Suspended – Revoked License in New York
Fines and Fees
Suspended license: $500 – $1,500 and up
Insurance
Insurance Increase – $258.06
Total policy increase – $774.18
Ticket Counsel Customers
Suspended license: $0 – $400
SUSPENDED LICENSE INFORMATION FOR NEW YORK
(SEE BELOW FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) INFORMATION)
There is a difference between having your New York 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 an Ticket Counsel absolutely FREE!!!
REASONS FOR DRIVER’S LICENSE SUSPENSIONS IN NEW YORK
There are a variety of reasons why your New York 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. If you’re convicted of a criminal offense, you may be subject to extra reinstatement requirements with state or federal courts in addition to those required by the DMV. Be sure to follow every instruction provided by the DMV, the Traffic Violation Bureau (TVB), and/or the criminal court. Unresolved suspensions will remain on your NY driving record forever. For a complete list of violations leading to a suspended driver’s license, visit the NY DMV website. The following are some of the most common reasons for a New York driver’s license to be suspended or revoked.
- Excessive Moving Violations: The state of New York operates on a point system, in which drivers accumulate points on their license for every moving violation they commit. If you accumulate 11 or more points in an 18-month period, your license will be revoked or suspended. You have the option of attending a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (AJL) or you may accept the suspension for 31 days.
- Driving Under the Influence: Your New York 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. The penalties are:
- A 1st offense is considered a misdemeanor. The punishment is a $500 to $1,000 fine, possible imprisonment for up to 1 year, and a minimum of a 6-month license revocation.
- A 2nd offense within 10 years is considered a crime. The fine is $1,000 to $5,000, possible imprisonment for up to 4 years, and a minimum of 1-year license revocation.
- A 3rd offense within 10 years is considered a crime. The fine is $2,000 to $10,000, possible imprisonment for up to 7 years, and a minimum of 1-year license revocation. You might also have to undergo a Driver Responsibility Program for which you will have to pay additional costs. Refusing to take the chemical test will also result in suspension of your license for at least 1 year.
The violations and revocation/ suspension periods are given below:
- If you have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.18% or are charged with Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated: 1-year revocation.
- Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or with a BAC of 0.08%: 6 month revocation.
- Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) by a Drug: 6-month suspension.
- Any DWI, DWAI, Drug or BAC of 0.08% violation within 10 years of a previous violation: 1-year revocation.
- Driving While Ability Impaired by Alcohol (DWAI) or with a BAC of 0.05% to 0.07%: 90-day suspension.
- A DWAI committed within 5 years of any previous drug or alcohol violation: 6-month revocation.
- 1st alcohol or drug related violation by a person, except Zero Tolerance, under 21: 1 year revocation.
- 2nd alcohol or drug related violation by a person, except Zero Tolerance, under 21: revocation for 1 year or until age 21.
- 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.
- Driving without Insurance: All motor vehicles driven in New York must be properly insured. Failure to provide proof of valid auto insurance can result in your license being revoked for 1 year. If you allow another person to use your uninsured vehicle or if the uninsured vehicle is involved in an accident, the same penalty applies.
- Other Driving-Related Violations: Your New York 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. Other reasons include speeding, leaving the scene of an accident without giving aid, fleeing from a police officer, accumulating 3 speeding violations 18 months, getting 3 tickets within 3 years for passing a school bus.
- Physical or Psychological Disqualification: The Department of Motor Vehicles 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 Department of Motor Vehicles notice or not appearing in court; failing to pay traffic tickets, fines or surcharges; and not paying child support or issuing checks that bounce. Failure to file an accident report or to comply with a court judgment about an accident will also lead to suspension. If you are involved in a car accident resulting in property damage greater than $1,001, you must file a Report of Motor Vehicle Accident (Form MV-104) with the New York DMV within 10 days after the accident. You will need to respond to your ticket, pay the fee, or pay the mandatory surcharges to remove the suspension. The suspension period will be indefinite in the above cases. The suspension will be in effect until you have dealt with the reason for the suspension. If you fail to pay a ticket or a fine on at least 20 different dates, you can be charged with “aggravated failure to answer tickets” or “failure to pay fines”. This offense is considered a misdemeanor and carries with it a fine of $500, a compulsory surcharge and jail time up to 180 days. You can be arrested even if you are not driving a motor vehicle for this offense.
