Restrictions of Limited Driving Privilege (LDP):
Even before you are convicted of a DWI charge, you will immediately start feeling the effects of drinking and driving by design. The DWI laws of North Carolina have two prongs. The first is the criminal side which carries certain rights, defenses, and the presumption of innocence. The other aspect is the civil side or privilege to drive. Here, there are very few rights and even fewer defenses. The Department of Motor Vehicles does provide for certain limited driving privileges, including pre-trial and post-conviction “hardship” licenses. However, after going through the process and realizing the fairly extreme restrictions on when you can drive, you may feel like it is anything but a privilege.
Because this is a “limited driving privilege” (LDP) or “hardship” license, there are certain restrictions regarding the exact days and specific hours you will be able to legally drive. The “standard hours” a judge will allow are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. However, if necessary, we can request “extended hours” if you work outside of the standard hours, such as weekends or attend school where you need to be able to go to class. We will need a letter from your employer, on your company’s letterhead, confirming your work schedule. If you are a student, we will need an unofficial transcript verifying enrollment. You can usually print this document from the internet. With the “extended hours,” students can study at the library or go to other classmates houses, provided it is anything school related. However, please be aware that violating the provisions of a LDP is serious. Your driving privilege will be immediately rescinded, and you will have to explain to the judge who issued the privilege why you essentially violated a court order. You might even be subject to contempt. Please make sure you can confine your driving to the standard hours before we apply for a privilege.
- Standard Hours: Monday – Friday 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Extended Hours: Saturday and Sunday and after 8 p.m. on Weekdays
Be Safe. Get Home.