Losing your driver’s license is a big deal. It can be a blow to your self-esteem or it can affect your employment. It is, honestly, a pretty drastic measure taken by your state to keep you from repeating an irresponsible choice, like driving under the influence of alcohol. In New York, as soon as you are arrested for a DWI, you are subjected to the state’s “Prompt Suspension” law. In other words, as soon as you are arrested for DWI, you will lose your license to drive.
The majority of states have a similar policy to New York’s when it comes to a DWI. If you are booked, you lose your license until you get back into court for your DWI hearing. Until then, you have a suspended license, but with a small grace period (10 days in New York) so you can get your affairs in order. After that, in order to resume driving, you will have to have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle. If you are convicted of a DWI in New York, you will be required to install an ignition interlock device, as well, even if it is your first DWI conviction.
New York may also require that you attend a victims’ impact panel or that you complete a substance abuse evaluation. If your blood alcohol concentration is significantly higher than the .08 percent “per se” legal limit, the time you are required to use and maintain an ignition interlock could increase.
The prompt suspension isn’t a bad thing, really. In states like New York where the DWI law allows for a prompt, administrative suspension of a driver’s license, more options are opened up to the offender to jump start the recovery process. Mistakes happen, and when you have a chance to do better, there is nothing stopping you from cleaning up your mess and moving along. A license suspension after a DWI in New York could be the chance you need to get yourself together and enough reason to pledge to never drive while intoxicated, again.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.