Driving on a Suspended License After a DUI in California: Consequences Explained
If your driver’s license was suspended after a DUI conviction, you already know how disruptive that can be. Losing the ability to drive to work, school, or even just handle daily errands creates major challenges. But if you’re caught driving on a suspended license in California, especially when that suspension stems from a DUI, the situation can quickly go from bad to worse.
Here’s what you need to know about the legal penalties, possible defenses, and why contacting an experienced San Diego DUI lawyer right away can make all the difference.
Why Your License Was Suspended After a DUI
After a DUI arrest in California, there are actually two separate suspensions that can occur:
- Administrative Suspension (DMV): This happens automatically if you don’t request a DMV hearing within 10 days of your arrest. It’s separate from the criminal case.
- Court-Imposed Suspension: If you’re convicted of DUI, the judge may impose an additional suspension period, often lasting months or even years depending on prior offenses.
Many drivers think their license is automatically reinstated once the suspension period ends but that’s not the case. You usually must pay reinstatement fees, complete DUI school, and show proof of SR-22 insurance before your driving privileges are officially restored.
What Happens If You’re Caught Driving on a Suspended License (VC 14601.2)
California Vehicle Code §14601.2(a) makes it illegal to drive when your license was suspended due to a DUI. The penalties for violating this section are strict because the state views it as a willful disregard for a prior court order.
For a first offense:
- Minimum 10 days to 6 months in jail
- Fines between $300 and $1,000
- Possible probation
- Additional license suspension
- Requirement to install an ignition interlock device (IID)
For a second or subsequent offense:
- Minimum 30 days in jail
- Higher fines (up to $2,000)
- Longer IID and suspension periods
These are criminal penalties, not just traffic infractions, so a conviction goes on your record and can affect employment, insurance rates, and professional licensing.
What If You Didn’t Know Your License Was Still Suspended?
It’s more common than you might think. Many people assume their license was reinstated or never received notice of the suspension. In those cases, a key defense may involve lack of notice, if the DMV didn’t properly inform you, or you genuinely believed you had valid driving privileges, your attorney can use that to challenge the charge.
Other potential defenses include:
- You weren’t actually driving (for example, sitting in a parked car)
- Emergency circumstances justified limited driving
- Errors in DMV records led to a mistaken suspension
Why You Need an Experienced DUI Defense Lawyer
Driving on a suspended license after a DUI may sound like a minor offense, but prosecutors take it seriously, particularly in San Diego County, where DUI enforcement is aggressive. A conviction can trigger mandatory jail time and make reinstating your license even harder.
San Diego DUI attorney, Rick Mueller, knows exactly how to challenge evidence, negotiate with prosecutors, and protect your driving rights. He’s helped countless San Diego drivers avoid extended suspensions, reduce charges, and move forward after a DUI-related arrest.
Take Action Before It Gets Worse
If you’ve been cited or arrested for driving on a suspended license after a DUI, don’t face it alone. The longer you wait, the fewer options you may have.
Rick Mueller, San Diego’s Top DUI Defense Specialist, can review your case, explain your options, and fight to protect your future and your license.
Contact Rick Mueller today for a confidential free consultation.
Driving on a Suspended License After a DUI in California: Consequences Explained