Have you just learned that your driver’s license is currently suspended? This shouldn’t be something to wonder, since most of us believe that if our driver’s license was suspended, we’d know it.
However, it’s very much possible that if your driver’s license was suspended, you might not know it. There are various reasons for suspensions, and in some cases, you might not even learn about it.
Not knowing about the suspension and driving like you used to, can be a problem, especially if you learn about once a police officer stops you or you get into an accident.
If this happens to you, make sure to contact an attorney; if it was because of drunk driving, seek help from a Portland DUI attorney.
Reasons Driver’s Licenses May Be Suspended
In the United States, there are two categories of reasons why your driver’s license can be suspended or revoked – driving and non-driving related.
In most cases driver’s licenses can be suspended because of the following:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol and rugs
- A conviction for a drug offence (other than DUI)
- Reckless driving
If you have committed any of these three, you would probably know that your license was suspended.
Here are some other reasons for a driver’s license suspension:
- Fleeing the accident scene (and your plate numbers were picked by surveillance or another camera)
- Not appearing in court on a call for a moving violation or parking ticket
- Not paying for a motor vehicle fine, fee or surcharge
- Growth of points or violations
- Insurance lapse
- Missing a notice about points accumulation
- Truancy
- Not paying child support
- Missing a court date or a fine
- Delinquent conduct by a minor
Processing Time and Human Error
If you’re a careful driver, you probably think that none of the upper mentioned situations can happen to you. But, there are a few cases when an untended mistake can result in your license status.
For example, if you send your insurance premium check and it’s not processed in time, it may lead to a driver’s license suspension. Also, if you forget to inform the DMV when you move or get an automated intersection monitor ticket sent to your old address (therefore you forget to pay it), your license may get suspended.
Check If Your License Is Suspended
The good thing is that you can always check if your license was suspended. If you didn’t have any DUI, speeding or other experience that could lead to a driver’s license suspension, you should still check the status of your license.
Check your mailbox. In most states, the jurisdictions will notify you by mail to the address they have on the record. Be sure to even check your junk mail.
Go to DMV and get a copy of your driving record; you can also call the DMV or check their official website. In some states, such as the case with Oregon, your record is available online.
You can also call your auto insurance carrier. They would surely know if your policy has lapsed and will know whether your license was suspended because of that or any other reason.
DUI Reasons for Driver’s License Suspensions in Oregon
The Oregon DMV may suspend driving privileges for DUII or related conviction in another state. If you have made many traffic violation, you should notify your employer within 30 days of the conviction. You may also get additional criminal penalties and fines from the court. These are the most common reasons for an Oregon driver’s license to be suspended or revoked.
- DUI – If your breathalyzer or blood test shows 0.08% or higher, you can expect your license to be suspended. The length of the suspension will depend on the nature of the offence. If you fail a breath test, your license will be suspended for 90 days (or 1 year if this is your subsequent alcohol defence). When you get pulled over and it turns out that you’ve been drinking, the officer will confiscate your license (you’ll get a 30-day permit; after it expire the suspension of your license will come to effect).
- Denying a Breathalyzer or Urine Test – You can refuse these tests, but that would mean a driver’s license suspension for one year (3 years if this is a subsequent alcohol-related offence in the last five years).
If you have experienced driver’s license suspension because of drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs, contact our office and schedule your consultation.
