DMV / Drivers License Suspension

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DRIVERS LICENSE ATTORNEYS DMV HEARING LAWYERS

DMV & Driver License Suspensions & Revocations

The loss of your Driver License can have a dramatic effect on the quality of your life and on those who depend on you. At Takakjian, Sowers & Sitkoff LLP we have helped our clients keep their driver license. Often a "stay" can be requested so that you can continue to drive pending the outcome of the DMV Administrative Per Se or other DMV Driver Safety hearing. If you have received notification that a proposed action is being taken by the DMV against your driver license, then you must request a hearing within 10 days of receiving personal service or within 14 days from the date a notice is mailed. If you do not make a timely request, your right to a hearing will be lost! We recognize your need to drive and can help you.

Our firm would be happy to contact DMV for you so you can continue to drive. Please call us immediately at (888) 579-4844

Please click on the following links for more information about the topics you'll find on our website:

Topics:

Driver License Suspension or Revocation for Medical Reasons

Dementia

Diabetes Mellitus

Lapses of Consciousness

Medical Probations

Negligent Operator Driver License Suspension or Revocation

Seniors

Drunk Driving - Administrative Per Se (A.P.S.) Hearings

Boating Under the Influence

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is an administrative hearing?

Q. What are my legal rights at a DMV administrative hearing?

Q. How do I schedule a hearing?

Q. What if I need an interpreter?

Q. What if I do not appear at the hearing?

Q. Will the hearing location be accessible to persons with disabilities?

Q. If my license has been suspended or revoked can I use an "International Driver License" instead?

Q. When am I required to report an accident to DMV?

Q. How much liability insurance is required?

Q. The DMV has notified me that I need to file an SR 22. What is this form and where do I get one?

Q. I was in a reportable accident. How do I get information on the other party?

Topics:

Driver License Suspension or Revocation for Medical Reasons

The DMV may restrict, suspend or revoke the driver license of a driver for a medical reason such as: a serious memory disorder, diabetes mellitus or lapses of consciousness. If this happens, you must request a hearing immediately. At Takakjian, Sowers & Sitkoff LLP we are quite successful at returning our client's driver license. We recognize your need to drive and can help you. We will request a hearing for you and represent you at the DMV. Please call us immediately at (888) 579-4844

Physicians are required to report certain physical and mental conditions, the Health and Safety Code requires physicians and surgeons to report in writing to the local health officer, the name, birth date, and address of every patient at least 14 years of age or older who is diagnosed as having a disorder characterized by lapses of consciousness or dementia (mental disorders) or other conditions such as Alzheimer's.
Although not required by law, any other condition may be reported by physicians when they believe a patient cannot drive safely because of a medical condition.

If a doctor has notified the DMV of your medical condition, you may be required to have a hearing and submit a Driver Medical Evaluation (DME) form. This form is requested when medical information is needed to evaluate a driver's medical condition in relationship to safe driving. Primarily used by DMV Driver Safety, this five-page document assists hearing officers to evaluate the physical and/or mental condition(s) of the driver and to determine what action, if any, to take with regard to the driving privilege.

The first page of the Driver Medical Evaluation (DME) form requires the driver to complete a brief health history and to certify under penalty of perjury that the information is true and complete. The remainder of the form requires the driver's physician to provide information on the driver's diagnosis, treatment, and level of functional impairment, if any. Specific sections address lapses of consciousness, diabetes, Alzheimers, dementia and cognitive impairments, as they pose a higher degree of potential traffic safety risk.
The DME must be signed by you and your physician, prior to being evaluated by Driver Safety. The form is available through our firm at Takakjian, Sowers & Sitkoff LLP or an Adobe Acrobat version is available online at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/ds/ds326.pdf

For more information please see: The Alzheimer's Association http://www.alz.org/ A national network of chapters and the largest national voluntary health organization committed to finding a cure for Alzheimer's and helping those affected by the disease. The Alzheimer's Association is here to help. This site is your gateway to a wealth of information. Call them at (800) 272-3900 if you have more questions - and they'll help you find the answers.

Dementia

Dementia is an organic brain disorder characterized by impaired cognition involving memory and judgment. Paranoia and disturbances of higher cortical function are common. Changes in personality and behavior frequently occur.