- Junior Licenses: If you are convicted of a serious traffic violation (3 points or more) or any other 2 violations, your license will be suspended for 60 days. It will be revoked for 60 days if you commit a serious violation or any two violations within the first 6 months of receiving your license or permit after a suspension or revocation.
- For Drivers aged 18 and older: If you are 18 or older and pass your road exam, you will be on probation for 6 months. If during this probationary period, you are charged and convicted of speeding, reckless driving, following too closely, taking part in a speed contest, your license will be suspended for 60 days. Once again when you receive your license you will be on probation for 6 months. If during this 2nd probationary you are convicted once again of the violations listed above, your license will be revoked for at least 6 months. Your license will be suspended for 90 days if you are guilty of Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) by drugs or liquor and revoked for 6 months if you are found guilty of DUI.
- Illegal Use of your License or Non Driver ID card: If you use your ID card/license to illegally purchase liquor your driver license or the right to apply for a license will be suspended.
- Other Violations: These include:
- Homicide, assault or criminal negligence while operating a motor vehicle: your license will be revoked for a minimum of 6 months.
- Giving false information on a driving license or registration application or using another person for a road test. If the criminal courts convict you, your revocation period is 6 months. If a DMV Administrative Law Judge conducts the proceedings, your revocation period will be 1 year.
- Speed contest: a 6-month revocation and a 2nd speed contest within 3 years is a 1-year revocation.
- 3 speeding and/or misdemeanor traffic violations within 18 months: 6-month revocation.
- 3 violations for passing a school bus within 3 years: 6-month revocation.
- Fleeing the scene of an accident where there is a personal injury or fatality: 6-month revocation.
ACTIONS TO TAKE IF YOUR NEW YORK DRIVER’S LICENSE IS SUSPENDED
Having your New York driver’s license suspended is a serious matter and it is essential to adhere to State law in the event that your license is suspended. If you believe your license may be suspended due to one of the reasons listed above it is prudent to speak with a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer. The most important things to be aware of following a license suspension are:
- If your license has not already been taken away from you in court, you must surrender it to the New York Department of Motor Vehicles. You can surrender your license in person at a local DMV office, or mail it to:
NYS DMV
6 Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12228
- While your license is suspended, you are not permitted to drive. If you are found driving with a suspended license, you may be imprisoned for up to 5 years, and the length of your suspension may be increased.
- After your suspension is over, you will receive a written notice of restoration, with instructions on how to restore your license. Do not drive until you have completed the necessary steps and received a valid, replacement license from the New York DMV.
- You may be eligible for a hardship license that permits you to drive to work/school or to receive medical attention. The letter the DMV will send you will indicate whether you are eligible for such a license.
CHECK YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE STATUS
NEW YORK SUSPENSION HEARINGS & APPEALS
The Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) handles non-criminal moving violations in each of the 5 boroughs of NYC, Buffalo, and Rochester for the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You will likely be required to attend a TVB hearing if you’re ticketed for:
- Speeding/misdemeanors.
- Violations during the new driver probationary period.
- Traffic violations adding up to more than 11 points.
NOTE: State/federal courts handle criminal offenses and may enforce suspensions and other penalties in addition to those from the NY DMV.
- New York DMV Administrative Hearings: The DMV may require you to show up for an administrative hearing for your driver license suspension. You are considered innocent until proven guilty. When you plead “not guilty” to a moving violation, your case will be forwarded to the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who will make a judgment and set your penalty. The ALJ has the authority to suspend/revoke your license and vehicle registration in the interest of safety.
You can plead “not guilty” or “guilty” to your ticket by Using the online Traffic Ticket Pleas, Hearings and Payments system or checking the “not guilty” or “guilty” box on your ticket and mailing it in within 15 days of the recorded violation date to the address listed on the form.
