Most first time offenders convicted of a drinking and driving offense in the Rochester area may be eligible for the return of a full driver’s license after completing the Drinking Driver Program (DDP).

The exact steps that must be taken following completion of the DDP depends on if the drinking and driving offense resulted in a suspension or a revocation.

A first time offender convicted of Driving While Ability Impaired by Alcohol or – if under the age of 21 – found in violation of New York’s Zero Tolerance Law will have his or her driver’s license suspended.

After completing the DDP, the driver may have his or her full driver’s license restored by going to any state or county Department of Motor Vehicles’ office and paying a suspension termination fee.

This fee is currently $50 unless the suspension is for a violation of the Zero Tolerance Law, in which case it is $100.

Drivers under the age of 21 also must pay a $125 civil penalty to have their driver’s license reinstated.

A first time offender convicted of most other drinking and driving offenses, such as Driving While Intoxicated or Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, will have his or her driver’s license revoked.

The process for having this revocation lifted following completion of the DDP also involves bringing the driver’s conditional license to a Department of Motor Vehicles’ office and applying for a full driver’s license.

The actual process, however, will be more involved as the driver is essentially applying for a new license.

All fees associated with the revocation and re-licensing, including the Driver’s Responsibility Assessment, also must be paid before a new driver’s license will be issued.

An experienced DWI lawyer can help you understand the impact of a conviction on your driver’s license.

If you have any questions, call us at 585-484-7432.