You know that certain serious traffic violations or committing a number of less serious violations in a period of time can mean losing your license. As with other states, “losing your license” in New York can mean two different things: It can mean getting your license suspended or having it revoked.
Chances are you’re wondering how a driver’s license suspension is different from a revocation if both are considered losing your license. You’re probably also wondering if one is temporary and if it’s possible to ever earn back your driving privileges in either scenario. We’ll discuss these differences and more below!
Driver’s License Suspensions in New York
It is a less serious penalty if your driver’s license is suspended. This is because your legal driving privileges are temporarily suspended and can eventually be restored (as long as your driver’s license didn’t expire during the suspension).
There are two different types of driver’s license suspensions in New York: definite and indefinite. Definite suspensions are those where you lose driving privileges for a set period of time. Indefinite suspensions can last for as long as it takes to do something required to lift the suspension.
Definite suspensions are often issued for the following reasons:
- Driving without valid auto insurance
- Conviction of a DUI
- Receiving too many traffic tickets within 18 months
- Violating the rules for junior drivers
Indefinite suspensions can be issued as a result of the following:
- Driving without auto insurance
- Failing to answer a traffic ticket
- Failing to file an accident report
- Failing to pay a traffic ticket fine
- Failing to make child support payments
- Failing to pay state taxes
A license suspension is a serious matter to deal with, but it is often to quickly recover from one as long as you comply with the terms of the suspension. Failing to do so, however, can quickly lead to a revocation of your license.
New York Driver’s License Revocations
A driver’s license revocation means your driving privileges on your current license are ended. Revocations on a license are permanent, although it is possible to apply for a new driver’s license when the revocation period ends. A new driver’s license after a revocation can often be like the first time you got a driver’s license, requiring a written and behind-the-wheel exam to reestablish your fitness to drive.
Under certain circumstances, a license revocation can mean the permanent end of a person’s driving privileges and no hope of obtaining a new license in the future.
Revocations are issued under circumstances such as the following:
- Driving (or allowing someone else to drive) your vehicle without insurance
- Becoming involved in a collision as an uninsured driver
- Getting convicted of a DUI
- Getting convicted of another serious traffic violation or series of them
- Failing the DMV’s road test
- Making a false statement on a driver’s license or registration application
- Being involved in a fatal collision
Was Your License Taken away? We Can Help.
If you need to fight a possible license suspension or revocation, or need help getting your driving privileges back, reach out to Stites Law today for legal support. Our attorney helps clients like you get the help they need to fight back against unfair traffic violation citations that can have severe consequences.
Learn more about what our attorney can do for you by getting in touch with us online.