You must submit payment for a guilty plea by VISA, MasterCard, check, or money order (made payable to “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles”).
If you plead “not guilty,” the DMV will mail you instructions about when and where to go. The NYS DMV website provides a list of TVB offices in New York.
- Postpone Your Hearing: If needed, you can request for your traffic ticket hearing to be rescheduled:
- By phone: Contact the Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB) at (718) 488-5710 at least 1 day before your hearing.
- In person: Visit the TVB address listed on your NY traffic ticket at least 1 day before your hearing.
- By mail: Send your request to the TVB at the address listed on your ticket.
NOTE: The TVB must receive your request at least 10 days before your scheduled hearing. For subsequent postponements, the TVB administrative law judge will require you to make your request in person. You must have an acceptable reason.
- Appeal your Hearing Decision: You can appeal the result of your TVB hearing within 30 days of the decision. The TVB does NOT process convictions that: occurred within a local court, resulted from criminal violations, or resulted from unpaid parking tickets. You can appeal the result of your hearing either online or by mail:
To appeal online, visit the TVB Traffic Ticket Appeal page and enter your: Traffic ticket number, client ID number, e-mail address, full name, mailing address, payment for the non-refundable $10 fee.
To appeal by mail, send a completed Traffic Violations Bureau Appeal (Form AA-33) and payment for the non-refundable $10 fee to: Appeals Processing Unit DMV, P.O. Box 2935, Albany, NY, 12220-0935
Drivers whose license may be suspended due to accumulating excessive points may be eligible to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program. Completing a Driver Improvement Program removes 4 points from the current driving record. It is also a good idea to seek the advice of a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer, based on the reason for the suspension.
REINSTATE YOUR SUSPENDED NEW YORK DRIVER’S LICENSE
- Definite Suspensions: If your driver’s license is suspended for a specific period of time, you will need to pay your suspension termination fees in order to restore it. You can pay up to 10 suspension termination fees per day online. To pay your fees online, visit the NY DMV website and enter your: Client ID number from your NY driver’s license or full name, date of birth and gender, last 4 digits of your Social Security number (if filed with the NY DMV), credit or debit card number (see “Fees to Reinstate Your Suspended License” below), and e-mail address.
The New York DMV will restore your driver’s license 2 business days after you submit your payment OR on the end date of your suspension. Please confirm the status of your driver’s license before you drive a vehicle on NY roads. If you want the NY DMV to send you a new driver’s license, make sure the address you have on file is up to date.
NOTE: You cannot pay traffic ticket fines or surcharges or civil penalties on this system.
- Driver Responsibility Assessment: When your driver’s license is suspended for a traffic conviction, you will need to pay a Driver Responsibility Assessment fee before your license is reinstated. The DMV will mail you a statement that includes the minimum amount you must pay. You can pay the fee online, by mail, or in person at a New York DMV office. Follow the instructions on your notice. To pay your driver responsibility assessments online, visit the Driver Responsibility Assessment online system and enter either: your client ID number from your NY driver’s license, OR your name, gender, and date of birth; the last 4 digits of your Social Security number (SSN)(if you don’t have a SSN, enter “9999”), submit payment for your fees using a credit or debit card (the system will display exactly how much you must pay), and provide an e-mail address.
- Civil Penalties: You will have to pay driver civil penalties if your driver’s license was revoked or suspended under the NY Zero Tolerance Law. You can pay your fees: Online, by mail to the Driver Improvement Unit, or in person at your local NY DMV office. To pay online, visit the Driver License Civil Penalty Payment page and enter your: client ID number OR full name, date of birth and gender, last 4 digits of your Social Security number OR 9999 (if you do not have one on file), credit or debit card number to pay for your fees (the online system will show how much you must pay), and e-mail address.
NOTE: If you need to pay a civil penalty for a vehicle registration suspension due to a lapse in insurance, please visit the Insurance Civil Penalty Payment page.