For more information please see: WebMD - What is Dementia? http://my.webmd.com/content/article/1626.50835 Dementia is the loss of mental functions -- such as thinking, memory, and reasoning -- that is severe enough to interfere with a person's daily functioning. Dementia is not a disease itself, but rather a group of symptoms that are caused by various diseases or conditions. Symptoms can also include changes in personality, mood, and behavior. In some cases, the dementia can be treated and cured because the cause is treatable.

Dementia is generally a progressive disorder which passes through stages of mild to moderate to severe. Only drivers with dementia in the mild stage may still have preserved cognitive functions necessary to safely operate a motor vehicle. The DMV may receive a report of dementia from a variety of sources, including physicians, law enforcement agencies, and relatives of the driver. Regardless of the source of the information, the department of motor vehicles must follow up by sending the reported driver the Driver Medical Evaluation. An action will not be taken by the department against the driving privilege without receiving information from a physician. If the driver fails to submit the required Driver Medical Evaluation information, the driving privilege will be suspended pursuant to Vehicle Code.

The stages are defined below to assist in understanding how a person's daily living activities and driving abilities are affected. Similar definitions are included on the Driver Medical Evaluation (form DS 326) to help physicians provide the DMV with consistent evaluations.

Mild Dementia: The capacity for independent living, including adequate personal hygiene and judgment, remains relatively intact. Work or social activities are, however, significantly impaired. Cognitive skills necessary for safe driving, including attention, judgment, and memory, may be significantly impaired.

All drivers who have been referred to the department or diagnosed with mild dementia are scheduled for a driver safety reexamination interview. The driver is given a written knowledge test and reexamined by a hearing officer to assess cognitive deterioration. Applicants who previously took oral exams may be given an oral exam. If the written test was passed and the reexamination interview determined that it would be appropriate, the driver will be given a vision test and scheduled to take a Special Driving Test or Supplemental Driver Performance Evaluation. If the driving test was satisfactory, a calendar reexamination is scheduled requiring the driver to return to the department within 6 to 12 months so that the dementia can be reassessed, since a mild stage of dementia can rapidly progress to moderate or severe.

Moderate Dementia: Independent living is hazardous and some degree of supervision is necessary. The individual is unable to adequately cope with the environment. Appropriate interpretation of what is seen may be significantly impaired, causing poor or delayed judgment and reaction. Driving would be dangerous.
Severe Dementia: Activities of daily living are so impaired that continual supervision is required, e.g., unable to maintain minimal personal hygiene; largely incoherent or mute. The individual is mentally and physically incapacitated.

How Moderate and Severe Dementia Affect Driving

• Consciousness: Inability to respond rationally to the environment. For example, what is seen is not comprehended. This can lead to serious accidents.


• Cognitive Processing: Unable to remember destination. Inattentive to external stimuli such as pedestrians or oncoming traffic. Judgment is slow or poor in traffic situations.
  
• Strength and Coordination: Muscle control is weak and reflexes are too slow to react appropriately to traffic situations or hazards.

The cognitive and physical abilities of drivers who have been diagnosed with moderate or severe dementia will have deteriorated to such an extent that driving would be unsafe, and their driving privilege will be revoked.

Reexamination

Reexamination is only appropriate for drivers whose dementia is still diagnosed as mild. Drivers with a medical diagnosis of moderate to severe dementia need no further testing because progression of the disease beyond the mild stage of dementia renders the person unsafe to drive.

In-Person Contact

An in-person contact is needed to assess awareness, cognitive processes, and perception. The driver will be expected to answer general questions such as name, address, or type of insurance, along with questions about the driver's health, medical treatment, driving record, need to drive, daily routine, and the need for assistance with daily activities. Inappropriate use of words (syntax) to answer the questions may identify deterioration in language processing skills and indicate some impairment of cognitive abilities.

