New York DWI License Suspension

You may be sentenced to several penalties if convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) in New York, including jail time, mandatory fines, and alcohol evaluation. You may also face a driver’s license suspension. If you have recently been charged with drunk driving, you should hire an attorney to help fight your New York DWI license suspension.

If you are convicted of DWI, your license may be revoked for six months. If you are convicted of driving while ability impaired (DWAI), your license may be suspended for 90 days. In these cases, you may be eligible to receive a conditional license if you were not convicted of another DWI or DWAI within the past five years.

A conditional license allows you to drive to and from work, classes at an accredited school or college, medical treatment, court, alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs, and your children’s school or daycare. The times when you may drive must be approved by the court—driving with a conditional license during any other time is a violation, and you may lose your driving privileges completely.

In order to become eligible for a conditional permit, you must enroll in the New York State DMV Drinking Driver Program. This course meets once a week over the course of several weeks, and must be paid for out of pocket. As long as you participate in the class and take part in any mandatory additional treatment, you can keep your conditional license.

If your blood alcohol content (BAC) was .08% or higher when arrested for DWI, your driver’s license may be suspended during your case. When your license is suspended, your attorney may request a “hardship privilege,” which would allow you to drive to and from work and school. After 30 days, you may be eligible to receive a conditional license, provided you have not been convicted for DWI or refused a breath test within the past five years. In this case, you will receive your conditional license without having to take any classes.

If you refused to take a breath, blood, or urine test when you were arrested for DWI, you may be ineligible to receive a conditional license. However, an experienced DWI attorney may be able to challenge the revocation or have your license temporarily restored.

Do you have questions about the New York DWI License Suspension? If so, contact an experienced DWI defense attorney today.