While some motorists regard driving as a basic right, the fact is that operating a motor vehicle is a privilege that must be earned and maintained by demonstrating safe and lawful driving. Under certain circumstances, an individual's Connecticut driver's license may be suspended or revoked for a specific length of time, depending on the person's driving record or history, and the particular violation(s).

REASONS FOR DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENSIONS

There are a variety of reasons why your Connecticut driver's license might be suspended. Some of these are related to specific driving violations, while others may be due to violation of other State laws. Following are some of the most common reasons for a Connecticut driver's license to be suspended or revoked.

• Excessive Moving Violations. The state of Connecticut operates on a point system, in which drivers accumulate points on their license for every moving violation they commit. If you accumulate 12 or more points on your current driver record, your license will be suspended.
• Driving Under the Influence. Your Connecticut driver's license will be suspended if you are found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The length of the suspension depends on the severity of the violation and whether it is a first or repeat offense. If your body alcohol content (BAC) is more than 0.08% and less than 1.6% you will face a suspension for 90 days for a first offense, nine months for a second and two years for a third or subsequent offenses. If your BAC is over 1.6% then it will be a period of 120 days, 10 months or two and a half years. If you are less than 21 years of age, the suspension period will be 180 days for a first offense, 18 months for a second and four and a half years for a third and subsequent offences.
• Refusal to take a blood/alcohol test. If you refuse to do this, your license will be suspended for six months for a first offense, a year for a second and three years for a third and subsequent offenses.
• Driving with a Suspended License or no License. Driving with a suspended license will lead to an increase in the length of the suspension, and you may also be imprisoned for up to five years. The duration of the additional suspension varies depending on the reason for the underlying suspension. Your driver's license may also be suspended if you do not have your license with you while you are driving. A minimum sentence of one year and a maximum of five years is the penalty.
• Driving without Insurance. All motor vehicles driven in Connecticut must be properly insured. Failure to provide proof of valid auto insurance can result in your license being suspended. A minimum period of 30 days and a maximum of 6 months can be imposed if you have inadequate insurance.
• Other Driving-Related Violations. Your Connecticut driver's license may also be suspended if you engage in reckless driving, are found to be at fault in a fatal accident, or if you abandon your vehicle on a public highway.
• Physical or Psychological Disqualification. The Department of Motor Vehicle‘s Chief Administrator can order a re-examination of any person who may not be fit to drive. An individual's driving privileges may be suspended if the re-examination finds they are physically or psychologically unable to drive safely.
• Non-Driving Reasons for License Suspension. A variety of non-driving violations or issues can result in your license being suspended. These include: not responding to a Motor Vehicle Commission notice or not appearing in court; failing to pay traffic tickets, fines or surcharges; and not paying child support.
• Out of State Parking Tickets. If you have not paid your out of state parking tickets, the DMV can suspend your license until you provide proof of payment from the out of state municipalities.
• Unpaid Connecticut Property Taxes. Failure to pay your property tax will also result in a suspension. Once again, you will need to provide proof of payment before your license will be reinstated.
• Money owed to the DMV. Unpaid sales tax, administrative fees and money due to the DMV because of bounced checks are also grounds for suspension.
• Operator Retraining Program. Failure to attend such a program will result in suspension.

The following infractions result in an automatic suspension of your license.

• False Statements or Reports. If found guilty of this, you could face a suspension of a minimum of six months and a maximum of a year.
• Improper use of Marker, Registration or License. This results in a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of a year.
• Reckless Driving. A minimum period of 30 days and a maximum of 90 days is the suspension period for this.
• Failure to pull over. This incurs a minimum period of one year and a maximum of one and half years.
• Evading responsibility. This will result in a suspension for a minimum period of one year and a maximum of five years.
• Racing. A minimum of 60 days and a maximum of 6 months suspension will be imposed for racing.
• Misrepresentation of your age to obtain liquor. This will incur suspension for a period of 150 days.
• Obtaining liquor by a false statement or by a person who is not allowed to do so. This will incur suspension for a period of 150 days.
• Minors possessing alcohol. This results in a suspension for a period of 150 days. If you are caught in a public place or a highway, the suspension will be for 60 days. If caught on private property or a place other than a highway or public area, the suspension period is 30 days.
• Second Degree Manslaughter with a Vehicle. The period is one year.
• Second Degree Assault. The period is one year.
• Using a Vehicle without the Owner's Permission. The period is one year.
• Interfering with a Vehicle. The minimum period is 30 days and the maximum a year.

If you believe your license has been suspended due to one of the reasons listed above it is advisable to speak with a Traffic Ticket Attorney or DUI Attorney.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CONNECTICUT DRIVER'S LICENSE IS SUSPENDED

Having your Connecticut driver's license suspended is a serious matter and it is essential to adhere to State law in the event that your license is suspended. The three most important things to be aware of following a license suspension are:

1. If your license has not already been taken away from you in court, you must surrender it to the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. You can surrender your license in person at a DMV Office, or mail it to:

   Department of Motor Vehicles
   60 State Street
   Wethersfield, CT 06161    

2. While your license is suspended, you are not permitted to drive. If you are found driving with a suspended license, you may be imprisoned for up to five years, and/or the length of your suspension may be increased.
3. After your suspension is over, you will receive a written notice of restoration, with instructions on how to restore your license. Do not drive until you have completed the necessary steps and received a valid, replacement license from the Connecticut DMV.
4. You can also apply for a Special Permit. You will need to complete an application form and mail it to the address given above. You may also call (860) 263 5720 (if you have a touch tone telephone), press 1 and then 7 and follow the instructions.

APPEALING A SUSPENSION

If you receive a Notice of Scheduled Suspension from the DMV, and you wish to challenge the suspension, you may request a hearing in court. An administrative law judge or the DMV Chief Administrator will hear your case, and determine whether your driver's license should be suspended or not. In addition, drivers whose license may be suspended due to accumulating excessive points may be eligible to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program. Completing a Driver Improvement Program removes three points from the current driving record, and in some cases can enable an individual to avoid having his license suspended. Drivers who are 24 years of age or younger and have two or more moving or suspension violations, must attend an Operator Retraining Program. Drivers who are 25 years and older and have three or more moving or suspension violations must attend the program as well. The classes cost $60 per session. For more information on this program, check here.

RESTORING YOUR LICENSE

You will receive a Notice of Restoration from the DMV after you have completed your suspension period. The notice will include complete instructions regarding how to get your license back. Generally, you will need to:

1. Call (860) 263 5720 to obtain information on restoration and suspension. All requests must be processed by mail. You will have to write to the address given below:

   Department of Motor Vehicles
   60 State Street
   Wethersfield, CT 06161    

2. Apply for a standard license renewal to obtain a new license.

Note that after your license is restored, you will be subject to a Mandatory Probation Period of one year, during which any new violations may result in an additional suspension of your Connecticut driver's license.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Check the CT Point System.
• See also Auto Insurance.
• See also DUI and DUI Attorneys.
• See also Traffic Tickets and Traffic Ticket Attorneys.