How to Apply For a Hardship License?

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A hardship license, or what many people call the Cinderella license, allows you to drive within a 12-hour window even though your license was suspended due to a DUI. In order to get a hardship license, you must prove that you have a medical, academic, or a work-related obligation that requires you to drive to and from it regularly and that public transportation does not adequately meet your needs.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles and the Board of Appeals hears cases not in a courtroom, but in a different location. Your hardship license hearing is different from the other hearings you have related to your DUI. It is wise to have an attorney either with you or to represent you in your absence at this hearing.

Hardship License Required Documents

Outlined below are the documents you will need to provide depending on which one relates to your needs:

●      For employment purposes: You will need a letter from your employer, printed on company letterhead, that lists what hours you work per week, how many hours, and that your ability to drive is required for your job. An offer letter from an employer with this information will also suffice. It would be wise to ask your employer for a character reference to go along with your letter, which should include your attendance record. They can also include what your position is. Freelancers and independent contractors will need to provide proof of their self-employment. Acceptable evidence includes professional licenses, tax forms (such as a 1099 or W-2), and a business certificate if you have registered your business.

●      For school purposes: Official proof of enrollment from your school's Registrar office will suffice.

●      For medical purposes: You will need to provide a letter from your treating physician explaining your treatment schedule, and that you need to drive to them.

●      If you cannot acquire any of these: If you cannot obtain any of these documents then you will want to speak to an attorney.

Volunteer opportunities or positions, such as being president of a volunteer organization or a council member, do not cause a hardship for the driver if they cannot meet those obligations and therefore are not grounds to grant such a license.

Why You Should Hire A Hardship License Attorney

If you're trying to stay in school, keep your job, or maintain your health, then you will want to hire a hardship license attorney because they can prevent some common reasons for applications to be denied.

If you cannot get any of the required documentation then you will need to speak to an attorney about what other documentation you can use or other solutions to your situation. One of the biggest reasons why applications are denied is that people fail to provide the correct form of documentation to prove that not driving presents a valid hardship in their life.

If you need to drive for more than 12 hours a day, such as for both school and for work, then your application will be denied. You will want to talk to your attorney about this.