The Knowledge Test

The knowledge test is used to determine the driver's mental competency, cognitive and language skills. The primary reason for giving drivers with mild dementia the knowledge test is to determine if these drivers have deteriorating reading and comprehension skills. If they do, they may also have impaired cognitive and perceptual skills which may impact their ability to safely drive a motor vehicle. Testing the driver's knowledge of the rules of the road is a secondary issue, although still relevant. The hearing officer must determine if a poor score on the knowledge test merely indicates a lack of knowledge, or indicates that the driver has difficulty reading and comprehending the questions.

The following will be considered when evaluating the knowledge test results:

• How long did it take the driver to complete the written exam?
  
• How many questions did the driver miss?
  
• Was the driver able to answer the missed questions when verbally restated?


• Could the driver's knowledge be improved by studying the handbook?

If the driver fails the knowledge test after the questions were restated verbally, and it is determined the driver's failure is due to a lack of knowledge, the driving privilege will be suspended pursuant to Vehicle Code.
If the driver is unable to coherently answer the hearing officer's questions during the reexamination, or the driver fails the knowledge test after the questions were restated verbally and medical documentation indicates mild dementia, the driving privilege will be revoked pursuant to Vehicle Code. The driver may request a hearing after receiving notice of revocation. The issue to consider at a hearing is whether the driver's cognitive skills and memory are keen enough to proceed safely with a special drive test.

Special Drive Test

The special drive test is used in determining the driver's competency and ability in the areas of concentration, perception, attention, and/or judgment. A special drive test or Supplemental Driver Performance Evaluation (SDPE) is only appropriate if a medical diagnosis of mild dementia is given, the knowledge and vision screening tests are passed, and the driver answers questions coherently during the in-person contact with the hearing officer.

If the results of the special drive test are satisfactory, the driver will be scheduled for a calendar reexamination, and appropriate license restrictions may be applied, as guided by the results of the Special Drive Test. Drivers should be reevaluated in 6 months or less when the results of the knowledge and drive tests are marginal and the dementia is not expected to progress rapidly.

Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic life-long metabolic disorder affecting approximately five to ten percent of the population. Diabetes can develop at any age.

Insulin, a pancreatic hormone which maintains normal metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and protein, regulates how the body uses and stores food for energy. Insulin is the key to diabetes. Lack of insulin affects the body's ability to properly use glucose. In diabetes, the body either stops producing insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it makes. The three types of diabetes mellitus are:

• Type I diabetes: Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) Type I diabetes is diagnosed in ten percent of the people with diabetes mellitus. In Type I diabetes, there is a defect in the person's immune system that triggers the body to destroy its own insulin-producing cells. The onset of Type I diabetes usually occurs before age 40. People with Type I diabetes always require insulin injections to regulate their blood glucose in order to survive.
  
• Type II diabetes: Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) Type II diabetes affects approximately sixty percent of people diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Most people who acquire Type II diabetes are overweight and are over age 40. In Type II diabetes, the pancreas may produce an insufficient amount of insulin or the body may become resistant to insulin, causing it to be less effective or not to be used properly in maintaining metabolic control. Most people with Type II diabetes manage their blood glucose by diet and/or oral diabetes medicine. In some cases, insulin injections are also prescribed for Type II diabetes.
  
• Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) which develops during some pregnancies. Gestational Diabetes develops in approximately five percent of pregnant women during the second or third trimester. Once the pregnancy is over, the gestational diabetes goes away. However, a significant number of these women will eventually develop Type II diabetes later in life. Therapy for managing gestational diabetes is either a prescribed diet or insulin injections as determined by the health care team.

For more information please see: Diabetes Organizations http://www.diabetesnet.com/organiz.php This directory lists voluntary, governmental, and private organizations involved in diabetes-related activities. Some organizations offer services to people with diabetes and their families and friends.

Lapses of Consciousness

Disorders characterized by lapses of consciousness result from many medical conditions. Epilepsy is the most common disorder seen by the DMV. Epilepsy can occur at any age and can also remit spontaneously. Epilepsy is a condition characterized by two or more recurring seizures. While the causes of epilepsy are not always known, seizures can be caused by anything that impairs normal brain function such as trauma, tumor, infection, genetics, stroke, injury, injury at birth, metabolic imbalances, high fever, or an overdose of toxins from alcohol or drugs. Sleep disorders can also manifest themselves as a loss of awareness or loss of consciousness. Some lapse of consciousness disorders cannot be corrected.

