Can I get a work permit to Drive to Work if my License is suspended?

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In the last couple of years the Utah Legislature has come out with two ways to get your license back early.

First, if a driver loses their license at the administrative license hearing, there is now a process to obtain a license during the licensing period.  It will require the driver to get a risk to the public evaluation and an ignition interlock be placed on your car.  The down side is a DUI conviction will suspend the license again.  If a driver refused to take a chemical test (breath, blood, or urine), the driver is ineligible.  Further, it must be the driver’s first offense.

Utah code 53-3-223(10) provides:

(10)

(a) If the division suspends a person’s license for an alcohol related offense under Subsection (7)(a)(i)(A), the person may petition the division and elect to become an ignition interlock restricted driver if the person:

(i) has a valid driving privilege, with the exception of the suspension under Subsection (7)(a)(i)(A);

(ii) completes a risk assessment approved by the division that:

(A) is completed after the date of the arrest for which the person is suspended under Subsection (7)(a)(i)(A); and

(B) identifies the person as a low risk offender;

(iii) installs an ignition interlock device in any vehicle owned or driven by the person in accordance with Section 53-3-1007; and

(iv) pays the license reinstatement application fees described in Subsections 53-3-105(26) and (27).

(b) The person shall remain an ignition interlock restricted driver for a period of 120 days from the original effective date of the suspension under Subsection (7)(a)(i)(A). If the person removes an ignition interlock device from a vehicle owned or driven by the person prior to the expiration of the 120 day ignition interlock restriction period:

(i) the person’s driver license shall be suspended under Subsection (7)(a)(i)(A) for the remainder of the 120 day ignition interlock restriction period;

(ii) the person is required to pay the license reinstatement application fee under Subsection 53-3-105(26); and

(iii) the person may not elect to become an ignition interlock restricted driver under this section.

(c) If a person elects to become an ignition interlock restricted driver under Subsection (10)(a), the provisions under Subsection (7)(b) do not apply.

 

Second, a driver can get an early reinstatement of their license after a conviction if the Court is willing to sentence them to the 24/7 Sobriety Program.  This program is eligible for a driver with any amount of convictions but not for a person that refused a chemical test.

Utah code 41-6a-515.5 provides:

 

“24-7 sobriety program” means a 24 hours a day, seven days a week sobriety and drug monitoring program that:

(i) requires an individual to abstain from alcohol or drugs for a period of time;

(ii) requires an individual to submit to random drug testing; and

(iii) requires the individual to be subject to testing to determine the presence of alcohol:

(A) twice a day at a central location where timely sanctions may be applied;

(B) by continuous remote sensing or transdermal alcohol monitoring by means of an electronic monitoring device that allows timely sanctions to be applied; or

(C) by an alternate method that is approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.