What’s the Difference Between Temporary Driving Privileges and a Restricted License?

Temporary Driving Privileges are granted by a judge during your suspension for approved purposes only. A Restricted License is issued after conviction and may require conditions such as an ignition interlock device. Neither equals full reinstatement.

How to Get Driving Privileges after a DUI in Ohio

Man driving a car with sunlight through the windshield, symbolizing regained DUI driving privileges in Columbus, Ohio.

For Columbus area residents, losing your driver’s license after an OVI can upend every aspect of your daily life. Getting to work, school, or doctor appointments becomes a challenge. With limited public transportation in Central Ohio, many people find themselves struggling to maintain their routines, jobs, and responsibilities in the aftermath of a DUI charge.

Fortunately, if your license has been suspended, there are legal steps you can take to regain limited or full driving privileges. This may include serving a waiting period, applying for temporary driving permits, completing required programs, and working with the Ohio BMV toward reinstatement. However, these rules can be confusing and vary by case.

A knowledgeable and experienced Columbus DUI lawyer can help you move through the process more efficiently by petitioning for limited privileges, representing you in hearings, and ensuring the path to reinstatement is handled correctly.

The Loss of Your License after a Columbus OVI

One of the first things that happens after an OVI arrest in Ohio is the loss of your driver’s license. If you refuse a breath, blood, or urine test or test over the legal limit, the Administrative License Suspension (ALS) takes effect immediately. This suspension is issued by the Ohio BMV, not the court, and applies even before your case is resolved.

Aside from the criminal penalties like jail, fines, and probation, if you are later convicted of OVI in court, the judge can also impose an additional court-ordered OVI suspension. That means you could be dealing with both an administrative suspension and a court suspension at the same time.

The combined effect of the administrative penalties and the court process makes acting quickly and understanding your rights critical.

How Long Does a DUI Suspension Last in Ohio?

The length of a suspension depends on your record and the severity of the offense:

First OVI: Minimum 1-year suspension, though limited driving privileges may be available.
Second OVI: 1 to 7 years, often with mandatory treatment requirements and ignition interlock restrictions.
Felony OVI (fourth offense or more): Can lead to a permanent license revocation.

Getting Driving Privileges in Ohio after an OVI: Step by Step

While losing your license is one of the most disruptive consequences of an OVI, it doesn’t mean you’re permanently off the road. Ohio law allows eligible drivers to regain limited or full driving privileges. But doing so depends on the type of suspension you’re facing, your prior record, and the DUI court handling your case.

Step 1: Understand the Type & Length of Your DUI Suspension

After an arrest, you should carefully review the paperwork you receive from the Ohio BMV and the court. These documents explain:

Whether you are under an ALS for refusing or failing a chemical test,
Or a court-ordered suspension that applies if you are convicted of OVI.

The rules and timelines are different for each suspension type, and in some cases, you may be serving both at once. An experienced lawyer can help determine your eligibility for early or limited driving privileges.

Step 2: Serve Any Mandatory Waiting Period

Ohio law requires a “hard suspension” period where no driving is permitted. The length depends on your record: a first-time OVI typically carries a 15-day hard suspension, while refusals or repeat offenses may involve longer periods. Once that waiting time ends, you may apply to the court for limited driving privileges.

Step 3: Complete Court-Ordered Programs

Before reinstatement, you must comply with all court conditions. For many first-time offenders in Franklin County, this includes completing the Driver Intervention Program (DIP), a three-day alcohol education course.

Repeat or aggravated offenders may be required to attend substance abuse counseling, complete a treatment program, or enter a high-risk offender program.

Step 4: Petition for Limited Driving Privileges

After you’ve served the required waiting period and met program requirements, you can ask the court for limited driving privileges. These privileges allow you to drive for specific purposes, such as:

Work or school,
Medical treatment or doctor’s appointments,
Court-ordered treatment programs,
Child care or family obligations.

In Franklin County, these petitions are typically filed with the Municipal Court for misdemeanor cases. Judges may impose additional conditions, such as requiring an ignition interlock device or restricting when and where you can drive.

Step 5: Seek Full Reinstatement through the Ohio BMV

Limited driving privileges end once your suspension period is complete. To fully reinstate your license, you’ll need to:

Pay reinstatement fees to the Ohio BMV,
Provide proof of completing all required programs,
File and maintain SR-22 insurance for several years, and
Satisfy any additional conditions set by the court.

