Getting license back after 2nd DUI

What is the name of your state? California

I got my second DUI in December 1996. I paid all my fines and did the 6 days of community service. But I never went to the 18 month drunk driver class. My license has been suspended ever since. I still drive everyday because I have no other way to get to work; I drive 57 miles one way. I have only gotten one ticket since and that was in 1998 for driving on a suspended license; went to court, paid the fine and that was that, it's no longer on my DMV record.

Someone told me that after 85 months the DUI falls off of my DMV record and that then I can just go down to DMV and they will re-issue my license.

Does anyone know if this is true? I went to DMV about 2 years ago and asked what I needed to do to get my license back and the lady said I have to go to the 18 month course for at least 12 months and then come back and pay the $110 re-issue fee. But my question is, if it falls off my record on 1/13/04, can I go to DMV in mid-Jan and they won't see it and just give me my license back?

The fact your license is suspended will stay on your record till you get it cleared up. Yes it will only stay on there for 5 - 7 years, but since your license is still suspended that time keeps starting all over again. But hey Nice Try. So this is what you need to do. Go to CLASS, then after you get done with your class go get your license. Also after you get done with your class your mvr will still state that you had (not have) a suspended license till the time period is up.

Bini

[stephenk]

do you have auto insurance?

[HomeGuru]

No insurance is needed as the writer should not be driving due to a suspended license.

Originally posted by stephenk
do you have auto insurance?

Yes I have auto insurance and I pay dearly for it. $3500 a year for a Camaro and a Corvette.

Originally posted by HomeGuru
No insurance is needed as the writer should not be driving due to a suspended license.

WRONG! Insurance is needed; my Camaro is financed and the bank requires me to carry insurance; if I don't they will repo the car.

I understand that legally I shouldn't be driving due to my suspension; but I have a wife and 3 kids to feed and need to drive myself to work. As I stated above, I drive 57 miles one way to work; it's not like I can take the bus. I haven't ever been able to complete the stupid class because I work 10-12 hours a day and commute 4-5 hours a day roundtrip. That doesn't leave much time for a drunk driver class, especially when this is something that happened nearly a decade ago and I don't even drink anymore, let alone drive while drinking.

I have a tad over 500,000 driving miles under my belt in the last 7 years. I'm a good driver with lots of experience; now if I would have just had good sense 7 years ago I wouldn't have this problem.

[stephenk]

so you only have coverage required for the bank. You dont have liability coverage, right? If you get in an accident that is your fault, you dont have coverage that would cover injuries, loss of earnings, etc. of the other party.

you are driving uninsured. all you need is one accident and everything you think you are saving will be gone.

I was under the impression that liability is the state minimum in CA, full coverage required for financing by the bank...but...why are we talking about insurance?

Driving w/o a license and causing an accident--not having insurance would be the least of his worries.

But anyway, take the class, and stop driving drunk so those three kids will be ensured that there dad will always come home (and someone else's kids will too...).

Another thought--go buy a neon or something. Why do you need cars that cost you over $3000 a year for insurance? Maybe then you wouldn't be worried about missing a little work to take your driving class.

Originally posted by stephenk
so you only have coverage required for the bank. You dont have liability coverage, right? If you get in an accident that is your fault, you dont have coverage that would cover injuries, loss of earnings, etc. of the other party.

you are driving uninsured. all you need is one accident and everything you think you are saving will be gone.

[stephenk]

banks do not require liability coverage. banks only require coverage on the vehicle for damage done to the vehicle.

People sometimes mistakenly believe the insurance the finance company buys for the vehicle is the liability coverage required by California. It isnt.

The poster would not be able to get liability coverage as an insured driver when he has a suspended license.

Originally posted by stephenk
banks do not require liability coverage. banks only require coverage on the vehicle for damage done to the vehicle.

People sometimes mistakenly believe the insurance the finance company buys for the vehicle is the liability coverage required by California. It isnt.

The poster would not be able to get liability coverage as an insured driver when he has a suspended license.

Thanks for the clarification.

Originally posted by nospecialfx


But anyway, take the class, and stop driving drunk so those three kids will be ensured that there dad will always come home (and someone else's kids will too...).

Another thought--go buy a neon or something. Why do you need cars that cost you over $3000 a year for insurance? Maybe then you wouldn't be worried about missing a little work to take your driving class.

Thanks for the advice, but if you read my post up above you will see that I stated that I don't drink at all anymore; not socially and certainly not when I need to drive.

As for my "insurance"; I am covered if I cause an accident because I have a surety bond in the amount $35,000 filed with the DMV. I had to take a loan out for this bond and that is what costs me $3500 per year (it's the payments for the loan).

A Neon? You must be joking.

Now then, back to my original question ...

If I enroll in the class, can I at least get a restricted license to drive to/from class and to/from/during work? According to the lady at the DMV, if I stay enrolled in the class for at least 12 months I will get my license back...after that, if I don't finish all 18 months, the DMV will suspend me again and I will have to start all over. But can't I at least get a restricted license before the 12 months is up?

[dequeendistress]

What did the lady from the DMV advise you in regards to a restricted license? Are you driving without a license now?

Call/go to the DMV again and ask them your "original question". They can answer you questions more specifically with the great detailed information that you are trying to get here.

Originally posted by dequeendistress
What did the lady from the DMV advise you in regards to a restricted license? Are you driving without a license now?

She didn't mention anything about a restricted license; she just told me to enroll in the class and attend for 12 months, then come back and get my license.

I didn't think about the restricted license until lately when I've been searching around the internet; I just don't know if I'm eligible.

[HomeGuru]

Originally posted by Kid Fresh
She didn't mention anything about a restricted license; she just told me to enroll in the class and attend for 12 months, then come back and get my license.

I didn't think about the restricted license until lately when I've been searching around the internet; I just don't know if I'm eligible.

**A: well go and find out.