I have a DUI hearing coming up. What can I do to keep my license?

If you have been arrested and charged with the crime of driving under the influence of alcohol, or DUI, you will likely have already received the suspension notice of your driver’s license, which is done as part of the DUI arrest process.  Of course, just because you have a hearing coming up doesn’t mean you won’t need to drive to and from work, to school, etc., in the meantime.  So, what are your options for keeping your driver’s license pending the outcome of your DUI hearing, and how can you use these options to avoid having to carpool or use public transportation while you wait for the hearing?

• The best option available for keeping your driver’s license pending the outcome of a DUI criminal hearing is to apply for an administrative hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state.  
• An administrative hearing will not deal with guilt or innocence, but it will deal with the facts of the arrest, and can result in your license being reinstated temporarily, pending the outcome of your official DUI hearing in court.  
• You will need to apply for the DMV administrative hearing on your own, as these are not automatically set up when you lose your license pending a DUI.

If you are facing DUI charges, it is important you have a lawyer. A criminal DUI attorney can help you to handle the DUI process in your state and can assist you in taking steps to try to keep your license or minimize the DUI penalties you may face.