California DUI Reinstatement

How to Get Your License Back After a DUI in California (2026)

This is the administrative path to reinstatement once your DUI case is resolved — sentence done, program enrolled or finished. It walks the steps California actually requires to clear the administrative suspension and put your license back in your hand.

For the case itself, a contested suspension, or a hearing — that's legal advice. Talk to a licensed attorney in California. The intake will route those matters to an attorney rather than prepare them.

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California DUI Administrative Road Back

The steps the DMV expects

Below is what California publishes for the administrative DUI reinstatement path. Where California hasn't published a value, we leave it out rather than guess.

Step 1

Serve the suspension period

The administrative suspension runs for the period California sets. It's separate from any criminal court sentence. The free roadmap below confirms the served period that applies to your case based on the intake answers you give.

Step 2

Complete the required program

California requires completion of a state-approved program before reinstatement. Only an approved provider counts — an un-approved course won't satisfy California, and the fee paid isn't refunded.

From the California requirements: y** hearing window → serve suspension → DUI school (3/6/18/30 mo) → SR-22 (3 yr) → IID (1–4 yr repeat/injury; immediate restricted

Step 3

Install an ignition interlock if required

California's DUI reinstatement requirements reference an ignition interlock device (IID). Whether IID applies depends on your case (first offense vs. repeat, BAC, injury, hardship-license status). The free roadmap surfaces what applies based on your intake answers.

Step 4

File the SR-22

California requires an SR-22 filing — proof of financial responsibility, filed by your insurer with the state. It must be maintained for the period the state requires; a lapse can re-suspend your license. Your insurer files it directly — you can't file it yourself. The free roadmap covers the maintenance period and lapse risk.

Step 5

Pay reinstatement fees

California reinstatement fees published at primary source:

$125 (online) — APS reissue fee — 21 and older
$100 (online) — APS reissue fee — under 21 (Zero Tolerance)
$15 (online) — DMV admin fee

Sourced from California: APS **10-day** hearing window → serve suspension → DUI school (3/6/18/30 mo) → SR-22 (3 yr) → IID (1–4 yr repeat/injury; immediate restricted for 1st) → **$125 reissue** → file **DL 4006**.

Two paths forward

Free

Do it yourself

California's DUI reinstatement information is published and free. Use the official link above and work through your free roadmap.

From $99

Or have us prepare your packet

Packet preparation isn't live for California yet — the free roadmap is still available now. We'll surface the prepared packet here when it opens.

What this page does and doesn't cover

Covered: the administrative road back to your California license once your DUI case is resolved. What California requires, the order, the fees, the forms.

Not covered: the criminal case itself, plea options, contested suspensions, hearings, or hardship-license strategy. Those are legal advice — we're not a law firm. The intake routes any hearing or contested matter to an attorney rather than preparing it.

Have other holds too?

Most DUI reinstaters also have at least one other hold (a lapsed insurance issue, an unpaid ticket, accumulated points). The free roadmap finds every hold on your case at once.

See all California reinstatement steps →

Ready to see California's DUI reinstatement steps for your case?

The intake takes about a minute. Your roadmap is free, and the DUI reason will be pre-checked — you can add other holds or remove it.

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