How long will I lose my license after a DWI in North Carolina?

Written By Jacob Harding

One of the first, and most common questions, that we get here at RecovrHub is “How long will I lose my license if I am convicted of my North Carolina DWI?” While at RecovrHub we focus on individual growth, Substance Use education and mitigating high risk choices associated with stress, we would be remiss if we did not work to help provide education to our clients to resolve this stress. We believe that providing tools to navigate life’s most pressing problems is a great start on the journey of self discovery.

So let’s break down this question into two smaller parts:

  • How long will I lose my license?

While this question is dependant on the individual and their previous history, we can normally answer this question by grouping DWI related suspensions into categories by looking at N.C.G.S. 20-16.5. For all DWI’s, immediatly following the initial charge, you will lose your license for 30 days. During this 30 day pre-trial suspension, client’s may apply for a pre-trial privilege, reducing the time of pre-trial suspension to 10 days, normally with the assistance of legal representation. After this pre-trial suspension, provided you have fulfilled all requirements such as obtaining a DWI assessment, client’s licenses become active.

The extended license suspension does not occur until after conviction. This is where things get complicated. The amount of time that a client loses their license is dependent on how many DWI convictions they have had prior to the most recent one. For the sake of simplicity, we have broken this down into four groups:

  • 1st DWI conviction in the last 7 years: 1 year license suspension

  • 2nd DWI conviction in the last 3 years: 4 year license suspension (Eligible for NCDMV hearing in 2 years)*

  • 2nd DWI conviction in the last 3-7 years: 1 year license suspension

  • 3rd DWI conviction in the last 10 years: Permenant revocation (Eligible for a NCDMV hearing in 4 years)*

While these license suspension times can seem staggering, it is important to remember that you may be eligable for a limited driving privilege (LDP) during the time of NCDMV license suspension. Ask your legal representation for more information about limited driving privleges if you have not done so already.

Now for the final step in our 2 part question:

  • Will I be convicted?

Anyone charged with a DWI in North Carolina will face a pre-trial license suspension, but you will only have the post-trial license suspension if you are convicted. Unfortunately, here at RecovrHub, we cannot tell you if you will be convicted or not. This is between you and your legal team. What we can do however, is walk with you every step of the way during the treatment process. We have helped thousands of client’s navigate the DWI landscape and the one certainty that we have found is the journey is easier when walking hand in hand with another person.

*To apply for a NCDMV hearing please visit https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/offices-services/administrative-hearings/Pages/default.aspx

This article does not constitute legal advice. Always seek the counsel of a licensed attorney.

Jacob Harding