One of the consequences of getting a DUI is losing your driving privileges. Most courts will revoke a person's driving privileges after a DUI occurs, even if it is a first-time offense. Without a driver's license, managing your life can be very difficult. There is a possibility, though, that you might be able to get an occupational driver's license. Here are three things you should know about this.

What is an occupational driver's license?

An occupational driver's license gives you certain types of driving privileges; however, there are restrictions. The first restriction is that it cannot be a commercial vehicle. In other words, you cannot drive a car that is for work purposes. The car must be a non-commercial automobile.

Secondly, this license will only give you permission to drive to certain places or during certain times of the day. In some cases, it will only give people permission to drive to and from work. In other cases, it will allow them to drive their children to school and extracurricular activities. There are also times when this type of license will allow a person to run errands, such as to the grocery store or pharmacy.

How do you get one?

Every state has different rules and requirements for issuing occupational driver's licenses, but it will take getting a court order for you to obtain one. To do this, you will need to hire a DUI lawyer to petition the court for this. The court will review the case and determine if they will allow you to have one, and this will often be based on the facts of the case and your criminal record.

If the court approves the request, they will notify the DMV about this, and you will receive instructions as to how you can get your occupational license. Once you get it, you should fully understand what it will allow you to do and what it will not allow you to do.

Will you need special insurance?

If you get approved for an occupational driver's license, you will most likely be required to purchase SR-22 insurance coverage. SR-22 coverage is auto insurance designed for high-risk drivers. If this coverage is required, you will not be able to obtain your occupational license until you have proof of SR-22 insurance coverage.

Getting an occupational driver's license after a DUI can make life a little easier to manage, but it can be difficult to get approved for one without a lawyer. To find out more about this, contact a good DUI lawyer like Thomas & Associates, PC.