driving Under the Influence (DUI), you may be wondering how to get your license back after a DUI.
Elmen Legal is a DUI defense law firm located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that handles OWI cases throughout the state. Attorney Robert Elmen can help you navigate an OWI charge, explain your options if your driver’s license was suspended, and help you get your license back after a DUI.
Drivers convicted of a first offense OWI face a mandatory 30-day driver’s license suspension followed by 150 days of driving on a restricted license. In other words, you cannot drive for the first 30 days. After 30 days, you are eligible for a restricted driver’s license.
While you are on a restricted driver’s license, you can only drive to and from:
You can also drive to and from any combination of the above locations.
While driving on a restricted license, you must carry proof of your destination and the hours of any employment, class, or other reason for traveling. You must present proof of your destination when requested by a police officer.
If your driver’s license was suspended after an OWI charge, you will need to seek a driver’s license reinstatement once the 180-day driver’s license suspension period has ended. How you get your driver’s license back after an OWI Charge will depend on why your license was suspended.
Drivers who are stopped on suspicion of OWI and refuse to provide a blood or breath sample for chemical testing face a mandatory driver’s license suspension for one year. A driver whose license is suspended for refusal to take a blood or breath test is not eligible for restricted driving privileges.
If you wish to appeal the driver’s license suspension for refusing a chemical test, you must act quickly. You only have 14 days from the date of the arrest in which to appeal the driver’s license suspension. If you do not contest the suspension, your driver’s license will be suspended for one year, and you will not be eligible for restricted driving privileges.
After one year, you will need to apply for a driver’s license reinstatement and pay a $125 driver’s license reinstatement fee.
Drivers convicted of a first-offense OWI face a mandatory 180-day driver’s license suspension. You cannot drive for the first 30 days. After 30 days, you can request a restricted license. Once the entire driver’s license suspension period has ended, you can apply for a driver’s license reinstatement and pay the $125 driver’s license reinstatement fee. In most cases, you can pay the driver’s license reinstatement fee online, by mail, or at a branch office of the Michigan Secretary of State.
If your driver’s license was suspended because of an OWI charge, Elmen Legal can help you obtain a restricted driver’s license. You will need to demonstrate your eligibility for a restricted driver’s license and may need to serve part of your original sentence. Your restricted driver’s license may be subject to additional conditions, such as having an ignition interlock system installed on any vehicles you drive.
Once your driver’s license suspension period ends, you are eligible to have your driver’s license reinstated. You must pay the driver’s license reinstatement fee and meet all other conditions of your driver’s license suspension.
Founding attorney Robert Elmen was admitted to practice in 2014 and exclusively represents people facing criminal charges in Michigan. He takes a caring and holistic approach to criminal defense. He can help you navigate a Michigan OWI charge and will fight to protect your rights and minimize the severity of any penalties you face.
To learn more about Robert Elmen, read reviews from former clients and read answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Then contact Elmen Legal today by calling (734) 707-8915 or emailing robert@elmenlegal.com.
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