- Out-of-State Ticket Suspensions: New York Drivers: The New York DMV will suspend your NY driver’s license if you fail to respond to an out-of-state moving violation, unless the violation was in: Alaska, California, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, Wisconsin. Your license will be suspended until you resolve the violation.
Out-of-State Drivers: If you live outside of New York (except in the above states) but fail to respond to your NYS traffic ticket, your driver license will be suspended until you resolve it.
Even if you do not have a NYS driver’s license, the NY DMV will maintain a record of your suspension. To find out the status of your NY driver’s license, you must order your driving record by mail. For more information, see our Driving Records in New York page.
NOTE: If you have paid your traffic ticket but your NYS driving record does not show the suspension as “terminated,” contact the NY state DMV directly.
- General Suspension: 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. If you are a New York resident, generally, you will need to:
- Pay a restoration fee of $25 unless the suspension was for a violation under the New York State Zero Tolerance law, for which the fee is $125. The fee can be paid online or in person at a local DMV office. You can also mail a check or money order payable to:
NYS DMV
6 Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12228
- After you have paid the fee (it must be paid before the suspension period ends), wait for 3 days and check the Photo ID Document Mailing Lookup Enter your client ID as given on your driving license or your name and date of birth. If the page shows a processing date, your document was processed and mailed to you. If there is no date contact the DMV about other ways of restoring your license.
Note that after your license is restored, you will be subject to a mandatory probation period during which any new violations may result in an additional suspension of your New York driver’s license.
REINSTATE YOUR REVOKED NEW YORK DRIVER’S LICENSE
When your driver license is revoked, the NY DMV considers it cancelled. Once the revocation period is over, you’ll be required to apply for a new driver license and appeal for your privilege to drive. However, before you can restore your revoked driver’s license, you must first request approval from the NY DMV Driver Improvement Unit. You will need to:
- Serve the revocation period in full.
- Resolve any license suspensions (if applicable).
- Pay suspension termination fees, re-application fees, or civil penalties. (See “Fees to Reinstate Your Suspended License”.)
You can request approval either online or by mail. If you submit your request for approval by mail, you must wait until 30 days before the end of your revocation period. The NY DMV can take up to 12 weeks to process your request.
Once you receive an approval, apply for your driver license in person at your local NY DMV office. You may still be required to pass the written and road test to obtain your new driver’s license in NY.
Please visit the NY DMV Revocation page for information about special cases and additional requirements for specific revocation types.
- Online: To apply for approval to restore your license online, visit the My DMV Restoration After Revocation page and sign up for a My DMV account (if you don’t already have one). This process is much quicker than submitting your request by mail. As described above, you must pay all required fees, including your re-application fee and civil penalties (if applicable). The online application will show details about the specific fees you’re required to pay.
- By Mail: To apply for approval by mail, complete the Application for Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (Form MV-44). For specific instructions, view the How to Apply for a New York Driver License (Form MV-44.1) document. If you’re an out-of-state driver, complete a Request for NYS Driving Privileges (Form DS-115) instead. Mail your application to:
Driver Improvement Unit
NYS DMV
6 Empire State Plaza, Room 338
Albany, NY 12228
NOTE: The Driver Improvement Unit (DIU) does not accept payment for traffic tickets.
RESTRICTED NEW YORK DRIVER’S LICENSE
In some cases, the New York DMV offers conditional and restricted licenses, which allow you to operate your vehicle with limited privileges. The NY DMV will notify you by mail with instructions on how to proceed if you’re eligible. Ineligible drivers may consider applying for an ID card as a form of identification.
NOTE: By law, you are required to notify your employer within 30 days of receiving a traffic offense conviction or by the end of the next business day after receiving a CDL disqualification notice.
FEES TO REINSTATE YOUR RESTRICTED LICENSE
Depending on the type of violation, your NY driver license suspension will involve a variety of fees. Refer to the correspondence you receive from your local court, state/federal court, or Traffic Violations Bureau for an exact breakdown of fees. In addition to paying any civil penalties, tickets, fines, or other charges, you must pay the following DMV suspension termination fees:
- Definite suspensions: $50.
