(SEE BELOW FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) INFORMATION)

There is a difference between having your Connecticut driver’s license suspended and having it revoked.

• A suspension means you cannot drive for a certain period of time, but can get your license back later.
• A revocation of your license means your driver’s license is cancelled, and you will need to submit to an investigation before you can obtain another license.

Insurance companies keep a close watch on license suspensions / revocations. Your insurance premiums may go up drastically, and you may be labeled a “high-risk” customer. Even worse, your insurance company may cancel your policy, leaving you to search for insurance with the “high-risk” driver tag, meaning you’ll have to pay much higher premiums.

It is recommended that you get in touch with a DUI/DWI lawyer as they are experts at handling such incidents and can offer you the best advice. Additionally, you will face Heavy Fines and Reinstatement Fees, and Points on your driver’s license! All this information can be found on our website. You could also contact Ticket Counsel absolutely FREE!!!

There are a variety of reasons why your Connecticut driver’s license might be suspended. Some of these are related to specific driving violations, while others may be due to violation of other State laws. The following are some of the most common reasons for a Connecticut driver’s license to be suspended or revoked.

• Excessive Moving Violations: The state of Connecticut operates on a point system, in which drivers accumulate points on their license for every moving violation they commit. If you accumulate 10 or more points on your current driver record, your license will be suspended.
• Driving Under the Influence: Your Connecticut driver’s license will be suspended if you are found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The length of the suspension depends on the severity of the violation and whether it is a first or repeat offense.
  • If your body alcohol content (BAC) is:
    • More than 0.08% and less than 1.6%: you will face a suspension for 90 days for a 1st offense, 9 months for a 2nd offense and 2 years for a 3rd or subsequent offense.
    • If your BAC is over 1.6%: you will face a suspension for 120 days for a 1st offense, 10 months for a 2nd offense or 2 1/2 years for a 3rd or subsequent offense.
    • If you are under 21 years of age: the suspension period is 180 days for a 1st offense, 18 months for a 2nd offense or 4 1/2 years for a 3rd and subsequent offense.
  • Refusal to take a Blood/Alcohol Test: Your license will be suspended for 6 months for a 1st offense, 1 year for a 2nd offense and 3 years for a 3rd or subsequent offense.
  • Driving with a Suspended License or No License: Driving with a suspended license will lead to an increase in the length of the suspension, and you may also be imprisoned for up to 5 years. The duration of the additional suspension varies depending on the reason for the underlying suspension. Your driver’s license may also be suspended if you do not have your license with you while you are driving. A minimum sentence of 1 year and a maximum of 5 years is the penalty. You will also incur a fine of $150 to $200. Note the above penalties are for the 1st offense. Additional offenses can lead to higher fines, more jail time, and even more difficulty in reinstating your driving privileges.

NOTE: Teen drivers can have their license suspended or lose the privilege to apply for a license for a conviction of speeding, reckless driving, street racing, driving while using a cell phone or texting, or any violation of the teen driving restrictions set by the state.

• Driving without Insurance: All motor vehicles driven in Connecticut must be properly insured. Failure to provide proof of valid auto insurance can result in your license being suspended. A minimum period of 30 days and a maximum of 6 months can be imposed if you have inadequate insurance.
• Other Driving-Related Violations: Your Connecticut driver’s license may also be suspended if you engage in reckless driving, are found to be at fault in a fatal accident, or if you abandon your vehicle on a public highway.
• Physical or Psychological Disqualification: The Department of Motor Vehicles Chief Administrator can order a re-examination of any person who may not be fit to drive. An individual’s driving privileges may be suspended if the re-examination finds they are physically or psychologically unable to drive safely.
• Non-Driving Reasons for License Suspension: A variety of non-driving violations or issues can result in your license being suspended. These include: not responding to a Motor Vehicle Commission notice or not appearing in court; failing to pay traffic tickets, fines or surcharges; and not paying child support.
• Out of State Parking Tickets: If you have not paid your out of state parking tickets, the DMV can suspend your license until you provide proof of payment from the out of state municipalities.
• Unpaid Connecticut Property Taxes: Failure to pay your property tax will also result in a suspension. Once again, you will need to provide proof of payment before your license will be reinstated.
• Money owed to the DMV: Unpaid sales tax, administrative fees and money due to the DMV because of bounced checks are also grounds for suspension.
• Operator Retraining Program: Failure to attend such a program will result in suspension.

NOTE: The CT DMV provides of full list of reasons for suspension and the related penalties.

