Will I Lose My License After a First DUI in Illinois?

 Posted on January 07, 2026 in DUI

Illinois does not wait for a conviction to take action against your license, even for a first-time DUI offense. As of 2026, Illinois DUI law still allows driving privileges to be suspended shortly after an arrest through an administrative process that is separate from the criminal case. This happens often, but it typically isn’t permanent.

In a 2025 survey funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation, about 4.9 percent of Illinois drivers reported driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs in the prior 30 days. If you are facing this situation, speaking early with a Joliet, IL DUI defense lawyer can help you protect your ability to drive.

How Does Illinois Suspend Your License After a First DUI?

After a DUI arrest, the officer usually takes your physical driver’s license and gives you a temporary driving permit. This permit allows you to drive legally for 45 days. When that permit expires, the license suspension begins unless it is stopped through a legal challenge.

This suspension is authorized under Illinois law, including the statutory summary suspension process outlined in 625 ILCS 5/11-501.1. The suspension is based on the arrest, not a conviction. It is handled by the Illinois Secretary of State instead of the criminal court. This means a driver can lose their license even before the DUI case is finished.

How Long Will My License Be Suspended After a First DUI?

For a first DUI arrest in Illinois, the length of the suspension depends on whether you took a chemical test and the result. Drivers who take the test and register over the legal limit usually face a six-month suspension. Those who refuse testing typically face a 12-month suspension. In either situation, the suspension starts automatically after the temporary driving permit expires and can apply even if the DUI charge is later reduced or dismissed.

Can I Drive at All During a First DUI License Suspension?

In many first-offense cases, Illinois allows limited driving through a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP), a type of restricted driving governed by 625 ILCS 5/6-206.1. This permit allows certain drivers to continue driving during the suspension if they install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle.

An ignition interlock device is a breath-testing device connected to the vehicle’s ignition. It requires you to provide a clean breath sample before the vehicle will start. It allows you to continue working and handling family responsibilities, but it comes with strict requirements, ongoing costs, and compliance rules that must be followed closely.

What Determines Whether I Qualify for Limited Driving After a DUI in Illinois?

Not everyone qualifies for an MDDP. Eligibility depends on several details tied to the arrest and your driving history. Common factors that affect eligibility include:

• Whether you refused chemical testing

• Whether this is truly a first DUI offense

• Prior license suspensions or revocations

• Compliance with Secretary of State requirements

An experienced attorney can review these details and explain whether limited driving is an option in your case.

Can I Fight or Challenge A First DUI License Suspension?

Illinois law allows drivers to request a hearing to challenge the statutory summary suspension. This hearing focuses on specific legal questions, not whether you were guilty of DUI.

Issues that may be raised include whether the officer had a valid reason for the stop, whether proper warnings were given, and whether testing followed required procedures. These hearings must be requested quickly. Missing a deadline can mean losing the right to challenge the suspension altogether.

How Is a DUI Criminal Case Different From a License Suspension?

The DUI charge itself is handled in criminal court. A first DUI is usually a misdemeanor and may involve fines, probation, alcohol education programs, or other penalties. The license suspension, however, is administrative and moves forward even if the criminal case takes time.

Because these processes are separate, handling one does not automatically resolve the other. Both need attention early, and our experienced attorney can help.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Will County, IL DUI Defense Attorney

If you are facing a first DUI, your driver’s license may be at risk within weeks. At Law Office of Eric J. Blatti, P.C., we can help you understand both the license suspension process and the criminal case. Attorney Blatti is local to the Joliet area and brings experience from working as a public defender. He also has established professional relationships with attorneys and judges in Will County. That background helps when navigating procedures, deadlines, and negotiations.

Call 815-744-2500 to schedule a free consultation with a Joliet, IL DUI defense lawyer today.