People with disabilities and their rights as drivers is a very important topic, especially if you or a loved one has a disability and drives a vehicle. There are specific laws that must be followed in order for all drivers (disabled or not) to keep their licenses valid and up to date. So, can disabled drivers have their licenses revoked? The answer is yes – read on for more information!
How would someone get a suspended or revoked license?
There are a large number of different offenses that can result in someone getting their license suspended or revoked. Disabled drivers are held to the exact same standards as other drivers. This means if you’re found by your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to be breaking any of these laws, your license will be temporarily suspended, making it illegal for you to drive a car.
There are two types of suspended licenses: definite (which means the suspension will end at some point, and you’ll have to pay some suspension termination fees) and indefinite (which means your license will stay suspended until you take a specific action, such as paying a traffic ticket).
Although the laws can vary from state to state, here are some common offenses that can result in suspensions:
- Alcohol or drug-related moving violations
- Driving without liability insurance
- Receiving too many traffic tickets
- Vehicular felonies
- DMV demerit points
- Reckless driving
It’s typical for disabled drivers to receive an indefinite suspension because an administrative review has stated that their medical condition makes them a danger to themselves or others on the road.
A revoked license means your license has been completely canceled and cannot be reinstated ever in the future. To get a license again, you would have to request approval from the DMV for a brand-new license, pay any civil penalties you may owe, and go through your state’s licensing process all over again. This generally requires you to complete a written and road test as well.
Common reasons for revocations include:
- Driving without insurance
- Being convicted of a serious traffic offense
- Failing a DMV road test
- Making false statements on your license or car registration
Similarly to suspensions, disabled drivers can get their licenses revoked if they have a severe medical condition, they’ve committed many driving offenses, or because of age. In most states, you can appeal the suspension or revocation of your license, if you get a statement from your doctor proving you’re able to drive safely. You will likely be required to pass a road driving test to demonstrate this.
In some states, drivers who have had this type of suspension are mandated to submit periodic medical reports in order to keep their license valid. Revocations by a judge are set for an indefinite amount of time; some may petition the court to reinstate the license after a recommended waiting period.
What does license reinstated mean?
As mentioned above, if the DMV reinstates your license, that means you are able to drive legally again. Each driver faces different requirements to complete before getting their reinstated license, and this often depends greatly on the reason for the suspension.
However, in most states, drivers are required to provide proof of insurance, a valid ID, and a license reinstatement fee (based on why your license was suspended). Make sure you’re going through each and every step to get your license reinstated that your DMV requires before you get behind the wheel again.
How can I see if my DL is suspended?
If you’re unsure if your driver’s license has actually been suspended, you have a few options to check. You’re most likely to learn your license has been suspended because of a notification of suspension in the mail.
If you never received this, you can go in person to your nearest DMV office and request a copy of your driving record. Some states allow you to request this online or over the phone so you don’t have to trek to the office. Another way to find out is to call your car insurance company. They can usually tell you if your policy has lapsed or been canceled because of a suspended license.
What will happen if you drive with a suspended license?
If you’re caught driving with a suspended license, you will likely incur even more penalties and fines. It can also lead to you getting your license revoked entirely. If you’re in an accident while you have a suspended license, a misdemeanor charge could be upgraded to a felony. Bottom line: don’t get behind the wheel if your license is suspended or revoked for any reason!
Do you lose your disabled parking permit when you lose your license?
Generally, the loss of your license doesn’t affect your disabled parking permit in any way. Because you can use your permit as a passenger, the law doesn’t really care if you are unable to drive. In fact, many disabled individuals who are unable to continue driving because of their medical conditions need to rely even more on handicap placards to give them access to convenient parking places. Keep your handicap permit up-to-date so you can avoid any penalties when using it.
Getting your license suspended or revoked can be frustrating, but if you’re no longer able to drive for whatever reason, make sure you have a valid disabled parking permit so that you still have the benefits that come from owning a placard.
Featured image by Mubariz Mehdizadeh on Unsplash