Hardship License in New Jersey | NJ Criminal Lawyers

Are You Eligible for a Hardship License in New Jersey?

A hardship license is a special license for drivers who currently have suspended licenses. After a DWI or DUI, a driver is at risk of losing their license for a minimum of 3 months. A hardship license allows these individuals to get to work and continue earning a living during this period.

While many states offer hardship or work licenses during periods of suspension, New Jersey does not. As a result, a New Jersey driver with a suspended license may not drive until the driving privileges have been restored.

In New Jersey, the minimum license suspension period is 3 months, depending on a drivers’ BAC at the time of the offense. However, your license may be suspended for up to one year. Because New Jersey does not offer a hardship license, it is imperative to explore other ways to get to work. Individuals with a suspended license should check public transportation in the area, or consider carpooling with friends or coworkers. Driving apps, such as Uber or Lyft, are good alternatives as well, although costly.

Following a DWI conviction, it is common for an individual to lose driving privileges for a period of time. Some states allow drivers who have been convicted of a DWI to get limited driving privileges. This is often referred to as a hardship license. A hardship license is a special license for drivers who currently have suspended licenses. After a DWI or DUI, a driver is at risk of losing his or her license for a minimum of 3 months. A hardship license allows these individuals to get to work and continue earning a living during this period. However, the license is often conditioned upon the individual traveling to and from work.

While many states offer hardship or work licenses during periods of suspension, the Motor Vehicle Commission of New Jersey does not allow individuals whose drivers’ licenses have been suspended to receive this type of license. As a result, a New Jersey driver with a suspended license may not drive until the driving privileges have been restored. Failure to comply may result in jail time. If you are caught driving during the time your license is suspended, you may face up to five years in jail.

There are several reasons why an individual may face a license suspension in New Jersey. These include: a DWI conviction, refusing to take a Breathalyzer, criminal offenses, or accumulating over 12 points for traffic violations.

In New Jersey, the minimum license suspension period for a DWI conviction is 3 months, depending on a drivers’ BAC at the time of the offense. If this is your first DWI conviction, you may have your license suspended for up to 3 months. However, the penalties increase after the first conviction. If this is your second DWI conviction, you may lose your license for a period of seven months to one year.

Because New Jersey does not offer a hardship license, it is imperative to explore other ways to get to work. Individuals with a suspended license should check public transportation in their area, or consider carpooling with friends or coworkers. Driving apps, such as Uber or Lyft, are good alternatives as well, although costly. New Jersey has some of the harshest driving laws for individuals who have had their drivers’ license suspended. While other states offer limited driving privileges for individuals with a suspended license, New Jersey does not provide hardship licenses.