Q: Will I be charged for driving before completing DUI classes?
I was suspended due to a DUI conviction, and my suspension period ends on April 25, 2025. I am currently in the process of completing the required substance abuse classes. I contacted the transportation cabinet to inquire about a hardship license but was informed that I won't be eligible for it since my suspension will be over after April 25. If I am pulled over before completing these classes, would I be charged with having no license or driving on a DUI suspended license?
A: If you are caught inner before April 25, you could be charged with osl-dui 1st. After April 25, it would just be osl.
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A:
If you drive before fully completing your DUI-required substance abuse classes—even after the suspension period ends—you may still be considered ineligible for full license reinstatement. In many states, including Kentucky, completing those classes is a condition for restoring driving privileges. So even though your suspension period ends on April 25, if the classes aren’t done, your license is technically not valid.
If you are pulled over before finishing the classes and receiving official reinstatement from the transportation cabinet, you could be charged with driving on a DUI-suspended license. This charge often carries significant penalties, including fines, possible jail time, and an extended suspension. The distinction between “no license” and “DUI-suspended license” depends on how the system categorizes your status at the time, but both can lead to legal consequences.
It’s frustrating, especially after waiting out the suspension period, but driving before you’re officially cleared puts you at risk. Until you’ve completed all requirements and received confirmation that your license is reinstated, it's best to avoid getting behind the wheel. Taking that risk could set you back and create even more obstacles to getting back to normal life.
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