In Columbus, reinstatement paperwork is typically processed at the BMV Reinstatement Office on Kenny Road. Having everything in order before you go can prevent costly delays.

Questions About Driving Privileges After an OVI in Ohio

What Are the Restrictions on Driving Privileges?

Privileges are limited to court-approved purposes only, such as work, school, medical care, or childcare. Judges may also restrict routes or require you to carry documentation showing your driving purpose.

Can I Drive at Any Time of Day with Limited Privileges?

No. Courts may limit driving to specific hours, such as standard work shifts or designated times for medical care. Driving outside those times, even for emergencies, can violate the order.

Can I Get Privileges if I Refused the Breath Test?

Refusing a chemical test triggers an Administrative License Suspension (ALS) that is often longer than if you tested over the limit. You may still be eligible for limited driving privileges after the waiting period.

Can I Drive My Kids to School or Daycare?

Yes, if the court approves it as part of your limited privileges. You must request it specifically in your petition.

What Happens If I Drive Without Privileges?

Driving under DUI suspension can lead to new criminal charges, additional fines, and extended suspension time.

What’s the Difference Between TDP and a Restricted License?

Temporary Driving Privileges (TDP) are granted by a judge during your suspension, allowing you to drive only for approved purposes. A Restricted License is issued after conviction and may come with additional conditions, like an ignition interlock device. A restricted license is not the same as full reinstatement.

How Much Are Reinstatement Fees After a DUI?

Reinstatement fees usually start at $475, but the total may be higher depending on your case. All fees must be paid to the Ohio BMV before your license can be restored.

Do I Need SR-22 Insurance for DUI Reinstatement in Ohio?

Yes. Most OVI convictions require you to file SR-22 insurance, which proves you carry high-risk auto coverage. This requirement often lasts three to five years.

Can I Appeal an OVI Suspension in Ohio?

Yes. You may appeal an Administrative License Suspension within 30 days of your arrest. An attorney can also challenge a court-ordered suspension in certain situations.

Do Limited Driving Privileges Restore My Full License?

No. Limited privileges only allow driving for approved purposes. Full reinstatement requires completing your suspension period, filing SR-22, finishing programs, and paying fees.

Will My Employer Be Notified of My OVI Suspension?

If you need driving privileges for work, your employer may need to be notified, especially if your job involves driving. Some employers are contacted directly if you hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Can I Get Driving Privileges With a CDL?

It is much harder. Federal law restricts CDL holders more strictly than regular drivers. Many CDL suspensions cannot be reduced with limited privileges.

What Happens If I Violate My Driving Privileges?

Non-compliance, such as driving outside approved times or for unapproved purposes, can result in additional criminal charges, fines, jail time, and an extended suspension.

Why Having a Lawyer Matters in Getting Driving Privileges After a DUI

Trying to handle an OVI suspension on your own can be a costly mistake. Many people assume that driving privileges will automatically come back once some time passes, but that’s not how it works in Ohio. The process has deadlines, petitions, program requirements, and BMV filings. Missteps can mean weeks or months of unnecessary delays, extra expenses, or even losing your chance to drive legally.

A local Columbus DUI lawyer can step in to ensure nothing falls through the cracks. They know how Franklin County judges handle petitions for limited driving privileges, what the BMV requires for reinstatement, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Instead of guessing at forms or hoping the court approves your request, you should have someone advocate for you, making sure every step is done right and on time. That can save money and stress and, most importantly, get you back on the road sooner.

Need Legal Help & Driving Privileges after a Columbus OVI? Call LHA

When your license, record, and freedom are on the line, you can’t afford to wait or assume the system will sort itself out. The rules for driving privileges after an OVI are strict, and a criminal conviction can haunt you for years.

At Luftman, Heck & Associates, our Columbus DUI attorneys know how to move quickly, protect your rights, and fight for the driving privileges you need to keep your life on track. It may be the thing that keeps you employed, able to care for your loved ones, and ultimately free.

Contact LHA for a free and confidential case evaluation. Our experienced Columbus defense DUI lawyers will discuss securing driving privileges and how we can help after an OVI.