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Attorney at Law

Phone: (765) 423-2557

Fax: (765) 423-4544

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Lafayette, IN 47901

2015 Changes to Indiana's Driving Privileges


As of January 1, 2015, Indiana eliminated hardship and probationary licenses and replaced them with special driving privileges permits.  Under this new law, individuals with habitual traffic violator suspensions of five years, ten years or lifetime suspensions are potentially eligible for immediate driving privileges for work or other necessities of life.  You can also receive special driving privileges while your operating while intoxicated case is pending as well as during a suspension for not having insurance.

The following individuals are ineligible for a specialized driving permit:
    (1) A person who has never had a valid Indiana driver's license.
    (2) A person who holds a commercial driver's license.
    (3) A person who has refused to submit to a chemical test offered for an operating while intoxicated arrest.
    (4) a person convicted of an offense that includes the element of causing the death of another person and the offense involved the operation of a motor vehicle.

Otherwise, you may qualify for specialized driving privileges allowing you to travel to work or any other purpose a court determines appropriate for you.

Specialized driving privileges shall be granted for at least one hundred eighty days and must be determined by a court and may include, but are not limited to:
    (1) requiring the use of ignition interlock devices; and
    (2) restricting a person to being allowed to operate a motor vehicle:
        (A) during certain hours of the day; or
        (B) between specific locations and the person's residence.
A person who has been granted specialized driving privileges shall:
    (1) maintain proof of future financial responsibility insurance during the period of specialized driving privileges;
    (2) carry a copy of the order granting specialized driving privileges or have the order in the vehicle being operated by the person; and
    (3) produce the copy of the order granting specialized driving privileges upon the request of a police officer.

Trial court judges do not have to grant requests for specialized driving privileges, but may if the judge believes the driving privileges are appropriate.  Therefore, you should hire experienced traffic and criminal defense lawyers such as Vonderheide & Knecht to discuss your options under the new special driving privileges law.

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