What is a hardship license, and how do you get one?
Here's everything you should know about getting a hardship license and examples of how they work in different parts of the U.S.
A hardship license grants limited driving privileges to people in certain circumstances, such as adults with a suspended driver's license. In some states, even teenagers too young to apply for standard driver's licenses may qualify if they lack transportation for school or other vital needs.
Typically, a hardship license restricts driving to essential places only, such as traveling to and from work, school, medical appointments, and the grocery store. It might also restrict driving to certain hours during the day.
Other names for a hardship license: In some states, a hardship license is called a restricted license, occupational limited license, or limited driving permit. In New Hampshire, they sometimes call it a Cinderella license.
The eligibility rules for hardship licenses differ from state to state, so check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or your state's .gov website. Here are some examples of how to qualify for a hardship license in some states:
To get an Alabama hardship license, adults with suspended or revoked licenses who can't find reasonable transportation can apply. This includes those participating in a state Department of Corrections work release or community corrections treatment programs and those who have been released from corrections custody.
Drivers whose licenses have been suspended for at least 30 days and who have no other adequate transportation may qualify for a California hardship license. Drivers must be in California, at least 21 years old at the time of their arrests or detainments, and have submitted to an alcohol or other chemical screening test when they were pulled over.
Learn more: Car insurance requirements in California — and ways to save money
Drivers with suspended licenses for certain offenses can apply. The waiting period to apply varies depending on the type of offense. Drivers with suspensions for certain offenses (like child support delinquency), however, are not eligible.
Learn more: Florida car insurance: Why experts recommend more than just minimum coverage
There are two types of hardship licenses in New York:
Conditional licenses: These are for drivers whose licenses have been suspended or revoked because of an alcohol- or drug-related violation.
Restricted use licenses: These are for those with other types of violations. To get a conditional license, a driver must attend an impaired driver program.
Learn more: New York state car insurance: Review your options and how to save
Drivers with suspended licenses may qualify for an occupational limited license. However, a long list of violations could make you ineligible, including driving under the influence. You're also not eligible if your license was revoked, disqualified, canceled, or recalled.
In Tennessee, teens ages 14 and 15 who lack transportation to school, a job that supports the family, or medical appointments may be eligible.
Teens at least 15 years old who have completed a driver's education course may qualify for a minor's restricted driver's license if they wouldn't otherwise have transportation to school or need to drive to help support their family.
Drivers whose licenses have been suspended for certain offenses, other than child support delinquency, may qualify for an occupational license to drive for work, essential household duties, and school.
Learn more: Car insurance costs are big in Texas. Here's how to get the cheapest rates.
Generally, hardship licenses limit driving to traveling to and from work, school, and medical appointments, but some establish terms on a case-by-case basis.
Some states outline a broader set of driving purposes. For example, Alabama drivers with hardship licenses can also drive to church, the grocery store, court-ordered programs, and polling places to vote.
Some hardship license rules limit when you can drive. Tennessee's hardship license for minors, for example, restricts driving time to daylight hours.
Always check with your state first to ensure you know what you'll need to do. But generally, to get a hardship license, you'll need to:
Fill out a hardship license application.
Provide qualifying documentation.
Pay any applicable fees.
In addition to the above, depending on your state, you might also need to:
Complete a driving class. In Florida, for example, you apply through a local Administrative Reviews Office and must show proof of completing an Advanced Driver Improvement course as part of the application process.
Attend an impaired driver education program. If your suspension was for a DUI or DWI, you might have to complete an alcohol- or drug-related treatment program. New York, for example, requires applicants for a conditional license to attend an impaired driver program approved by the DMV.
Install an ignition interlock device. In some instances, for drug- and alcohol-related violations, a restricted license may require your vehicle to have an ignition interlock device (IID). Equipped with a breathalyzer that measures the driver's blood alcohol, the IID prevents the car from starting if any alcohol is detected.
Meet other requirements. Some states have other tasks you must complete to be eligibletoo. Massachusetts, for example, requires applicants to attend a Registry of Motor Vehicles hearing.
Depending on the state, a hardship license may be valid until the end of your suspension, or it could expire after a certain period, such as one year, and then be renewed.
After losing your driving privileges, you can expect two impacts on your car insurance:
Your rates will go up. When insurers consider you a higher risk driver after a serious violation, your rates will go up.
You might need to show proof of insurance. Depending on your state, you may need a special form to prove you have car insurance so that you can qualify for a hardship license.
Learn more: Most common types of car insurance explained
The SR-22 insurance form certifies that you have the state-required minimum amount of car insurance.
In Florida and Virginia, the form is called an FR-44. It's similar to an SR-22 except it also proves you have higher liability insurance limits than the state requires.
Learn more: Minimum car insurance requirements in all 50 U.S. states
The insurance company will file the SR-22 or FR-44 for you; however, some insurers don't offer an SR-22, so you may need to shop around to find companies that do.
Direct Auto, GEICO, The General, and Progressive are among insurers that file SR-22 or FR-44 forms for customers who need them.
Learn more:How to switch car insurance companies
In some cases, you can — as long as you follow the rules set by the state you're driving to. If you have a probation officer, you may also need to get a travel permit approved if the law requires it.
Yes, a hardship license can be revoked if you violate its terms and conditions or are convicted of an offense with a suspension penalty.
License fees vary by state, but range from $36 to $100 in most states. For example, a hardship license costs $36.25 in Alabama, $88 in Pennsylvania, and $100 in California.
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