- June 7, 2022
Is your driving license suspended for reasons like DUI, hit and run case, failure to provide an automobile license, failing in the field sobriety tests, or such? In Orangeburg, South Carolina, you can get your driving license suspended for various reasons.
The most common reason is driving under influence. If your BAC is found to be .08 or above, the police officers can suspend your driving license. So, what is the best possible solution? According to a DUI attorney in Orangeburg, SC, you can get a provisional license. Let’s delve deeper.
What Is a Provisional Hardship License in Orangeburg?
A provisional hardship license is a temporary license provided in specialized situations. It is also termed a special restricted driving license.
A person whose driving license is suspended can carry a provisional hardship license in Orangeburg. However, such a license is provided under specific conditions only. You have to prove to the court of DMV that you need a hardship license for one of the following reasons:
- Driving to work/job
- Going to school yourself or getting your kids to/from school
- Need to attend an Alcohol and Drug rehabilitation program
- Need to find a new job/employment
- For necessary services like grocery shopping, driving to medical appointments, taking care of elderly parents, etc
What Are the Requirements for Getting a Provisional License in Orangeburg?
You need to fulfill several requirements to be eligible for a provisional license in Orangeburg. These include:
- You should be enrolled in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program.
- You should have a valid driving license at the time of violation/suspension of your driving license.
- It should be your first DUI offense in 10 years.
- You should put forward SR22 insurance before the DMV i.e., proof of financial responsibility.
- You have a Blood Alcohol content of 0.14 or less.
- You do not have other suspensions under your driving record
What Is SR22 Insurance in Orangeburg, SC?
SR22 insurance is a certificate that must be filed with your insurance company when your driving license is suspended or revoked in Orangeburg, SC. This certificate is legal proof that you fulfill the minimum insurance requirements in SC. Minimum automobile insurance is a must in South Carolina. Failing to provide such insurance when pulled over can lead to driving license suspension, fines up to $200, and jail time.
The minimum insurance requirement in SC is to have either one of the following insurance coverages:
- Bodily injury liability coverage
- Property damage coverage
- Uninsured motorist coverage
It is super important to carry SR22 insurance if you have a DUI offense on your driving record or are termed a reckless driver or high-risk driver in SC.
Filing and obtaining SR22 insurance is easy. You just need to fill it out with your insurance company and the required fee.
If it’s not your first DUI offense or you have your license suspended due to other reasons, you can get another restricted license in Orangeburg, determined by the DMV, as there are three types of hardship licenses in SC. These include:
- The provisional driving licenses
- Route restricted driving license
- Temporary school license
The cost of a provisional driving license in Orangeburg, South Carolina, is around $100.
A provisional driving license allows you to drive for at least six months if you successfully participate in the ADSAP and is granted to first-time DUI offenders.
A route-restricted license is like a traditional license and can only be used when driving on certain routes. Such license would be accompanied anytime you are operating the motor vehicle. Getting pulled over without any license can land you be double trouble.
A temporary alcohol license is given to those DUI offenders who are awaiting their hearing plea. The fines, penalties, and other punishments are yet to be decided. You can use such a license until the results are in. Once the results are out and your driving license is suspended as a result of the hearing, you will have to return the temporary school license to the DMV. You can apply for other hardship licenses instead, depending on your eligibility.
How to Get a Provisional Hardship License in Orangeburg?
Following these steps is the best way to obtain a provisional hardship license.
Contact an Attorney
Contacting a DUI attorney in Orangeburg, SC could be the easiest way to get a provisional hardship license in Orangeburg. Such a lawyer knows the laws well and easily helps you go through the process.
If your driving license is suspended on DUI grounds, hiring a lawyer in the first place can help you prove your case. Your lawyer can establish that sobriety tests were false or come up with other suitable reasons. A lawyer can even prevent driving license suspension in the first place.
If your driving license is also suspended, you can still contact a lawyer to get a hardship license.
Know Your Eligibility
A lawyer would explain if you are eligible to get a provisional license or not and save you from the trouble of visiting the DMV office. You sometimes also need to install the ignition interlock device on your vehicle before applying for a hardship license, especially if you are a repeat DUI offender.
You can also check your eligibility for a provisional license with the help of the requirements mentioned above.
Fill Out the Required Application Form
Once you visit the DMV office, you will be required to fill out an application form for a provisional hardship license. You can visit scdmvonline.com to download and print the required hardship license application form.
Get the Documents Ready
The official website also mentions the required documents to provide with the application form. If you are finding it difficult to understand the process, you can contact a lawyer at any stage to help you out.
Pay the Fees
Once everything is ready, you need to pay $100 to get your hardship license.
Call Our Orangeburg DUI Lawyers for Help!
Do you know even when your suspension period is over, you may not get your driving license back? You will have to get it reinstated, which involves paying all the pending fines and reinstatement fees. If the offenses are major, like a felony or third-degree offense, you may have to pass the road test and other knowledge tests again to get your driving privileges back.
Thus, it is not easy to get your license back after a suspension in Orangeburg, SC. If you have been in trouble for a long, it is advisable to contact a suitable attorney. You can choose to get a free consultation from our Orangeburg criminal defense attorneys to learn more.
