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HomeVehicle CodeDiv. 6Ch. 2Art. 4§ 13558 Driver License Suspension Hearings

§ 13558 Driver License Suspension Hearings

Vehicle Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 13558 Driver License Suspension Hearings

This law says if your driver's license gets taken away, you can ask for a hearing to fight it. But you have to ask fast—within 10 days.

Key Takeaways

  • •You only get 10 days to ask for a hearing after getting a suspension notice.
  • •The hearing won’t stop your suspension right away—it stays in place unless the DMV takes too long to decide.
  • •Even if you win the hearing, the cops can still charge you in court for the same thing.
  • •The DMV won’t reduce your suspension time just because you asked for a hearing.

Example

You get pulled over for drunk driving, and the cop takes your license. You get a letter saying it’s suspended in 30 days.

If you want to fight it, you must ask for a hearing within 10 days of getting that letter. If you don’t ask in time, you lose your chance.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 13558 Driver License Suspension Hearings

(a) Any person, who has received a notice of an order of suspension or revocation of the person’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle pursuant to Section 13353, 13353.1, 13353.2, 13388, 23612, or 13382 or a notice pursuant to Section 13557, may request a hearing on the matter pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 14100) of Chapter 3, except as otherwise provided in this section. (b) If the person wishes to have a hearing before the effective date of the order of suspension or revocation, the request for a hearing shall be made within 10 days of the receipt of the notice of the order of suspension or revocation. The hearing shall be held at a place designated by the department as close as practicable to the place where the arrest occurred, unless the parties agree to a different location. Any evidence at the hearing shall not be limited to the evidence presented at an administrative review pursuant to Section 13557. (c) (1) The only issues at the hearing on an order of suspension or revocation pursuant to Section 13353 or 13353.1 shall be those facts listed in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 13557. Notwithstanding Section 14106, the period of suspension or revocation specified in Section 13353 or 13353.1 shall not be reduced and, notwithstanding Section 14105.5, the effective date of the order of suspension or revocation shall not be stayed pending review at a hearing pursuant to this section. (2) The only issues at the hearing on an order of suspension pursuant to Section 13353.2 shall be those facts listed in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 13557. Notwithstanding Section 14106, the period of suspension specified in Section 13353.3 shall not be reduced. (d) The department shall hold the administrative hearing before the effective date of the order of suspension or revocation if the request for the hearing is postmarked or received by the department on or before 10 days after the person’s receipt of the service of the notice of the order of suspension or revocation pursuant to Section 13353.2, 13388, 23612, or 13382. (e) A request for an administrative hearing does not stay the suspension or revocation of a person’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle. If the department does not conduct an administrative hearing and make a determination after an administrative hearing within the time limit in subdivision (d), the department shall stay the effective date of the order of suspension or revocation pending the determination and, if the person’s driver’s license has been taken by the peace officer pursuant to Section 13388, 23612, or 13382, the department shall notify the person before the expiration date of the temporary permit issued pursuant to Section 13388, 23612, or 13382, or the expiration date of any previous extension issued pursuant to this subdivision, provided the person is otherwise eligible, in a form that permits the person to establish to any peace officer that his or her privilege to operate a motor vehicle is not suspended or revoked. (f) The department shall give written notice of its determination pursuant to Section 14105. If the department determines, upon a hearing of the matter, to suspend or revoke the person’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle, notwithstanding the term of any temporary permit issued pursuant to Section 13388, 23612, or 13382, the temporary permit shall be revoked and the suspension or revocation of the person’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle shall become effective five days after notice is given. If the department sustains the order of suspension or revocation, the department shall include notice that the person has a right to review by the court pursuant to Section 13559. (g) A determination of facts by the department upon a hearing pursuant to this section has no collateral estoppel effect on a subsequent criminal prosecution and does not preclude litigation of those same facts in the criminal proceeding. (Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 451, Sec. 27. (SB 491) Effective January 1, 2016.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

order of suspension or revocationrequest a hearingeffective dateadministrative hearingprivilege to operate a motor vehicle

Related Statutes

  • § 13553 Unlicensed Driver Penalties
  • § 13559 Driver License Suspension Review
  • § 13357 Vehicle Privilege Suspension
  • § 13362 License Surrender And Suspension
  • § 13365.5 Driver License Suspension Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 13558.
View Official Source