Like all states, Iowa will suspend or revoke its residents' driving privileges for various traffic violations, criminal convictions, and other issues. In general, suspension means the state temporarily withdraws your privilege to drive. Revocation normally means the termination of driving privileges. Whether your license is suspended or revoked, you can be charged with a crime if you drive when your license is not valid.
You may face license suspension if you:
Your license may be subject to mandatory revocation for certain criminal convictions. They include:
But these are just partial lists. Your license can be suspended or revoked for many additional reasons not listed here.
You can't lawfully drive when your license is suspended or revoked. After your period of suspension or revocation expires, you must pay a fee to reinstate your license. In many cases, the fee is $20. However, you don't have to pay a reinstatement fee if your license was suspended because the state found you physically or mentally incapable of driving safely.
Depending on the circumstances, you may have to fulfill other conditions before regaining your driving privileges.
Driving on a suspended or revoked license can be charged as a simple misdemeanor or serious misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances.
If you are charged with a simple misdemeanor, your sentence may involve:
The period of the suspension extension is generally up to a year.
You may be charged with a serious misdemeanor under certain circumstances, such as if your license was suspended due to driving while intoxicated. Serious misdemeanors carry:
Again, the extension of your suspension will generally be up to one year.
The consequences can be serious if you are convicted of driving after suspension or revocation. If you've been arrested for one of these offenses, it's a good idea to get in touch with a knowledgeable local attorney for help.
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