Under a new Georgia law, first time DUI offenders will be eligible for a hardship permit that allows them more latitude in driving. Senate Bill 236 was signed into law and goes into effect January 1, 2013. The new law will allow those convicted of a first DUI in five years to apply for a hardship or limited driving permit that allows them to drive:
- to a place of employment
- to receive medical care or obtain prescription drugs
- to attend college or school
- to attend meetings of support and treatment groups (A/A, etc.)
- to attend a court ordered driving or alcohol drug course of program (DUI School)
- to attend court, report to a probation officer, and perform community service hours included in a DUI sentence
- to transport an immediate family member without a license to work, medical care, prescriptions, or school
Under the old law, those activities listed in #6 and #7 were not included under a limited permit, thus putting those convicted of DUI at an extreme hardship for performing routine, day-to-day activities that most people must perform. To obtain a hardship permit, you must still go to a Department of Driver Services facility that issues the permit and show that the failure to issue the permit would cause you an extreme hardship. Additionally, this new law does not go into effect until January 1, 2013, meaning that for now, the added benefits are not in effect.
If you are facing a DUI conviction and have questions about the impact a DUI will have on your driver's license, contact our office directly to discuss your options.