Have you ever noticed a car driving with flashy yellow plates? Jokingly referred to as “party plates,” these special license plates must be displayed by Ohio drivers who have been given restricted driving privileges after a DUI related driver’s license suspension.
In the past, a judge could use his or her discretion in deciding to order that someone display the yellow plates. But since 2004, the plates are mandatory. If you fail to use the plates, you will face a $100 penalty and your restricted driving privileges will be revoked.
Are the Yellow Plates For Deterrence or For Safety?
Some supporters of the law said that people would resist the urge to drink and drive because of the embarrassing prospect of having to display yellow plates. But according to Doug Scoles, executive director of the Ohio chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, “it’s not for humiliation purposes.” Instead, he stated that the yellow plates are a safety measure that signals to other drivers that they’re sharing the road with a potentially dangerous driver.
Opponents of the law, on the other hand, worried that the yellow plates would needlessly stigmatize first-time offenders and the family members of the affected driver. Indeed, the plates need to be placed on every car that the convicted person drives, so everyone else who drives those cars will be seen as a drunk driver.
How Do You Get Restricted Driving Privileges After a DUI?
There are three ways your driver’s license could get suspended because of a DUI. You can face an administrative suspension for failing to submit to a breath test, or for blowing over the limit when you get pulled over. Later on, you may face a criminal suspension if you get convicted of DUI after your trial.
You can request limited driving privileges while your license is suspended, which will enable you to drive to and from work, to your doctor, or to school. You’ll need to show that you absolutely need to drive for one or more of the following reasons:
- Professional, educational, vocational, or medical purposes
- You need to take a driver’s or commercial driver’s license test
- You must attend court-ordered treatment
Your driving history will be factored into the decision to grant restricted driving privileges. For example, a person with three or more DUI convictions in the past seven years is ineligible for limited driving privileges. The time that must elapse before you qualify for an occupational driver’s license or hardship license depends on how many times your license has been suspended in the past, and whether your license was suspended for refusing or failing a chemical test.
How a Columbus Criminal Defense Attorney From Luftman, Heck and Associates Can Help You
If you’re facing DUI charges or if you need to get restricted driving privileges, a skilled DUI lawyer can help. At Luftman, Heck & Associates LLP, we have built our reputation on providing our clients with aggressive advocacy that gets them beneficial case results. If you need a Columbus criminal defense attorney, call us today at (614) 500-3836 for a free and confidential consultation of your case.
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