DUI/DWI Pre-Trial Limited Driving Privilege in North Carolina

Being charged with a DWI in North Carolina can impact areas of life far beyond a criminal record.  Today, one of the most underappreciated privileges in our day-to-day activities is driving.  Whether it is for work, household maintenance, taking the kids to after school activities, or taking a trip, we do not realize how important that privilege is until it is taken from us. 

When arrested on suspicion of DUI/DWI the arrestee automatically has his/her license revoked for 30 days and is called a “30 day civil revocation”.  For the majority of people, the inability to drive for 30 days would cripple their ability to conduct their day-to-day affairs. Enter the pre-trial limited driving privilege.

In North Carolina, the person arrested can petition to the court to issue a pre-trial limited driving privilege on day 11, which allows them to drive for limited purposes during the standard hours of 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.  In order to qualify for a pre-trial limited driving privilege in North Carolina, the person must: 1) have a valid license or one that has been suspended for less than a year, 2) have no prior DWI convictions for seven years, 3) not be charged with a DWI after the charge for which you are revoked, 4) have proof of insurance via a DL-123 form, 5) have proof of your substance abuse assessment, and 6) pay a $100 filing fee to the clerk’s office.  If hours are needed outside of the standard hours, proof will need to be provided to the court for consideration. 

If you or someone you know needs assistance filing for a pre-trial limited driving privilege, the Charlotte criminal lawyers at Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys are here to help.