Understanding License Suspension
A license suspension is an administrative or judicial sanction resulting in a temporary ban on driving a vehicle requiring a license. It is a road safety measure following one or more serious traffic violations.
This penalty is usually imposed by the prefect or a judge, depending on the nature of the offense. It can last from a few days to several years, depending on the severity of the offense. During this period, the driver is prohibited from driving a vehicle requiring a license.
Administrative suspension : often issued by the prefect following certain serious traffic violations.
Judicial suspension : punishes an offense under the Highway Code or the Penal Code, and may or may not be preceded by an administrative suspension.
However, it is possible to drive certain types of vehicles during the suspension period, under certain conditions.
What offenses result in a driving license suspension?
In the event of an offense being fined by the police, they may withhold the driving license and send a copy of the report to the prefect so that he can proceed with an administrative suspension of the license .
The following offenses are punishable by license suspension:
- speeding in excess of 40 km/h;
- driving under the influence of drugs;
- driving under the influence of alcohol;
- refusal to comply;
- driving while holding a telephone in hand when the driver is at the same time committing another traffic violation;
In general, the maximum duration of an administrative suspension is 6 months , increased to 1 year for the most serious offenses. Judicial suspension can be up to 5 years .
Good to know : If your license is suspended for more than one month, you must undergo a medical examination to get your license back. If the suspension is for six months or more, you must also pass a psychometric test.
Car insurance without a license
A license suspension can be due to a variety of reasons. The most common offenses leading to this sanction include speeding , driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs , refusing to comply with a traffic order, or hit and run . More serious reasons such as unintentional injury or manslaughter can also lead to a suspension.
In addition, an accumulation of points lost on the license can lead to a suspension, as can a medical decision in the event of health problems that may affect driving ability. It is essential to comply with the suspension decision to avoid additional sanctions.
Suspension of driving license for medical reasons
A driving licence may also be suspended for medical reasons. Decided by the prefect, the suspension takes place if the departmental medical commission or the approved doctor considers, after a medical examination, that you are unfit to drive .
The prefect may also decide to subject you to a medical examination if he has information allowing him to estimate that your state of health may be incompatible with maintaining your driving license.