License Suspension Is One of the Consequences of a DUI

If you are like many in Pennsylvania, driving to work, school, the grocery store and other locations is an essential part of handling the demands of everyday life. However, if you are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, one of the potential consequences of drunk driving is getting your license suspended. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, how long your license is suspended for depends on how many prior DUI offenses exist on your record and what your blood alcohol content level was at the time of the arrest.

For example, if your BAC level was between .08 and .0999 at the time of the arrest and you have one prior DUI offense on your record, your license will be suspended for 12 months. In comparison, if your BAC level was above .16 at the time of the arrest and you have two or more prior DUI offenses on your record, your license will be suspended for 18 months.

If you are facing DUI charges for the first time, you can avoid license suspension if you meet the requirements of an Accelerative Rehabilitative Discharge. According to the Pennsylvania Code, the purpose of this program is to encourage offenders to make a fresh start after their arrest in exchange for the opportunity to acquire a clean record. This program also eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming trials and other court proceedings.