My Driver's License Has Been Suspended for Almost 7 Years

[h2opolo5]

My question involves a driver's license issued by the State of: CA

I was involved in a traffic accident without insurance and had a civil judgement filed against me. The Judgement was issued in july of 2003 and my license has been suspended since that time. I have not made any payments on the debt that I owe because of the size of the debt.
I have looked into bankruptcy but I recently got a promotion at work and no longer qualify for bankruptcy. I'm starting to get some money saved up but still do not have the money to pay the debt. The collection agency is requiring a large down payment and then making monthly payments before they will release my DL. I was told that after seven years the judgement is no longer valid. My question is after seven years can I get my license back without paying the debt?

[That Guy]

There is no 7 year limit. The judgment must be satisfied before you license can be reinstated:

California vehicle Code Section 16371. The suspension shall remain in effect, and no license shall be issued to the judgment debtor until the judgment debtor gives proof of financial responsibility as provided in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 16430), and until either the judgment is satisfied in full or to the extent provided in this chapter, subject to the exemption provided in Section 16375.

You can read other related code sections here: CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE SECTION 16370-16381 (specifically, Section 16377 which tells you how much needs to be credited before your license can be released).

[jasminw]

7 year time frame applies to unsecured debt. i do not know about the debt you're in. if it's secured. you must pay

[h2opolo5]

Thats not what I wanted to hear but at least now I know what I need to do. thank you for your quick response.

[cincitosanfran]

I have same question but for the state of Ohio. My 7yr suspension expires in March of this year. Can the creditor reinstate the lien and extend suspension indefinitely? The accident was in 1998 and the civil judgement was in 2003.

[cyjeff]

I have same question but for the state of Ohio. My 7yr suspension expires in March of this year. Can the creditor reinstate the lien and extend suspension indefinitely? The accident was in 1998 and the civil judgement was in 2003.

Please start your own thread.

[Halfajap]

There is no 7 year limit. The judgment must be satisfied before you license can be reinstated:

California vehicle Code Section 16371. The suspension shall remain in effect, and no license shall be issued to the judgment debtor until the judgment debtor gives proof of financial responsibility as provided in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 16430), and until either the judgment is satisfied in full or to the extent provided in this chapter, subject to the exemption provided in Section 16375.

You can read other related code sections here: CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE SECTION 16370-16381 (specifically, Section 16377 which tells you how much needs to be credited before your license can be released).

I thought that the person who is owed the money needs to file something with the courts every so often in order to keep the suspension, no?

[Halfajap]

Restoration of Privileges When Judgment Unsatisfied

16482. (a) Any person whose privilege to operate a motor vehicle has been suspended because of failure to satisfy a judgment and the judgment has been outstanding for a period of three years or more, may be relieved of the penalties therein provided and the privilege of the person to operate a motor vehicle may be restored in the event the person files with the department and thereafter maintains proof of financial responsibility notwithstanding that the judgment which gave rise to the order of suspension has not been paid or fully satisfied.

(b) Any person who has filed proof of financial responsibility as required for three years, or who has been eligible to file that proof for three years, may be relieved of the requirement of filing proof as provided in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 16480.


I may be wrong, but from what that says, you can get your license after 3 years go by after an unsatisfied judgment so long as you show proof of insurance. And after 6 years, you wouldn't need that. So, at 7yrs, everything should be hunky dory. No?

[vicecitydreams]

My Driver's License Has Been Suspended here in Miami-Dade County since 2005 for a accident in 2001 i was victim to insurance fraud because when i had the accident they didnt cover anything i had the card there and everything.and now i have a collections laywer asking for a price thats out of this world with interest,etc.what can i do with this fr judgement i have on my florida drivers license.And another issue is there anything i can do because on top of everything else i was arrested in 2009 for possesion of a suspended license mind you i was not driving i was in a routine traffic stop in the passenger seat went to jail and couldnt follow up on this case like go to court because i lived out of the country That was in 2009.What can i do?Thanks