Your driver license may be suspended for causing a serious collision with another car, vehicle, or any object.
No matter how experienced you are behind the wheel. Even if you have raced and have driven for 20 years and counting, without a driver’s license, you cannot drive. This is because a driver’s license is the only document that permits you to drive on the roads.
Your Driver’s License May Be Suspended For Causing?
There are many reasons why your driver’s license may be suspended but for the sake of those preparing for a written driving test, the answer is “for causing a serious collision”.
The truth is that not all collisions can get your driving license suspended. However, for a collision to have your license suspended, either you have been warned severally about causing a collision or you may have caused a collision that may have taken life; if not lives.
It’s important to note that license suspension may vary from state to state. Some states may suspend you from driving for overspeeding while others may just fine you. Some may suspend you but still allows you to drive in an emergency, to work, or to a rehabilitation center.
Reasons Your Driver’s License Can Be Suspended
The reasons why your driver’s license can suspend are:
1. When You Cause a Serious Collision
Causing an accident that destroyed lives and properties can have your driving license suspended. Some collisions that could have been avoided and those you carelessly caused.
As a driver, you are mandated to drive cautiously without putting other road users at risk. However, when the reverse is the case, you may have your driving license taken away from you.
2. Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Driving under the influence is a serious offense that can seriously get you banned from driving on the roads. All the countries of the world are against it and the reason is not far-fetched.
When you are drunk, your driving judgment and abilities are jeopardized. You may begin to drive the way you wouldn’t have driven were you not drunk.
Some states call it driving under the influence (DUI), operating while impaired (OWI), or driving while intoxicated (DWI).
If you are convicted of driving under the influence several times, your license may be suspended and before you can get it back, you may be required to do some therapy or rehabilitation sessions.
3. Accumulating Excessive Points
Violating traffic rules gets you points in your driving license and when these points are accumulated to a certain number, your license may be suspended.
If for example, you keep violating traffic rules and getting the points, they may need to suspend your license so you can learn never to disobey traffic/navigational signs again.
However, it is important to note that this only work in some states. For example, in Washington DC, if you accumulate 10 to 11 points on your driving license, your license will be suspended for 90 days and before you can get it back, you will be mandated to do some therapy sessions.
4. Driving Without Insurance
Most states require all drivers to have some form of liability insurance to be able to freely drive. In some states, it is illegal to drive without this insurance. So, if you have been pulled over severally for not having the required insurance, your license may be suspended.
5. Not Paying Traffic Tickets
In some states, your driver’s license may be suspended for failing to pay traffic tickets that are allocated to you, especially those that were allocated for reckless driving and disobeying traffic signs.
6. Reckless Driving
Your driver license may be suspended for driving recklessly. Reckless driving can end up in a serious collision that may destroy lives and properties.
As a licensed driver, you are urged to drive carefully knowing fully well that you are not the only one using the road.
Moreover, your license may be suspended even if your reckless driving did not lead to a crash. If you have been ticketed to the point that it seems as though you know what you are doing, it may result in your license getting suspended.
7. Refusing to Pay Student Loan
Some states such as Oklahoma, Iowa, and Montana may have your driver’s license suspended if you fail or refused to pay your student loan.
8. Refusing to Appear in Court
Refusing to appear in court after you have been summoned may get your driver’s license suspended. It doesn’t matter whether the court process is driving-related or not.
9. Using Your Drivers License Illegally
Using your driver’s license illegally can have it suspended. Illegal use of a driver’s license includes giving your license to someone (maybe your twin) to drive, giving it to someone who is underage to go to clubs and buy/drink alcohol, etc.
Your driving license belongs to you and to you alone. On no account should another person use it for anything to avoid having it suspended.
Remember that, having your license suspended is not the issue, the problem is having it reinstated. The process you must follow, coupled with the mandated therapy/rehabilitation/teaching sessions you must undergo, trust me, you don’t want to suffer like that.
10. Failure to Pay Child Support
While some states may not suspend your driving license for failing or missing to pay your child support, others will. So, to avoid this kind of trouble, pay up and clear your name.
11. Running From Police
Some states will have your license suspended if you deliberately flee from the police and cause a police chase. Engaging in a chase with the police will amount to reckless driving which is also one of the reasons your license can be suspended.
How to Find Out If Your Driver License is Suspended
The best way to know if your driver’s license is suspended is:
- Through Your Email: You can find out if your license is suspended through your email. If your license is suspended, the DMV will send the information to you in the email, so you are advised to check your email.
- Through The DMV: If you are suspecting that your driving license is suspended, you can contact the DMV and have them check the status of your license for you. Some states even made it possible to do this online.
- Through Your Insurance Company: Your insurance company is in the best play to tell you if your license is still valid or not. All you have to do is to contact them.
How to Prevent Your Driver’s License from Being Suspended
- Driver Carefully: Drive carefully and avoid any form of reckless driving
- Do Not Cause an Accident: Avoid driving in a way that can cause an accident
- Avoid Accumulating Too Many Points: You should avoid accumulating so many points that may have your license suspended
- Avoid Police Chase: On no account should you lead police to a chase. This can have your license suspended with immediate effect
- Do Not Drive Under the Influence: Since driving under the influence affects your driving judgments and skills, you should never drive while drunk
- Never Use Your License Illegally: Engaging in illegal activities with your driver’s license is a sure way to have it suspended. Avoid doing this.
- Driving While on Probation: If you are not supposed to drive while on probation, going against the probation terms and driving may get your license suspended.
How to Reinstate Your Suspended Drivers License
There are different methods by which your suspended driver’s license can be reinstated. These methods however vary from state to state.
- You may be enrolled in a driver safety course or any form of driving school where you relearn all you have learned so far. They may make it mandatory.
- You will be requested to pay the driver’s license reinstatement fee which varies from one state to another.
- You may also need a special insurance form that will qualify you for a reinstated license.
Conclusion
Having your driving license suspended deprives you of the right to drive. Therefore, avoid anything that can lead to license suspension and if perhaps your license is suspended, learn your lessons and follow the right procedure as stated by your state of residence to have it reinstated.