Waiting Periods— Why wouldn’t an Order take effect as soon as the Judge signs it?
An Order for ODL will take effect as soon as a judge signs it UNLESS one of the following waiting periods (also called “hard suspension”) applies.
If your license was suspended for refusing or failing a blood or breath test when arrested for DWI or other alcohol or drug-related driving or boating offense, the order for ODL cannot take effect for:
- 90 days after your license was suspended — if during the 5 years before your arrest your license was suspended because of an alcohol or drug-related arrest.
- 180 days after your license was suspended — if during the 5 years before your arrest your license was suspended because of a DWI, Intoxication Assault, or Manslaughter conviction.
- 365 days after your license was suspended — if during the 5 years before your arrest your license was suspended because of a second (or more) DWI, Intoxication Assault, or Manslaughter conviction.