Legal Question in DUI Law in California

I got a DUI about 7 1/2 years ago in California, where I lived then and since. I paid all the related fines and did my community service. However, I didn't take the classes required to regain my license. I was tapped out at the time and because of where I lived near a downtown area and that I work from home, I wound up not feeling the need to drive. Worried about legal repercussions, I even contacted the police and DA, who said they didn't care as long as I didn't drive. So I just haven't.

But an illness in the family has led me to decide that I need to take care of this and get my license back so that I can share the burden with my siblings. So I just signed up for the class. And here is the crux of the matter. I understand that one is allowed to drive to such classes, but that's seemingly predicated on the notion that this would have been taken care of in a timely manner.

As I did not do so and would presumably have had to have renewed my license since then, am I still able to drive to the class? I've actually maintained my insurance the entire time since then. Yeah, yeah, it made sense to me, darn it. Some things I've read suggested that DMV and the police have different systems, and that I might need to regain my license through the former, though I'd still be a scofflaw in the eyes of the latter. Which is fine. Anything is fine. I only want to do this right and drive only to the court mandated classes, if possible, but without any unnecessary redundancies. If that's not possible, it isn't too much of a burden for me to get there by alternative means and I'll certainly do so.

Thanks for any help.


Asked on 2/04/13, 8:40 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

If your license is suspended, you don't get to drive legally anywhere for any reason, unless you have a current issued 'restricted' license.

To get your license back you must comply with and complete all requirements of DMV. That will include all requirements ordered by the court. Contact DMV and ask what you have to do.

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Answered on 2/04/13, 8:56 pm


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