For more information please see: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/epilepsy.htm

Medical Probations

The Department of Motor Vehicles has the authority under the Vehicle Code to place a person's driving privilege on probation in lieu of suspension or revocation. A medical probation allows the department to monitor the driver's medical condition on an ongoing basis.

There are two medical probations that are appropriate for drivers with lapse of consciousness disorders, Medical Probation Type II and Type III.

Placing a person on medical probation allows drivers with controlled epilepsy and other disorders characterized by a lapse of consciousness to continue driving. A medical probation is only to be used when control of a lapse of consciousness disorder has been achieved for at least three months.

• Medical probation Type II is for drivers who have achieved three to five months of control. The driver is required to authorize his/her treating physician to complete the Driver Medical Evaluation (form DS 326 available at http://www.dmc.ca.gov/forms/ds/ds326.htm ) and submit it to the department on a prescribed basis.

The decision to place a driver on Medical probation Type II should be based on a combination of considerations. The main factors include but are not limited to:

• Seizure type
  
• Seizure manifestations
  
• Seizure, medical and lifestyle history
  
• The seizure-free period prior to the last episode
  
• Medical probation Type III is for drivers who have achieved six or more months of control, but due to contributing factors there is a slight possibility of another seizure. Medical probation Type III requires the driver to report, in writing, on a regular basis to the department on the status of his/her disorder. The Medical Probation Reporting form (DS 346) is used by drivers on Type III probation, and the driver must sign the form under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the information provided is true and correct. The decision to place a driver on Medical probation Type III should be based on the driver's medical history and established reliability. The main medical factors to consider include, but are not limited to:
  
• Seizure type
  
• Seizure manifestations
  
• Seizure, medical and lifestyle history
  
• The seizure-free period prior to the last episode
  The major reliability factor to consider is the driver's likelihood of complying honestly. Medical Probation Type III should be considered self-monitoring and should not be imposed if the driver has exhibited past evidence of:
  
• Noncompliance
  
• Withholding information from a physician or the department
  
• Inconsistent statements
  
No probation is needed for drivers who have achieved six or more months of control and there are no coexisting medication conditions that would aggravate the driver's seizures or impair the driver's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Negligent Operator Driver License Suspension or Revocation

Once you are licensed to drive in California, If you start accumulating too many tickets for moving violations, which count as 1 or 2 points, you may be considered a negligent operator and lose your driver license.
Most driving offenses, such as hit and run, reckless driving, and driving under the influence, are designated as 2 points and will remain on your record for 7 years from the violation date. Most other offenses are designated as 1 point and will remain on your record for 3 years from the violation date. Any "at fault" accident is normally counted as 1 point.

You will be considered a negligent operator if your driving record shows any of the following point count totals:

• 4 points in 12 months, or
  
• 6 points in 24 months, or
  
• 8 points in 36 months

At Takakjian, Sowers & Sitkoff LLP we recognize that you may have a critical need to drive and can request a hearing for you and represent you at the DMV. Please call us immediately at (888) 579-4844

Seniors

The DMV may restrict, suspend or revoke the driver license of a mature driver for a number of reasons, such as: a serious memory disorder (such as Alzheimer's), diabetes mellitus, a lapse of consciousness, negligent operator points or lack of skill. At Takakjian, Sowers & Sitkoff LLP we recognize your need to drive and can help you. We can request a hearing for you and represent you at the DMV. Please call us immediately at (888) 579-4844

Often the completion of a Driver Improvement Course, which provides instruction on defensive driving and California motor vehicle laws, will satisfy the DMV and restore the driver license. During this course, information is provided to seniors on the effects that medication, fatigue, alcohol, visual or auditory limitations have on a person's driving ability.

Mature drivers, 55 or older, who successfully complete an approved Driver Improvement course can qualify for reduced motor vehicle insurance premiums. California law allows insurance companies to determine the percentage of premium reduction. The insurance carrier can refuse to give a reduced rate to those who have poor driving records. You may wish to ask your insurance company about your eligibility and the amount of discount prior to taking an approved mature Driver Improvement Course.

