In Drunk-Driving Cases, Both the Court and the DMV may Issue a Driver’s License Suspension

Now eventually, on a drunk-driving case the court may suspend your license. However you still have to contend with the Ohio Department of Motor Vehicles and let me give you an example. If you are charged with drunk driving and you are a refusal; you refuse the test that results in a one year suspension from the BMV.

If the Original Charges are Reduced to a Non-Suspension Infraction in Court, the BMV Will Still Uphold Their Suspension

If the prosecutor agrees that the case is weak and the charge should be dismissed to reckless op and the court gives charges; you plead to reckless op and the court issues no suspension.

That Administrative License Suspension for refusing the test is still in place. You still will be suspended for a year even though the drunk-driving charge was reduced.

By Law in Ohio, a Second Drunk-Driving Offense is Six Years Entails a Required Ignition Interlock Device Installation and a Restricted License Plate

Interviewer: Can the BMV require a driver to install an ignition interlock device if they receive a drunk-driving charge?

Dale Naticchia: That’s done, actually that’s a requirement, it’s done by the court but it’s required by the legislature after a second offense in six years. The court has no choice if you plead guilty or are found guilty of a drunk-driving charge to issue the interlock and a restricted plate. Of course the BMV is the one that issues that restricted plate.