• False Statements or Reports: If found guilty, you would face a suspension of a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 1 year.
• Improper use of Marker, Registration or License: will result in a suspension minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 1 year.
• Reckless Driving: will result in a suspension minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 90 days.
• Failure To Pullover: will result in a suspension minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 1 1/2 years.
• Evading Responsibility: will result in a suspension minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 5 years.
• Racing: will result in a suspension minimum of 60 days and a maximum of 6 months.
• Misrepresentation of Age to Obtain Liquor: will incur suspension for a period of 150 days.
• Obtaining Liquor By: a false statement or by a person who is not allowed to do so will incur a suspension period of 150 days.
• Minors Possessing Alcohol: will result in a suspension of 150 days. If you are caught in a public place or a highway, the suspension will be for 60 days. If caught on private property or a place other than a highway or public area, the suspension period is 30 days.
• Second Degree Manslaughter with a Vehicle: The suspension period is 1 year.
• Second Degree Assault: The suspension period is 1 year.
• Using a Vehicle without the Owner’s Permission: The suspension period is 1 year.
• Interfering with a Vehicle: The suspension minimum is 30 days and the maximum is 1 year.

NOTE: The CT DMV provides of full list of reasons for suspension and the related penalties.

You will receive a Notice of Restoration from the DMV after you have completed your suspension period. The notice will include complete instructions regarding how to get your license back. Generally, you will need to:

• Obtain information on restoration and suspension by calling (860) 263-5720 OR via email to or [email protected].
• Apply for a standard license renewal to obtain a new license.
• Send in any required reinstatement documents (as indicated in your notice) at least 2 weeks prior to your eligibility date.
• Include a check or money order payable to the DMV for the $175 reinstatement fee.
• All requests must be processed by mail. You will have to write to the address given below:

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

60 STATE STREET

WETHERSFIELD, CT 06161

You are prohibited from driving again until you have received your restoration letter (which could take 10 days from the date the DMV receives your reinstatement paperwork) AND you’ve obtained a valid driver’s license.

Note: After your license is restored, you will be subject to a Mandatory Probation Period of 1 year, during which any new violations may result in an additional suspension of your Connecticut driver’s license.

CDL’s are suspended more easily than standard licenses. This is because commercial drivers are held to very high standards. Commercial drivers are required to notify their employers within 30 days of any traffic conviction.

Operating a commercial motor vehicle in any state puts you under state and federal regulations. The CT DMV follows federal guidelines set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can disqualify or suspend your commercial driver’s license (CDL) for:

Major Offenses:

• Having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04%.
• Refusing a breath or blood test (violating implied consent laws).
• Leaving the scene of an accident.
• Using the CMV to commit a felony, including the manufacturing and distributing of a controlled substance.
• Causing a fatality due to negligent CMV operation.
• Operating a CMV while you have a disqualified, suspended, or revoked commercial driver’s license.

Major Offense Penalties:

• 1st violation: CDL disqualification for 1 year. (3 years if transporting hazardous materials.)
• 2nd violation: CDL disqualification for life. (You may be eligible for CDL reinstatement after 10 years.)
• A court may impose a heavy fine of up to $5,000 and even jail time if you drive a commercial motor vehicle without a valid or suspended CDL. Courts may also fine or jail an employer who allows an employee with a suspended CT commercial driver’s license to drive a CMV.

Serious Traffic Violations:

• Excessive speeding or reckless driving.
• Making improper lane changes.
• Following vehicles too closely.
• Violating any motor vehicle traffic control law that results in a fatal accident.
• Operating a commercial vehicle without a CDL or proper endorsements, or without carrying your commercial CT driver’s license on your person.

Serious Traffic Violation Penalties:

• 1st violation: No disqualification.
• 2nd violation within 3 years: CDL disqualification for 60 days.
• 3rd violation within 3 years: CDL disqualification for 120 days.

Serious violations committed while driving in a non-commercial vehicle are not included UNLESS the violation leads to the suspension, revocation, or cancellation of your CT driver’s license or regular (non-CMV) driving privileges.

Railroad Highway Grade Crossing Violations:

• Failing to slow down and check that the tracks are clear.
• Failing to stop when required.
• Driving across the tracks when there isn’t sufficient space for the CMV.

Railroad Highway Grade Crossing Violation Penalties:

• 1st violation: CDL disqualification for 60 days minimum.
• 2nd violation within 3 years: CDL disqualification for 120 days minimum.
• 3rd violation and any subsequent violations within 3 years: At least 1 year.

Out-of-Service Order Violations:

OOSO violations are divided into Category 1 and Category 2 offenses. Category 1 includes violations related to hazardous materials and vehicles designed to transport at least 16 passengers. Penalties include:

• 1st violation: CDL disqualification of between 180 days and 2 years.
• 2nd violation within 10 years: CDL disqualification of 3 to 5 years.

Category 2 includes violations by drivers NOT in Category 1. Penalties include:

• 1st violation: CDL disqualification of between 180 days and 1 year.
• 2nd violation within 10 years: CDL disqualification of 2 to 5 years.
• 3rd violation: CDL disqualification of 3 to 5 years.

Drivers convicted of OOSO violations also face financial penalties:

• 1st violation: Minimum $2,500 fine.
• 2nd violation (or any subsequent convictions): Minimum $5,000 fine.

Your driving record gives you info about your driver license status, including:

• Whether your license is disqualified, suspended, or revoked.
• Information about traffic violations, from speeding tickets to serious violations like DUIs.

Understanding your driver license status can help you better navigate the CDL reinstatement process.