- Indefinite suspensions: $70.
- Zero Tolerance Law violations: $100.
- Out-of-state drivers (without a NYS license application): $25.
For more information about re-application fees, civil penalties, and revoked licenses in New York, read the NYS DMV guide.
Acceptable Payment Methods: You can pay your re-application fee online with American Express, Discover/Novus, MasterCard, or VISA. If you pay by mail, enclose a certified check or money order made payable to “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.” For payments made in person, contact your local NY DMV office for accepted payment methods.
NOTE: By law, you are required to notify your employer within 30 days of receiving a traffic offense conviction or by the end of the next business day after receiving a CDL disqualification notice.
COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) SUSPENSIONS IN NEW YORK
CDL’s are suspended more easily than standard licenses. This is because commercial drivers are held to very high standards. Your New York commercial drivers license (CDL) can be suspended whether you violate traffic laws or commit crimes in New York or out of state. Additionally, Your CDL may be disqualified for violations committed in both commercial and non-commercial vehicles. Depending on your offense, you may face both state and federal suspensions and charges. If your standard New York driver’s license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled, the NY DMV will also revoke your commercial driving privileges. On your 2nd offense related to alcohol, a controlled substance, or a felony violation, you will lose your NY commercial driver’s license for life.
The New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will suspend or revoke your commercial driver license (CDL) for various reasons, including:
- Habitual traffic violations.
- Alcohol or drug-related offenses.
- Driving an uninsured vehicle.
- Failing to pay traffic tickets.
In addition to suspensions received from the NY DMV, you may also be subject to further court penalties. You must follow all instructions mailed to you by the New York DMV, Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB), and/or criminal court.
DO NOT drive your commercial motor vehicle (CMV) if your driving privileges are disqualified for any reason. The period of your CDL suspension or revocation in New York will vary depending on the type of offense and the status of your NY driving record. Your CDL will be disqualified for reasons including:
- Operating a CMV with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04% or higher. (0.02% or higher, if you are under 21 years old.)
- Driving any vehicle under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.
- Refusing a BAC test.
NOTE: When your privilege to drive a personal vehicle in New York is suspended, revoked, or canceled, your CDL will also be revoked. You will not be eligible for a hardship license to drive your CMV.
NEW YORK SUSPENSION PERIODS
The duration of your CDL suspension will depend on the type of conviction and the status of your driving record. In New York, your CDL can be suspended for:
- At least 1 year, for offenses including:
- Driving a CMV with a BAC of 0.04% or higher. (0.02%, if you are under 21.)
- Driving a passenger vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
- Driving any vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance.
- Refusing a BAC test.
- Leaving the scene of an accident without reporting it.
- At least 3 years, for committing any of the offenses above while in a CMV containing hazardous materials.
NOTE: You must notify your employer within 30 days of receiving a traffic conviction in NY.
For a complete list of CDL suspensions/revocation periods, visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.
If you refuse a chemical test as a commercial driver, your CDL will be suspended for 18 months. You will also be subject to a $550 civil penalty in order to re-apply for a new driver license.
NOTE: You may also face additional court fines and penalties. Visit the NY DMV website for a complete list of penalties for alcohol/drug-related offenses.
CHECK YOUR COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE STATUS
Convictions, license suspensions, and revocations will show up on your 3-year and 5-year driving records. You may be able to dismiss traffic tickets and remove points from your driving record by completing an online defensive driving course. Because your driving record can affect your auto insurance rates and even your employment, it’s crucial that you make sure your information is accurate.
NEW YORK CDL SUSPENSION HEARINGS & APPEALS
If you wish to contest a suspension due to a traffic violation, you can request a hearing with the Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB). You are considered innocent until proven guilty. To plead “not guilty” and request a hearing, visit the NYS DMV Traffic Ticket Pleas and Payments website. If your request is approved, you will be given details about your scheduled hearing.
