DUI Restricted Driving Permit in Illinois

Reader’s Question:

My driver’s license has been suspended for almost nine months already because of my DUI conviction here in Rockford, Illinois. I was told that I can get like a temporary license or something if I won’t have a DUI charge or a similar offense for nine months. How would I get a driving permit after my DUI conviction?

Mao
Rockford, IL

I know that you have already foreseen that after your DUI conviction in Rockford, Illinois, the next issue that you would face is when, and under what conditions you could be eligible to apply for a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP). In the State of Illinois, RDP could be issued for driving to and from work as well as within the scope of your employment related duties, to allow you transportation or a family member for necessary medical care, to and from certain alcohol rehabilitative activities such as AA meetings, and for you to travel to and from classes at an accredited educational institution. Also, the State Secretary would not issue permits for more than 12 hours a day or 6 days a week.

You should not have traffic tickets pending in any court (other than a DUI with a pending suspension) and your driver’s license should not be revoked or suspended for other reasons because you would be ineligible to apply for RDP until the other matters are resolved. You should also obtain an alcohol evaluation from an agency licensed by the Illinois Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (OASA) and you must complete the treatment recommended therein at a treatment service provider licensed by OASA.

DUI Alcohol Treatment Facility in Illinois

Reader’s Question:

My sister got a charge for DUI here in Orland Park, Illinois and she is under an alcohol evaluation now. It is said that this evaluation would determine the treatment level she would be classified as. I heard something like minimal and moderate risk, what does this mean?

Ryan
Orland Park, IL

Because of your sister’s DUI arrest in Illinois, she must have an alcohol evaluation in order to be eligible to apply for a restricted driving permit (RDP). She must also complete the treatment recommended at an agency licensed by the Illinois Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (OASA). The things that you have mentioned such as minimal and moderate risk are two of the classifications of the treatment levels.

Minimal risk or Level 1 should complete an Alcohol or Drug Risk Education course that is usually for 10 hours. This level could only be recommended for DUI offenders who, at minimum, have no prior DUI license suspensions or dispositions, those who have submitted to blood alcohol test with blood alcohol content (BAC) level of less than 0.15 and those who were not diagnosed with any other recognized symptoms of substance abuse or dependence.

Moderate risk or Level 2M should also complete an Alcohol or Drug Risk Education course usually for 10 hours and an Early Intervention Counseling Program which is a minimum of 12 hours. This level could be recommended for DUI offenders who, at minimum, have no prior DUI license suspensions or dispositions, submitted to blood alcohol test with BAC of 0.15 to 0.19 and were not diagnosed with any other recognized symptoms of substance abuse or dependence.