What to do if…
you receive a notice that your driver licence or driving privilege is being suspended

What to do now

1. Get off the road before sorting paperwork. If you are driving when you realise the notice may already be in effect, park somewhere lawful and safe, then arrange another way to travel.

2. Find the three facts that control the next step. On the notice, look for:

   • who issued it, such as a state driver licensing agency, court, or law enforcement agency
   • the effective date and time, or whether the suspension is already active
   • whether there is a hearing, review, appeal, or correction process, and how to request it

3. Check your license status through the official state agency. Use your state’s official driver licensing agency website, the agency phone number listed on an official state website, or an official online account. Ask:

   • “Is my license or driving privilege valid right now?”
   • “What is the exact effective date and time?”
   • “Is there a hearing or review request deadline?”
   • “How do I request the hearing or review?”
   • “Does requesting it delay the suspension, or do I need a temporary or restricted permit?”

4. Treat any hearing or review deadline as urgent. Some states set short deadlines, especially for DUI, alcohol, refusal, point, insurance, or administrative suspension cases. For example, California DMV materials describe a 10-day hearing request period in certain DUI administrative actions, and Texas DPS materials describe short ALR hearing request windows. Do not use those numbers as your deadline unless your own notice or state agency confirms them.

5. Check for identity, address, and case errors. Compare the notice with your license and records:

   • full name
   • date of birth
   • license number
   • current and old address
   • citation, court, crash, insurance, child support, tax, or case number If anything looks like the wrong person, wrong case, old address problem, or duplicate record, tell the agency immediately and ask what proof they need to review or correct it.

6. If the notice is linked to a court case, contact the court listed on the notice. Ask whether there is an unpaid fine, missed appearance, unresolved ticket, probation condition, or court order connected to the suspension. Do not rely on the court alone if the driver licensing agency also has a separate deadline.

7. Ask about limited driving only after confirming whether you can drive at all. Some states may offer a hardship, occupational, conditional, restricted, or temporary license in limited circumstances. Ask the agency or court what exists in your state, whether you are eligible, and whether you must apply before driving.

8. Make a short no-driving plan. Cancel, reschedule, or replace any driving for work, childcare, school, appointments, court, or medical needs until your status is confirmed. If you are scheduled to drive for work, do not drive until your privilege is confirmed valid; consider sharing only the minimum needed to reschedule driving duties.

9. If there is an urgent medical or immediate safety emergency, do not drive yourself if your license may be suspended. Call 911 if emergency help is needed, or use another safe transport option.