What will happen to my driver’s license if I am charged with DUI / drunk driving in Illinois?

In Illinois, if you are charged with drunk driving (DUI), several things can happen to your driver’s license:

1. Statutory Summary Suspension:
   • If you fail chemical testing (i.e., your BAC is 0.08% or more, 0.04% or more if you are driving a commercial vehicle, or any trace of a controlled substance), your driving privileges will be suspended for six months for a first offense. If you refuse to submit to chemical testing, the suspension is one year for a first offense.
   • For subsequent offenses, the suspension periods increase: one year for a failed test and three years for refusing testing.
2. Judicial Consequences:
   • If convicted of a DUI, additional penalties are imposed. For a first-time DUI conviction, you may face a minimum one-year revocation of your driver’s license.
   • Multiple DUI convictions lead to longer revocation periods. A second DUI conviction results in a minimum five-year revocation, while a third conviction leads to a ten-year revocation. A fourth or subsequent DUI conviction results in a lifetime revocation of driving privileges.
3. Driving Permit:
   • During the suspension period, you might be eligible for a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP), which requires the installation of a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) in your vehicle.
4. Reinstatement:
   • After the revocation period ends, you must go through a reinstatement process, which involves a hearing with the Secretary of State’s office, paying a reinstatement fee, and meeting other conditions such as completing an alcohol/drug evaluation, attending a remedial education program, and proving financial responsibility (e.g., obtaining SR-22 insurance).

It’s crucial to consult with a legal professional to navigate the specifics of your case and understand the full implications of a DUI charge in Illinois.