Restoration of Driving Privileges in Richmond, Virginia

Driving is a privilege, not a right.

Your driver’s license can get taken away from you if you don’t drive responsibly, and if that happens, getting it back is a challenge. But it’s not impossible.

We’ve put together this guide to show you what you need to do to get a restoration of driving privileges in Richmond, Virginia. Make sure you keep reading below for some helpful tips.

Was Your License Revoked or Suspended?

Yes, there’s a difference.

In Virginia, your driver’s license can be suspended by the court or the DMV, but you can get it back after meeting the necessary requirements or after the suspension period ends. If your driving privilege has been revoked by the DMV, usually for multiple DUIs or having been declared a Habitual Offender, you will have to petition the Circuit Court to have your privileges reinstated. .

Make sure you know whether your driver’s license was revoked or suspended because the steps you take next will depend on this. You won’t get very far if you don’t know what you’re fighting against.

Wait It Out

You might have to wait for the term of revocation to finish before you can restore your driving privileges. Depending on your personal circumstances, this time period could last years.

You won’t be able to get behind the wheel again until the term of revocation ends, but you may be able to finish other necessary steps during this time.

Hire a Lawyer

You should not have to try to go through this process on your own. There’s a lot of paperwork and hearings involved, and if you don’t understand the laws in Virginia inside and out, it’s easy to make mistakes. And even small mistakes can cost you valuable time and money.

You should seriously consider hiring a lawyer to help you through the restoration process.

A lawyer will be able to take a look at the specifics of your case and recommend the best course of action based on your individual circumstances. They will take care of all the difficult work for you, such as filing the Petition with the court, gathering the necessary supporting documentation, and representing you in front of a judge.

Make sure the lawyer you hire has a lot of experience working on cases similar to yours. You’ll also want to ensure they’re reputable and trustworthy before giving them any of your money.

How to Restore Your Driving Privileges in Richmond, Virginia

The steps you’ll take to restore your driving privileges will look different depending on your personal case, but you can expect to follow these basic steps.

Make Sure You’re Eligible

The first thing you need to do to get your driving privileges back is double-checking your eligibility. You can do this by getting a copy of your driving record and a compliance summary from the DMV and talking to your lawyer.

If you aren’t eligible, you may have to wait for the term of revocation to finish, or you may be able to improve your eligibility by completely necessary steps. Your lawyer will be able to walk you through the process.

File a Petition

Next, you’ll need to file a petition for restoration of the restricted license. To do this, you’ll need to prepare the following documents:

Current driving transcript (which you can get from the DMV)
VASAP (Virginia Alcohol Safety Action) report if needed
Petition for Restoration or Restricted Operator’s License

Depending on your case, you may need a few other documents as well. This is where your lawyer will come into play. They will be able to tell you what you need and help you get it ready for your petition.

Without a lawyer, you may not submit the correct documents. If this happens, your petition may be denied, causing you to have to start all over again, which can slow down the restoration process.

Pay the Necessary Fees

You’ll have to pay a filing fee as part of the petition. Make sure you submit it with the rest of your documents. Otherwise, the court won’t be able to process your petition.

Schedule a Hearing

Once you’ve filed the necessary paperwork, the prosecutor and, if necessary, ASAP, will need to file a response with the Court. Once those responses are received by the Court, you will need to schedule the hearing date. Make sure you show up to the court on the right date and at the right time (if you have more than one hearing, don’t miss a single one). Failure to appear for the hearing will result in your petition for respiration of driving privileges will be denied.

Restoration of Driving Privileges: What You Need to Do in Virginia

If you’re trying to get through the restoration of driving privileges process in Richmond, Virginia, one of the most important things to do is reach out to a lawyer. Trying to get through the petition process without one can be much more difficult and potentially more expensive in the long run.

Don’t go it alone.

Not sure where to find the right legal help? We’ve got you covered. Don’t wait to get in touch with our team at Bernstein Hough P.C. for a free consultation today. We’ll have you back on the road as fast as possible.

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