What could cause you to get your License Suspended?
You will face license suspension in South Carolina if you are convicted of DUI, or if you refuse blood alcohol testing of any kind. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a hardship license.
Are there ways to get around a license suspension?
DUI Hardship License
You may be eligible for a DUI hardship license. This restricted license allows you to drive to and from work or school, or court-ordered programs.
To be eligible for a DUI hardship license, you must:
- be a first time DUI offender,
- work or go to school more than 1 mile from home, with no available public transportation
- enroll in the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program
- have SR-22 insurance
- pay a fee
You may be required to install an ignition interlock device in any vehicle you use on a regular basis.
What is an Ignition Interlock Device?
The ignition interlock device attaches to your car and works as a breathalyzer. The car won't start until you blow into the device, which reads your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). The device must register your BAC at 0.02 or lower in order for the car to start. Occasionally, you'll be required to blow into the ignition interlock device while driving. If the device registers your BAC above 0.02 at any time, it causes the car's lights to flash, the horn to sound, and the windshield wipers to turn on. Failed recordings are logged by the device and may result in losing your hardship license.
How do I apply for a DUI Hardship License?
A hardship license may restrict where you can travel or for what purposes. However, it can allow you freedom to travel to work or school, to care for children, or to make court-mandated appointments. A Columbia SC DUI lawyer can help guide you through the process of applying for a hardship license anywhere in South Carolina.