The course requires classroom time of at least six hours and forty minutes. This time may be scheduled in one or two sessions. The maximum fee for the course is $20 plus a $1 charge for a DMV certificate to be presented to your insurer as proof you have completed the course.

The list of DMV approved "Mature Driver Improvement Course" Providers can be found at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vehindustry/ol/md_programs.htm

Seniors Internet Resource Center This site lists a large number of links which may be of interest to seniors. Because of its breadth, some of the links may be more interesting than others. www.wiredseniors.com/ageofreason/

Drunk Driving - Administrative Per Se (A.P.S.) Hearings

If you have been recently arrested for a DUI or have been involved in a traffic collision and suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, or boating under the influence, you need to hire an attorney immediately. Of course, we hope that if you, a family member or someone else has been involved a traffic collision, that they are okay. Also, it is very important for us to learn right away if you received a temporary driver license from the arresting officer. On that form you will see that the DMV must be contacted within ten days of arrest to request an Administrative Per Se hearing to stop your automatic driver license suspension! Otherwise, on a first offense, your driver license could be suspended automatically for 4 months and on a second offense for a one year license suspension! Also, please note that if you are subsequently caught driving on a suspended license, a new law says that in addition to being arrested the car you are driving will be impounded and can even be sold! However, you may still qualify for a restricted license! We have been handling DMV license suspension hearings for many years and we are quite successful at representing our clients and eliminating the driver license suspension. Please see our DUI - Drunk Driving webpage. Our attorneys at, Takakjian, Sowers & Sitkoff LLP, would be happy to contact DMV for you so you can continue to drive. Please call us immediately at (888) 579-4844

Boating Under the Influence

If you operate a vessel after having alcoholic drinks you may be arrested for boating under the influence. A boating under the influence conviction in California will appear as a DUI on your driver record and you may lose your driver license. With a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that is 0.08% or more, it is illegal for drivers 21 years of age and older to:

• Drive vehicles or
  
• Operate any recreational vessel, aquaplane, water skis, or similar devices.

With a BAC that is 0.04% or more, it is illegal for drivers 21 years of age and older to:

• Drive commercial vehicles or
  
• Operate any recreational vessel, aquaplane, water skis, or similar devices.

With a BAC that is 0.01% or more, it is illegal for drivers under 21 years of age to:

• Drive vehicles or
  
• Operate any vessel, aquaplane, water skis, or similar devices. You are subject to fine, jail, and participation in an alcohol education or community service program.
  

A BAC below legal limits does not mean that it is safe to drive. Some drivers show the effects of alcohol at levels lower than the legal limit.

Please see our DUI - Drunk Driving webpage for more information.

California DMV - Driver Handbook - Actions Resulting in Loss of License
- Drinking / Driving or Boating - "Some Basic Facts" http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/pgs68thru70.htm

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF BOATING AND WATERWAYS

LINKS

• America's Boating Course
• Aquatic Centers
• Boatsafe.com
• Boating Sidekicks - For Kids
• Boat U.S/Foundation Safety Topics
• National Safe Boating Campaign
• Online Coastal Navigation Course
• United States Coast Guard: Federal Requirements and Safety Tips for Recreational Boaters

Web Links

California DMV – Vehicle Code (A very lengthy document – you may wish to use the “Search” function of the main DMV site)
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vcpdf/vehcode.pdf

Traffic School Location List
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/ol/ol745.pdf

DMV - California Department of Motor Vehicles - General Information -
916-657-0214
http://www.dmv.ca.gov

California DMV - Driver Handbook -
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/driver_handbook_toc.htm

California DMV Offices - http://www.dmv.ca.gov/fo/regions/california.htm

Seniors Internet Resource Center This site lists a large number of links which may be of interest to seniors. Because of its breadth, some of the links may be more interesting than others. www.wiredseniors.com/ageofreason/

The Alzheimer's Association http://www.alz.org/ A national network of chapters and the largest national voluntary health organization committed to finding a cure for Alzheimer's and helping those affected by the disease. The Alzheimer's Association is here to help. This site is your gateway to a wealth of information. Call them at (800) 272-3900 if you have more questions - and they'll help you find the answers.
WebMD - What is Dementia? http://my.webmd.com/content/article/1626.50835 Dementia is the loss of mental functions -- such as thinking, memory, and reasoning -- that is severe enough to interfere with a person's daily functioning. Dementia is not a disease itself, but rather a group of symptoms that are caused by various diseases or conditions. Symptoms can also include changes in personality, mood, and behavior. In some cases, the dementia can be treated and cured because the cause is treatable.

