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Getting a traffic ticket comes with legal repercussions, one of which could be suspension of one’s driver’s license. However, not all traffic tickets are the same, and the number of tickets on your record could make a difference.
Whether this is your first ticket or you have prior tickets, you need to understand what a conviction could mean for your ability to drive. You can count on the Syracuse traffic defense lawyers of Carden Dotzler Hammond, PLLC.
Suspension Versus Revocation
It’s important to first differentiate between a driver’s license suspension and a revocation. A suspension essentially means that your license is temporarily invalid and you cannot legally drive, either for a specific time period (definite) or until you take steps to lift the suspension (indefinite).
A revocation, on the other hand, is permanent. Your driver’s license is cancelled and you will have to apply for a new one once the revocation period ends if you wish to drive. This means taking the same written and driving tests that new license applicants must take.
How Traffic Tickets Can Lead to a License Suspension in Syracuse
You can expect a driver’s license suspension, in general, if you fail to either answer a traffic ticket or pay a fine associated with it. Certain actions related to your ticket, like refusing to submit to a breathalyzer test during the traffic stop, will result in an automatic suspension.
There are also specific driving offenses that can lead to a license suspension if the driver is ultimately convicted. These include tickets for:
- Driving without a valid automobile insurance policy
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Not following the applicable rules for new (junior) drivers
In some cases, it’s not a specific ticket but the accumulation of too many tickets within a certain time period that can result in a license suspension. This is where the New York license points apply. If you receive too many points for tickets within 24 months, expect a license suspension.
Lifting Your License Suspension
How and when you can lift your driver’s license suspension will depend on the traffic ticket for which you are convicted. It also depends on the type of suspension, definite (for a set period of time) or indefinite (until the driver takes steps or meets conditions).
With a definite suspension, a Syracuse driver cannot legally drive again until:
- The suspension period ends
- They pay a suspension termination fee
- They have a valid driver’s license
As for an indefinite suspension, the court will inform the driver of what they must do to lift the suspension. Common ways to do so include:
- Properly responding to the ticket, including pleading
- Paying the Driver Responsibility Assessment
- Obtaining automobile liability insurance
- Filing an accident report after a crash
Some drivers have to meet certain obligations outside of satisfying traffic tickets, such as paying outstanding taxes, in order to remove the suspension. If you have a suspended license, it’s important to learn how a knowledgeable traffic ticket attorney can assist you.
Did You Receive a Ticket? Let Us Handle It for You
Tickets can bring a world of problems to drivers, even besides a possible license suspension. You could be facing major fines, higher insurance premiums, and difficulty getting to work. Some tickets and driving offenses can even land drivers in jail.
The good news is that receiving a ticket does not mean you were guilty of the offense. You have the right to put forth a compelling legal defense, and our lawyers can help. If you have a traffic ticket in Syracuse or upstate New York, get in touch with CDH Law to get it resolved.