Losing your license is automatic after a conviction or guilty plea for a driving while impaired (DWI) offense in New York. Your previous driving record and aggravating factors of the time of your arrest, like the presence of children in your vehicle, will determine the exact penalties you face.
Losing your license can be one of the most difficult penalties to cope with after a DWI conviction. It can be hard to perform the duties of your job or meet the needs of your family members. Is it possible for you to continue driving after a DWI in New York?
New York does offer restricted, conditional licenses
If completely losing the ability to drive would create significant hardship for you or your immediate family members, you may be able to ask for a conditional license. With a conditional license, you can only drive in a limited number of situations.
You can drive yourself to and from your place of employment and any court-ordered appointments, like substance abuse courses. You could also attend medical appointments and take your children to school or child care. Essentially, the state limits you to family and professional obligations for driving.
Those who have a commercial driver’s license cannot resume their professional driving with a conditional license. It only applies to an individual, personal license. If someone violates the terms of their conditional license, they could lose it.
An IID can help you get back on the road
Those who have served their sentence and regained their license to drive will likely need to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicle. These devices require a chemical breath test before someone can start the vehicle and sometimes while they drive as well. Like with conditional licenses, those subject to an IID requirement can only drive a vehicle with an IID installed or risk a violation of the court order related to their offense.
Securing a conditional license or installing an IID in your vehicle can help you make the best of a difficult situation after a DWI arrest in New York. Understanding the options available can help you move forward while minimizing the long-term consequences of your DWI charge.