| When you are convicted of driving under the influence | | | | fine + at least 10 days in jail |
| or driving while intoxicated (DUI/DWI), one of the many | | | | - Second offense: 6 months additional suspension + |
| penalties that a state may issue is a license | | | | $500 fine + 6 months to 1 year in jail |
| suspension. Typically, for your first DUI conviction, you | | | | - Third offense: Felony charge + 1 year additional |
| will have your license suspended for no longer than six | | | | suspension + $1000 fine + at least 1 year in jail |
| months. For subsequent convictions, you may be | | | | Coping with Your License Suspension |
| stripped of your driver's license for a year or more. | | | | Clearly, suspended license violations are taken |
| Most people rely on an automobile as their primary | | | | seriously and can add months to your original penalty, |
| means of transportation. A suspended license can limit | | | | not to mention the additional hefty fines. It is best to not |
| a person's mobility and make it difficult to commute to | | | | risk being caught without a valid license. If you have |
| work or visit family and friends. While this may seem | | | | been convicted of a DUI and penalized with a license |
| like an unreasonable hardship, it is better to make other | | | | suspension, consider using one of the many other |
| driving arrangements, such as taking the bus or | | | | modes of transportation available to you. If you are |
| carpooling, than to risk being pulled over without a valid | | | | traveling within a couple of miles, try walking or biking |
| license. If you are caught driving with a suspended | | | | to your destination, or look up a convenient bus route. |
| license from a DUI/DWI, you risk being penalized even | | | | You may find that you are able to save hundreds and |
| further. | | | | even thousands of dollars that otherwise would be |
| Suspended License Violation Penalties | | | | spent on gas. |
| Each state has its own penalties for drivers who are | | | | If you have been arrested for driving with a |
| caught without a valid license, but most states will | | | | suspended license, you face the possibility of extended |
| extend the period of the suspension and slap the | | | | suspension, fines, and jail time. Consider consulting with |
| offender with a hefty fine. Under Rhode Island law, | | | | a DUI defense attorney immediately to review the |
| penalties for driving on a suspended license are as | | | | options that are available to you so that you can |
| follows: | | | | regain your license. |
| - First offense: 3 months additional suspension + $500 | | | | |