For additional information about traffic hearings in New York, please visit the NY DMV website.
- Postpone Your Hearing: If you can’t make your scheduled hearing, you must request a postponement with the TVB: By mail at least 10 days before your scheduled hearing or in person/by phone at least 1 day before your hearing. To postpone your hearing for a traffic ticket issued within New York City:
- Mail your request to the Albany address on your ticket.
- Visit any TVB office in New York City.
- Or contact the TVB at (718) 488-5710.
To postpone your hearing for a traffic ticket issued outside of New York City:
- Mail your request to the TVB address listed on your ticket.
- Visit the TVB office listed on your ticket.
- Or call the TVB office number on your ticket.
- Appeal the Hearing Decision: If you want to appeal the outcome of your hearing, you must file your appeal within 30 days of the decision. To determine your eligibility, visit the NY DMV Appeal webpage. You can either file an appeal online, or by mail. To file an appeal by mail, you will need a completed Traffic Violation Bureau Appeal Form (AA-33) – (You can obtain this form from a TVB office.), and payment for the $10 fee.
Send the above to: Appeals Processing Unit, DMV, P.O. Box 2935, Albany, NY 12220-0935
REINSTATE YOUR NEW YORK CDL
The reinstatement process for your commercial driver license in New York will vary depending on the reason for your suspension. For details about the general reinstatement process for suspended NY driver licenses, please visit our Suspended License in New York page.
NOTE: If you’re convicted of a serious (or repeat) traffic violation as a commercial driver, you may face additional penalties. Please refer to your suspension notice for specific details how to reinstate your CDL.
FEES TO REINSTATE YOUR NEW YORK CDL
Your suspension notice will indicate exactly how much you must pay to reinstate your NY commercial driver’s license. Common reinstatement fees include:
- Definite suspensions: $50.
- Indefinite suspensions: $70.
- Out-of-state drivers (without a NY DMV license application): $25.
- Zero Tolerance Law violations: $100.
Visit the NYS DMV Guide to Suspensions & Revocations for more information.
NOTE: You may need to pay additional fines and fees depending on your offense. Refer to the correspondence you received from the New York Department of Motor Vehicles, Traffic Violations Bureau, and/or criminal court for more information.
Acceptable Payment Methods:
- Online: Online payments must be made using one of the following credit/debit cards: VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover/Novus.
- By Mail: Certified check or money order made payable to “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.”
- In Person: Please contact your local NY DMV office to find out acceptable payment methods for transactions made in person.
OBTAIN A RESTRICTED LICENSE IN NEW YORK
If you are eligible for a conditional or restricted-use license in New York, the NY DMV will mail you instructions on how to apply. Your suspension notice will also indicate whether or not you qualify.
NOTE: Please do NOT contact the New York Department of Motor Vehicles to find out about your eligibility to apply for a conditional or restricted-use license.
- Conditional Driver’s License: If your CDL was suspended for an alcohol or drug-related offense, you may be eligible for a conditional license. A conditional license can only be used to drive to and from authorized locations and cannot be used to drive a commercial vehicle. You do NOT qualify for a conditional driver license if any of the following apply:
- Your judge refused to allow you to attend a Drinking Driver Program (DDP) or receive a conditional license.
- You must attend a DDP to receive a conditional license.
- You do not have a valid NYS license or one that can be renewed.
- You have already attended a DDP within the past 5 years.
- You had another alcohol or drug-related offense within the past 5 years.
- Restricted Driver’s License: If your CDL was suspended for a non-alcohol or drug-related offense, you may be eligible for a restricted NY driver’s license. You will not be eligible for a restricted license in NY if any of the following apply:
- You do not have a valid NYS license or a NYS license that can be renewed.
- Your license has been suspended for less than 30 days.
- Your judge issued a suspension based on “the authority of the judge under the law (permissive suspension).”
- Your driver’s license has been suspended on another occasion within the past 3 years.
- You can end your license suspension through your own action (i.e. by paying a fine, traffic ticket, etc.).