Getting Limited Driving Privileges After License Suspension in North Carolina

In North Carolina, when you’re convicted of a DWI (driving while impaired) or certain other driving offenses, the court or the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will suspend your license. The length of a license suspension varies depending on the type of offense and the driver’s prior record.

A first DWI conviction generally results in a revocation of one year, and repeat or aggravated DWIs can result in longer revocations. Other traffic offenses can carry suspensions of 30 days, 60 days, or other fixed periods. However, most drivers whose licenses are suspended can get a “limited driving privilege” (also called a “restricted” or “hardship” license) for driving to and from certain places during specific times. (N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 20-16.1, 20-20.1, 20-19, 20-179.3 (2026).)

Purpose and Conditions of a Limited Driving Privilege

The court can issue a limited driving privilege to a driver whose license has been suspended when necessary for the driver’s:

• employment
• household maintenance
• education
• attendance at court-ordered treatment or assessments
• completion of community service that's ordered as a condition of probation
• emergency medical care, and
• religious worship.

A restricted license doesn’t restore all driving privileges—it comes with numerous conditions that specify when and where the motorist can drive. (N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 20-16.1, 20-20.1, 20-179.3 (2026).)

How to Obtain a Hardship License

Hearing. To obtain a limited driving privilege in North Carolina, the driver must first apply and request a hearing. The hearing will be handled by the judge who presided over the impaired driving case, the senior resident superior court judge, or the chief district court judge. The prosecutor’s office is notified of the hearing and will have an opportunity to present arguments as to why the privilege shouldn’t be granted. But it’s ultimately up to the judge to determine whether to issue the limited driving privilege.

Requirements. Motorists who are convicted of a DWI in North Carolina are generally eligible for a limited driving privilege if:

• they held a valid driver’s license (or one expired less than a year) at the time of the DWI offense
• they have no prior DWI convictions that occurred within seven years of the current DWI offense
• a level III, IV, or V punishment was imposed for their DWI conviction
• they haven’t been charged with or convicted of another DWI, and
• they have obtained and filed with the court a substance abuse assessment.

A driver convicted of only one DWI in the previous seven years may qualify for limited driving privilege if:

• the driver had a valid license (or one expired less than a year) at the time of the offense
• the driver’s BAC was below 0.15
• a level III, IV, or V punishment was imposed for their DWI conviction (or level II, where the only grossly aggravating factor is a prior DWI within seven years)
• the driver hasn’t been charged with or convicted of another DWI
• the driver’s vehicle has an ignition interlock device (IID) installed, and
• the driver has obtained and filed with the court a substance abuse assessment.

(N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-179.3 (2026).)

However, DWI offenders who are deemed “high-risk” drivers—meaning they had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15% or more—are subject to additional requirements. Drivers convicted of DWI with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15% or more may receive a limited driving privilege only if the court orders them to drive a designated vehicle equipped with an approved IID. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-179.3 (2026).)

Violating the Restrictions of a Hardship License

A person who violates any of the restrictions of a hardship license can be charged with driving while license revoked for impaired driving, a class 1 misdemeanor. A conviction is punishable by a fine and up to 120 days in jail. If a motorist has a limited driving privilege and commits an IID violation during the last 90 days of the required IID period, the revocation and limited privilege will be extended for at least 90 days, even if they aren’t prosecuted for driving while license revoked. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-179.3 (2026).)

Getting Legal Help

The consequences of having your license suspended can create considerable practical difficulties. If your license has been suspended, you should talk to an experienced local attorney right away. A qualified lawyer can explain whether you’re eligible for a hardship license and how to go about applying.