HELP My drivers license is suspended

[undeterred]

because I forgot to pay a speeding ticket fine that was due a month ago. I just got the scary letter in the mail. I can't take care of it now because the courthouse is closed.

I lost my debit credit card a month ago and called for a new one but never got it. I was going to pay the fine when I got it, but it never came. I called yesterday and they said it was never ordered but promised I would have it by Monday.

Will they unsuspend my license when I pay the fine?

If they don't it will be illegal for me to drive, and impossible for me to work.

Please tell me its going to be ok.

I can't deal with this. :cry:

edit: I got no other bad stuff on my record

[billyskank]

1. It's going to be ok

:hug:

[undeterred]

2. thanks

but aren't you a brit?

[billyskank]

3. Yes

Is that a problem?

[undeterred]

4. have you ever had a US drivers license suspended?

[billyskank]

5. I haven't even had a British one suspended

Sorry, no advice.

I'll get my coat.

[undeterred]

12. You are too well behaved and ethical for us

Returning credit card money and such...

Can you teach us to swear in British? :evilgrin:

[mcscajun]

6. Depends on what the letter said.

And whatever you do, DON'T drive yourself to go pay the fine.

[undeterred]

9. It was a form letter.

I have no drunk driving, not enough points to suspend, I knew this could happen if I waited too long, and honestly I was just about to do it... its a really scary feeling that I can't go anywhere, especially when I am about to start a new job.

I'm sure I can pay it over the phone, but I've been waiting a month for the damn debit card.

I have no idea what purpose it would serve to suspend the license after they collect the money due.

I'm kicking myself.

Its really scary.

[taterguy]

7. Everything will be ok

It happens all the time. Relax. In the meantime get used to riding a bike :)

[undeterred]

11. Still a lotta snow here in Wisconsin

but there is a bus system and I lived here for over 2 years without a car before I bought one so- I can handle it. Its just hard to carry groceries.

[Chan790]

8. Claim you paid it by check by mail...

and offer to pay it in person ASAP in cash (but they have to reimburse you when they find the check.). DMVs are bureaucratic nightmares, they'll have no idea how to check that you're lying. I know this because my stepfather actually did pay with a check (in person), lost his receipt, got his license suspended and had to pay it again...plus a late fee larger than the initial fine. You'd think CT would be better than that, but no. Poor showing, Connecticut.

[undeterred]

10. The courthouse I owe is 53 miles from where I live

so I have no way to get there without driving. I just need the damn debit card unless they will take a check over the phone. I guess I could say I already mailed a check.

I hate having to wait till Monday. Guess I will just hunker down.

[Truthiness Inspector]

14. I wouldn't suggest this

For the OP, just go in Monday when you get your debit card and take care of it. The point is that payment hasn't been received and a "check's in the mail" story isn't going to make a difference, and it isn't like they haven't heard that one before. We all make mistakes. Good luck, and I hope they reinstate your license once they receive payment on Monday.

[nytemare]

13. If your profile state is correct, this may help

http://www.dmv.org/wi-wisconsin/suspended-license.php

[undeterred]

15. thank you

thats extremely helpful

Sounds like a lot of bureaucratic jumping through hoops more than anything else. I still have the license in my posession, so this shouldn't be too terrible. I have a job interview Monday, thank GOD its a phone interview.

[nytemare]

29. Good luck.

:D

[rug]

16. Sorry, you've already been declared an unlicensed enemy combatant.

[Roon]

17. Just make sure you go into the DMV when you pay your fine

I once paid a fine and they still kept my license suspended because I never went in to get my picture taken and get a new card issued. I almost went to jail over that when I got in an accident later.

[AlCzervik]

18. don't worry, you pay your ticket and the fines and make a copy of everything

i mean everything. they just want your money and yes you'll get your license back.

[hfojvt]

19. it will be okay

they are just trying to collect some money

[Nicole]

20. Was it a certified letter?

If not, then I would continue to drive and pretend that I never received the letter if asked about it. :rofl:

[undeterred]

22. No, it wasn't

And the funny thing is I just found another piece of mail from the DMV that I had never opened about how to reduce the points on your license by sitting through a stinking class at a community college. Guess I better sign up because the points did make my insurance go up.

If they catch you driving on a suspended license the fine can be $5000. Not sure I want to risk that.

[EFerrari]

23. That's the ticket! Good call!

It IS going to be all right. Un, see if you can get a note from the bank about the card mix up.

:hug:

[undeterred]

25. You are so nice.

:hug: Thanks.

[EFerrari]

27. No, listen. I just got my license straightened out after not dealing with

it for 8 years. And, it turned out to be really easy. :shrug:

They WANT you to have a license because it's a source of revenue. Remember that!

:)

[grasswire]

21. get money from the bank on Monday...

....and ask a friend to drive you to the courthouse and the DMV. Don't wait for the debit card to come in the mail. OR, just don't drive until you can get it squared away. If you drive and get caught, your current misery will seem like a beach party in comparison.

BTW, how much is the fine? Perhaps you could have drawn $$ from the bank to pay it without waiting for the ATM card.

[undeterred]

24. The fine was $126 for the speeding ticket

and the reinstatement fee for the license is $50. I am desperately searching for the old debit card, as I think I lost it at home, but really, the new one should be here Monday. I am between jobs and at home all day anyway, so this would be a lot worse if I were working now.

And this courthouse is 53 miles away from the town I live in (I was commmuting to another city and got the ticket there), so there is no way I could get there without driving on a suspended license and posing an enormous inconvenience to someone else, like asking them to take off a whole day of work. Best to handle it all over the phone. I will have the debit card Tuesday at the latest and hopefully this will be all over.

[grasswire]

26. there's still time to put a check in the mail today

Would that work?

[undeterred]

28. Well, if I get a job offer it could start as soon as

Tuesday or Wednesday and I would hate to have to tell them I couldn't start because of a suspended license or have them do a background check and find it. Even if this is the only time in my life this ever happens and its for a stupid reason like forgetting to pay a speeding ticket fine, it doesn't look good. So I am hoping to clear it up by close of business Monday. The job I am interviewing for involves a lot of driving and I don't want them to think I am a flake.

[Kali]

30. In my state you can do it on-line, but the phone never works.

Relax you will be fine. Insurance is more important.

[dysfunctional press]

31. if you just got the letter in the mail- what is the actual date of the suspension?

usually, the letter comes as an advance warning.

also- was the letter certified? (did you have to sign for it?) if not, there's no proof that you ever got that letter.

i wouldn't be too concerned, and just take care of it on monday.

[undeterred]

32. not a certified letter

but suspended for 2 years!

Says I may be eligible to drive again when fine is paid if license is still in my possession, which it is. I think I just have to fork over the money, like NOW. $126 plus $50 reinstatement

I have no other bad stuff so, I think this is just their way of shaking it out of me NOW. And it will work.