Last updated: March 10, 2026
What Happens After a DUI in California
You were arrested. Now what? Here's what happens next — step by step, in plain English.
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After a DUI arrest in California, the single most important thing you need to do is contact the DMV within 10 days and request an Admin Per Se (APS) hearing. Call (800) 777-0133. If you miss this deadline, your license is automatically suspended at 30 days — no hearing, no appeal.
The 10-Day Rule
You have 10 days from the date of your arrest to contact the California DMV and request an Admin Per Se (APS) hearing. If you miss this window, your license is automatically suspended on day 31. No exceptions. No extensions.
Call (800) 777-0133 or go to dmv.ca.gov to submit your request online.
What the Officer Took
If the officer confiscated your physical driver's license, you were given a pink temporary license. That pink slip is your valid license for the next 30 days. Keep it on you at all times. It is legal to drive with it.
If you requested a DMV hearing within 10 days, your temporary driving privileges are extended until the hearing takes place.
What Happens to Your License
Two completely separate processes start running at the same time after your arrest:
- 1.DMV Administrative Suspension — The DMV decides whether to suspend your license. This is handled through the APS hearing you request within 10 days.
- 2.Criminal Court Case — The court handles fines, jail, probation, DUI school, and your criminal record.
These are independent. Winning in court does not automatically save your license. You must fight both separately.
Your First Court Date
Your arraignment — the first court appearance — is typically scheduled 2 to 6 weeks after your arrest. At arraignment, you enter your plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest).
Do not go to arraignment without talking to an attorney first. Many California DUI attorneys offer free initial consultations. What you say and how you plead at arraignment affects everything that follows.
What a California DUI Conviction Means
DUI school (3-9 months), possible ignition interlock, 3-5 years probation.
License suspension is separate from criminal penalties.
Ignition Interlock Device (IID)
California requires an ignition interlock device for most DUI convictions. The IID is a breathalyzer wired to your car's ignition — you blow into it before starting the vehicle and at random intervals while driving.
- •Installation cost: $70–$150
- •Monthly maintenance: $60–$80
- •Duration: 6 months (first offense), 1 year (second), 2 years (third)
Installing an IID lets you get a restricted license immediately — without waiting for the suspension period to end.
SR-22 Insurance
You will need SR-22 insurance to reinstate your license after a DUI in California. SR-22 is not a type of insurance — it's a certificate your insurer files with the DMV proving you carry the state-required minimum coverage.
Expect your insurance rates to increase significantly. Most drivers pay $1,800–$5,000+ per year extra for 3 years. Full SR-22 guide →