Here in North Carolina, you have 10 days to act, once you’ve been notified that your license is about to be suspended by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV). You’ll have to go to the DMV to request a hearing after you’ve received notification about an impending suspension. The DMV should also notify you of your eligibility for a hearing and the fees that will be associated with a hearing, if you choose to request a hearing. You should also be informed of the deadline for submitting a request by the DMV.
License suspension varies depending on the charge at hand. If you’re facing a second or third DWI charge, for instance, then you’re license may be suspended longer than if you only have one offense on your record. The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles has the following guidelines when it comes to license suspension. Those who have only one DWI infraction may face a suspension or revocation of one year. Those who have two DWI offenses on their record may face a suspension or revocation of two years. Those who have three DWI offenses or more may face permanent suspension or license revocation.
In addition, you will have your license suspended for a year if you have refused to take a breathalyzer test or another test to measure your BAC at the point of arrest. Under implied consent laws, you are required to submit to a BAC test when arrested for DWI here in the state of North Carolina — and a refusal to submit to a test is grounds to have your license revoked.
Now, a hearing may be requested to limit a license revocation. We may be able to have your license reinstated prior to the aforementioned date guidelines, or we may be able to have your case dropped altogether depending on the circumstances surrounding your case. In addition, if you dispute your DWI license revocation, you will be able to drive temporarily, and you may be eligible for a temporary license.
Yes. If you’re facing a third DWI conviction or a repeated conviction beyond three DWIs, then your license may be permanently revoked. However, we may be able to build a case to have your license reinstated after some time. Reach out to us to learn more about NCDMV revocations and the hearing process for license revocation.
A DMV hearing is a complex process, and you’ll have to obtain a variety of documents in order to make a case that you should be eligible to drive once again. You will have to collect proof of insurance, proof of an interlock device installation in your car (if you’re facing a DWI charge), and other documents to show that you’re prepared to drive once again. You’ll also need to show proof that you have completed or are attending an alcohol abuse treatment program — as may be required by the state. We’ll work with you to ensure that you understand all of the tasks that you need to complete and all of the paperwork and documentation you’ll need to have in hand as your DMV hearing approaches.
In addition, we may work with you to get witnesses that can testify to your good character on your behalf during the DMV hearing. We may request that you get character witnesses to speak during the hearing to make a case that you should be eligible to drive once again. We can also work with your witnesses to build a case that you take driving privileges seriously, in order to show the DMV that you may be a safe driver moving forward.