Georgia DUI Work Permit
Getting a Work Permit After a Georgia DUI Arrest
By: William C. Head, Attorney at Law [Copyright © 2008, William C. Head]
There are certain criteria a person must meet in order to be eligible for a work permit. For example, drivers under the age of 21 may not be eligible to receive a work permit.
It is important to note that if you receive a work permit, there are only a limited number of places or reasons that you are allowed to drive. If you drive for reasons and locations that are not approved, this will initiate a new arrest and your work permit will be revoked. In addition, additional time will be added to your original license suspension.
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) determines what locations and purposes are allowed. This includes driving to or from work, receiving medical care, attending school, attending support groups that are related to drug or alcohol addiction, or attending DUI School.
In addition to these guidelines, the DDS may put additional conditions on the limited permit. These may include specifying in what places you can and cannot operate your vehicle, routes that must be followed, times when you are allowed to travel, and specific vehicles that you are allowed to operate. The DDS may also order you to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle.
It is important to note that if you get a new moving violation while driving with a limited permit, it will trigger a notification for you to surrender your permit within ten days. Once this permit is revoked, you will not be able to apply for another work permit until six months after your permit is turned in to the DDS.
Early reinstatement of your full driving privileges is available 120 days after your conviction, provided you complete certain conditions. You must complete a 20-hour DUI School course and pay a reinstatement fee of $200 by mail ($210 if you go to the DDS office).
If you were convicted of DUI, or you entered a plea of “no contest,” you cannot have your full driving privileges or your regular driver’s license. In fact, unless you go to DUI School and pay your reinstatement fee, your license will never be reinstated in Georgia. This means that once your work permit runs out, you are not allowed to drive until you meet the conditions stated above.
The look-back period for license suspensions in Georgia is five years. This means if you had a prior DUI conviction more than five years ago, you will still be eligible to receive a work permit. If you have been convicted of DUI in another state, it will also count against you in Georgia.
If you are licensed in a state other than Georgia, our law firm can help you find the best way to dispose of your upcoming case in Georgia in order to avoid a license suspension in your home state.
If your license has been suspended in another state, your license must be reinstated in your home state before you may receive your license in Georgia. You must then comply with Georgia’s reinstatement rules, such as attending a Georgia DUI School. You must also provide documentation that you completed the course to the DDS and pay the reinstatement fee.
Our DUI defense law firm is more than happy to assist you in obtaining a work permit or your early license reinstatement. For more information, please contact us today!