Note: The new breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID) law in effect as of January 2009, replaces the JDP with a Monitoring Device Driver’s Permit (MDDP).
An Illinois judicial driving permit, or JDP, is a limited use drivers license that allows you to drive after a license suspension for a DUI conviction.
How Does A Judicial Driving Permit in Illinois work?
When working out a deal on a DUI charge, we will draft a motion/petition the judge to approve the JDP.
In order to get a Judicial Driving Permit approved, you must:
- In Cook County, you must complete an alcohol/drug/substance abuse evaluation from the Central States Institute of Addiction (CSIA)
- You must provide proof in the form of a letter from your employer that you must drive to get to work, and no reasonable public transportation alternatives are available.
- Once you are approved by the judge, the paperwork is sent to the Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services Dept (DMV). You must wait for the notification from them that you are approved to drive, and what hours are approved.
Note: the first 31 days of your license is suspended is mandatory. The rest of that suspension, whether it is 3 months or two years, depending on the facts of the charge, and the sentence issued by the judge, you will be eligible to drive under the JDP.
A judicial driving permit is available to most Illinois driver’s after a 1st offense DUI charge. If you have a second (2nd) offense charge within the previous 5 years, you may be able to get a restricted driving permit (see below).
What if I am not eligible for a judicial driving permit?
There may still be other options. We can petition the secretary of state for a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP). The restricted driving permit s is an option in cases where you may not be eligible for a JDP, such as if you’ve had a previous DUI conviction within 5 years. If we can document sufficient hardship to your livelihood, family, or other situations, they may issue this Restricted License. We need to appear at a Secretary of State hearings officer at the Illinois Driver Services Department, and make our case.