Diabetes Organizations http://www.diabetesnet.com/organiz.php This directory lists voluntary, governmental, and private organizations involved in diabetes-related activities. Some organizations offer services to people with diabetes and their families and friends.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/epilepsy.htm

The list of DMV approved "Mature Driver Improvement Course" Providers can be found at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vehindustry/ol/md_programs.htm

California DMV - Driver Handbook - Actions Resulting in Loss of License
- Drinking / Driving or Boating - "Some Basic Facts"
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/2002dl600toc6.htm

For more information about travel and driver licensing requirements outside of the US, visit the US State Department Road Safety Overseas website at: http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html

DMV Traffic Accident Report form SR 1/SR 1A.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/sr/sr1.htm

Auto Insurance Specialists - A.I.S. Insurance
http://www.aisinsurance.com/Pltp/Pages/FAQ.aspx

Progressive Insurance http://www1.progressive.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is an administrative hearing?

A. In most circumstances where DMV orders a discretionary action against a person's driving privilege, that person has the right to a hearing before the department to contest the action and review the evidence supporting it. You must request a hearing within ten days of receiving notice of the action against the driving privilege. The hearing is tape recorded and may be conducted by telephone or in person. The hearing is held before a Driver Safety Hearing Officer of the department. At the hearing, the driver is informed of the legal grounds for the action, and has the opportunity to review and challenge the evidence of the department, and to present evidence, witnesses and testimony to persuade the department to modify or rescind the action. The rules that control these hearings are found in the Vehicle Code, the Government Code (Administrative Procedures Act) and in various Appellate and Supreme Court rulings. Following the hearing, the Driver Safety Hearing Officer will make a decision to uphold (sustain), modify, or rescind (set aside) the DMV action.

Q. What are my legal rights at a DMV administrative hearing?

A. You have the right to be represented by an attorney or other representative. At Takakjian, Sowers & Sitkoff LLP we have helped our clients keep their driver license. You have the right to review the evidence and to cross examine the testimony of any witnesses for the department, and to present evidence and witnesses on your own behalf, as well as the right to testify on your own behalf. Following the hearing, you have the right to be provided a decision in writing. Should the decision resulting from the hearing be against you, you have the right to request the department to conduct an administrative review of the decision, as well as the right to appeal the decision to superior court. Requests for the administrative review or to appeal the decision in court must be made within a certain time period depending on the type of hearing and as described in the Vehicle Code. These time periods and other specific information concerning your rights will be stated on the notice containing the hearing decision.

Q. How do I schedule a hearing?

A. At Takakjian, Sowers & Sitkoff LLP our lawyers schedule the hearing for you and we can even appear on your behalf. But you only have ten days following receipt of the notice to request a hearing, so please call us immediately at (888) 579-4844. Or you may schedule the hearing yourself by writing to or telephoning one of the DMV Driver Safety Offices which can be found on the web at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/fo/fotocds.htm. Be sure to identify yourself by your full name, your driver license number, and your date of birth. You will also be asked to verify your correct mailing address.

Q. What if I need an interpreter?

A. If you or a witness requires a sign or language interpreter, immediately contact us so that we can notify the Driver Safety Office to request that an interpreter be provided for the hearing.

Q. What if I do not appear at the hearing?

A. If you request a hearing and do not attend the hearing and you have not retained an attorney to represent you, the department will proceed with the case against you and suspend your license.

Q. Will the hearing location be accessible to persons with disabilities?

A. Hearing locations are accessible to persons with disabilities. However, we will check with the department in advance to assure accessibility for you. In addition, if you know persons who plan to attend who have special needs that require reasonable accommodation, please contact us so that we can notify the DMV as soon as possible, so that arrangements can be made.

