What is the difference between a suspension and a revocation?
Suspension means that you temporarily lose your driving privileges for a designated period of time or until you meet certain reinstatement requirements. Revocation means that your driving privileges are taken away indefinitely. If revoked, you may not reapply for your license for at least one year.
A suspension has a specific start and end date; when the suspension period ends, the licensee pays the reinstatement fee and any reapplication fees to restore their driving privilege. Revocations are indefinite; there is a minimum length of time, usually one to three years, but the action does not automatically end on that date. The individual must go through an investigation process to determine whether it would be safe to restore their driving privilege. If approved for reinstatement, there would be reinstatement and reapplication fees.
A DUI suspension is set for a definite time — 90 days, six months, one year or three years. At the end of the suspension, your license can be reinstated simply by paying a reinstatement fee, so long as in the interim you have not been convicted for driving during your DUI suspension or had another suspension or revocation placed on your driving record. A revocation has no automatic reinstatement date — you are revoked until the Secretary of State decides, after a hearing, that you are now responsible enough to have a driver’s license. The hearing process can be long and ardous.
