Things to Know About Applying for Specialized Driving Privileges
When a person has their driver’s license suspended in Indiana, it can make even the simplest everyday tasks very difficult to accomplish. After a suspension, you may not know how you are going to get to work, drive your children to school or even perform simple errands such as getting groceries.
If your driver’s license has been suspended due to a DUI conviction, multiple driving infractions, or another reason, you may be able to apply for specialized driving privileges. Below, our Indianapolis license rehabilitation lawyers explain in greater detail.
What are Specialized Driving Privileges?
Generally speaking, specialized driving privileges allow a person with a suspended driver’s license to drive to and from certain locations. Only an Indiana court can grant these privileges and they are very specific to the situation of the individual applicant.
The courts in Indiana will often only grant special driving privileges for life essentials, like employment, childcare, and medical care. If the suspension is related to a criminal conviction, driving for court or sentencing obligations are usually granted as well.
If specialized driving privileges are granted, the court may also provide strict parameters that drivers must abide by. These can include the days on which a person can drive and the times at which they can drive. If the petitioner’s driving license was suspended due to certain circumstances, such as an OWI charge, the court may also require additional conditions, such as installing an ignition interlock device in the vehicle.
Who is Eligible for Specialized Driving Privileges?
According to state law, almost anyone can petition the courts for specialized driving privileges if the license suspension is associated with criminal charges and the operation of a motor vehicle was an element of the crime. Individuals who cannot petition for specialized driving privileges include:
- Someone who has never been a resident of Indiana
- A person convicted of operating a motor vehicle causing death
- A person who had their driver’s license suspended due to a refusal to submit to a certified chemical test related to an OWI
- Someone whose driver’s license has been revoked after they were found unfit or incompetent to operate a motor vehicle
- A person who refused to stop for a school bus that was stopped with its arm extended
- A person who has been convicted of violating the terms of previously issued specialized driving privileges
Our License Rehabilitation Lawyer in Indianapolis Can Help with Your Case
Persuading the court that you should be awarded specialized driving privileges is never easy. At Rigney Law, LLC, our Indianapolis license rehabilitation lawyers can advise on whether you are eligible and build a strong case that can help you get back on the road and cause as little interference in your case as possible. Call us now at 317-623-0989 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
Source:
iga.in.gov/laws/2022/ic/titles/9/#9-30-16-1