Q. If my license has been suspended or revoked can I use an "International Driver License" instead?

A. No, the State of California does not recognize an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a valid driver license. California does recognize a valid driver license that is issued by a foreign jurisdiction (country, state, territory) of which the license holder is a resident.

The IDP is only a translation of information contained on a person's foreign driver license and is not required to operate a motor vehicle in California. Citations issued to a person in California who has an IDP, but does not have a California driver license will be placed on the Department of Motor Vehicle database.

The IDP is also called an International Driver License, International License, etc.

For more information about travel and driver licensing requirements outside of the US, visit the US State Department Road Safety Overseas website at: http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html

Q. When am I required to report an accident to DMV?

A. If you are involved in a vehicle accident that occurred in California, you must report it to DMV if:
There was property damage of more than $500 or
any one was injured (no matter how minor) or killed.

Each driver must make a report to DMV within 10 days, whether you caused the accident or not and even if the accident occurred on private property.

You must complete both parts of the two-part DMV Traffic Accident Report form SR 1/SR 1A. http://www.ca.dmv.gov/forms/sr/sr1.pdf If you download the form from the DMV website you will need 8 ½ by 14 legal paper and to change your print setting to legal size.

When you have completed the form, you can mail it to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Financial Responsibility
P.O. Box 942884
Mail Station J-237
Sacramento, California 94284-0884

If you do not submit this report, your driving privilege will be suspended. DMV may ask your insurance company to verify that you had coverage in effect at the time of the accident. If you did not have insurance, your driving privilege will be suspended for 1 year. To get your license back, after the suspension, you will need to provide proof of financial responsibility and maintain it on record for 3 years. The accident may count as 1 point on your driving record.

Q. How much liability insurance is required?

A. California requires that drivers and vehicle owners carry the following minimum monetary limits: · $15,000 for injury or death of 1 person per accident · $30,000 for injury or death of 2 or more persons per accident · $5,000 for property damage per accident Evidence of financial responsibility must be carried at all times in the vehicle. Most Californians maintain financial responsibility through insurance companies, which provide the policyholder with an identification card as evidence of coverage. The card must state the insurance company's name and address, the period of coverage and policy number.

Q. The DMV has notified me that I need to file an SR 22. What is this form and where do I get one?

A. DMV proof of insurance form SR 22 must be filed following a DUI conviction, license suspension or revocation. Unfortunately, the SR 22 form is not the same as the proof of insurance card previously issued to you by your insurance company that you may be keeping in your glove compartment of your car. You will need to ask for an SR 22 from your insurance company. Some insurance companies will automatically download this information to DMV upon your request. Otherwise, you will need to get the SR 22 paperwork from your insurance company and then file it with your local DMV office.

An SR 22 is a form that can be filed by your insurance company with the DMV to confirm that you are insured. There are three types of auto insurance policies:

1) "Owner's Policy" states to the DMV that the person named on the SR 22 form is insured while driving any vehicle that he/she owns.

2) "Operator's Policy" states to the DMV that the person named on the SR 22 form is insured while driving any vehicle not owned by the operator. This policy is for individuals who only drive vehicles owned by someone else.

3) "Broad Form - Owner/Operator Policy" states to the DMV that the person named on the SR 22 form is insured while driving any vehicle.

Once you get insurance and file the SR 22 form with the DMV you must maintain the policy or DMV will again suspend or revoke your driver license. The SR 22 form requires that the insurance company notify DMV in the event that the policy is canceled or lapses for lack of payment.

Q. I was in a reportable accident. How do I get information on the other party?

A. Each driver involved in an accident that caused more than $500 worth of property damage or injured or killed any person must complete a Traffic Accident Report form SR 1 within 10 days. You may obtain a photocopy of the report that the other driver submitted to DMV by completing a Financial Responsibility Document Request form SR 19C and mailing it to the address printed on top of the form. You may also request the other driver's insurance information and/or a certification that the other driver was not insured (Uninsured Motorist Certificate).

A number of our clients have been very pleased with the service provided by the following insurance companies:

Auto Insurance Specialists - http://www.aisinsurance.com
Progressive Insurance - http://www1.progressive.com

If you have been involved in an accident or have been arrested for Driving Under the Influence - DUI, please call us immediately at (888) 579-4844. We can help you.

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