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HomeVehicle CodeDiv. 11.5Ch. 2Art. 6§ 23597 10-Year License Revocation

§ 23597 10-Year License Revocation

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

§ 23597 10-Year License Revocation

This law says that if someone gets caught driving drunk three or more times, a judge can take away their driver's license for 10 years. After 5 years, they might get it back if they follow strict rules, like using a special device that stops the car if they've been drinking.

Key Takeaways

  • •If you get caught driving drunk 3 or more times, you could lose your license for 10 years.
  • •After 5 years, you might get your license back if you use a special device in your car that checks if you've been drinking.
  • •You must also finish a special class about drinking and driving, and stay out of trouble during those 5 years.
  • •If you try to cheat or remove the device, you'll lose your license again for the full 10 years.

Example

John was caught driving drunk three times in the last 10 years. The last time, he crashed his car and hurt someone.

Because John kept driving drunk, a judge can take his license away for 10 years. After 5 years, he can ask to get it back, but only if he uses a special breathalyzer in his car for 2 more years and follows other rules.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 23597 10-Year License Revocation

(a) Notwithstanding Sections 13202.5, 13203, and 13352, a court may order a 10-year revocation of the driver’s license of a person who has been convicted of three or more separate violations of Section 23152 or 23153, the last of which is punishable under Section 23546, 23550, 23550.5, or 23566. When making this order, the court shall consider all of the following: (1) The person’s level of remorse for the acts. (2) The period of time that has elapsed since the person’s previous convictions. (3) The person’s blood-alcohol level at the time of the violation. (4) The person’s participation in an alcohol treatment program. (5) The person’s risk to traffic or public safety. (6) The person’s ability to install a functioning, certified ignition interlock device in each motor vehicle that he or she operates. (b) Upon receipt of a duly certified abstract of the record of the court showing the court has ordered a 10-year revocation of a driver’s license pursuant to this section, the department shall revoke the person’s driver’s license for 10 years, except as provided in subdivision (c). (c) (1) Five years from the date of the last conviction of a violation of Section 23152 or 23153, a person whose license was revoked pursuant to subdivision (a) may apply to the department to have his or her privilege to operate a motor vehicle reinstated, subject to the condition that the person submits the “Verification of Installation” form described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (g) of Section 13386 and agrees to maintain a functioning, certified ignition interlock device as required under subdivision (f) of Section 23575.3. Notwithstanding Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 23700) or Section 23575.3, the ignition interlock device shall remain on the person’s motor vehicle for two years following the reinstatement of the person’s driving privilege pursuant to this section. (2) The department shall reinstate the person’s license pursuant to paragraph (1), if the person satisfies all of the following conditions: (A) The person was not convicted of any drug- or alcohol-related offenses, under state law, during the driver’s license revocation period. (B) The person successfully completed a driving-under-the-influence program, licensed pursuant to Section 11836 of the Health and Safety Code, following the date of the last conviction of a violation of Section 23152 or 23153 of this code. (C) The person was not convicted of violating Section 14601, 14601.1, 14601.2, 14601.4, or 14601.5 during the driver’s license revocation period. (3) The department shall immediately revoke the privilege to operate a motor vehicle of a person who attempts to remove, bypass, or tamper with the device, who has the device removed prior to the termination date of the restriction, or who fails three or more times to comply with any requirement for the maintenance or calibration of the ignition interlock device. The privilege shall remain revoked for the remaining period of the original revocation and until all reinstatement requirements are met, provided, however, that if the person provides proof to the satisfaction of the department that the person is in compliance with the restriction issued pursuant to this section, the department may, in its discretion, restore the privilege to operate a motor vehicle and reimpose the remaining term of the restriction. (d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2019. (e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2026, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2026, deletes or extends that date. (Amended (as added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 783, Sec. 41) by Stats. 2017, Ch. 485, Sec. 30. (SB 611) Effective January 1, 2018. Section operative January 1, 2019, by its own provisions. Repealed as of January 1, 2026, by its own provisions. See later operative version added by Sec. 42 of Stats. 2016, Ch. 783.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

treatmentconvictionignitiontrafficvehicledriverlicensesafety

Related Statutes

  • § 23566 Multiple Dui Felony Penalties
  • § 2429.7 Impaired Driving Task Force
  • § 13382 Dui License Suspension Notice
  • § 13388 Underage Driver Alcohol Testing
  • § 2431 Tow Truck Driver Screening

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 23597.
View Official Source