Last Updated on June 3, 2025
Many crimes can result in a temporary license suspension, including drunk driving, certain juvenile crimes, violating the implied consent law, reckless driving, joyriding, and more. Most people don’t know that some offenses can also result in a lifetime license revocation of your Class A, B, or C licenses, meaning you lose this type of driver’s license forever in California. If you have been charged with a crime that can result in a lifetime suspension of your driving privileges, a defense lawyer can help.
What Can Get Your License Taken Away Forever in California?
One of the only crimes that can cause your license to be suspended forever if you have the most common type of driver’s license, Class C, is an assault on another person using a vehicle as a weapon. There is a specific allegation for using a vehicle in committing a Felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon. If that accusation is found true, then the DMV is required to revoke the guilty party’s license for life without any exceptions or ability for reinstatement. It is essentially the Death Penalty for a driver’s license.
There are, however, less drastic measures if the prosecution drops the use of a vehicle allegation. In general, any use of a vehicle while committing a felony will result in a temporary driver’s license suspension, but not one that lasts for life.
Assault with a deadly weapon using a vehicle carries very lengthy sentences, including lifetime license suspension. Always fight this serious offense with the help of a lawyer, especially if you were acting in self-defense or if you believe an accidental act on your part was wrongly interpreted as an act of aggression
Lifetime Commercial Driver’s License Revocations
Commercial drivers convicted of certain crimes can lose their ability to possess a commercial license for the rest of their lives. While they can still drive a passenger vehicle using a Class C license, they will no longer be able to drive commercial vehicles and will lose their ability to earn income this way. Any combination of two of the following offenses can result in a lifelong ban from possessing a Class A or Class B license:
- Receiving more than one DUI (commercial drivers are subject to a .04% limit)
- Hit-and-run accident
- Evading a police officer
- Using a vehicle to commit a felony
- Driving a commercial vehicle with a suspended commercial vehicle license
- Refusing to submit to a chemical test when asked to
If you are a commercial truck driver accused of one of these crimes, a lawyer can help you fight these charges and represent you at the DMV hearing to help you protect your license and your livelihood.
What’s the Difference Between Having a Driver’s License Suspended Vs. Revoked?
While both involve taking a person’s driver’s license away, a suspension is a lesser action than a revocation. With a license suspension, the ability to drive is taken away for a set period. You can easily get the license reinstated at the end of the suspension period. Crimes that can result in a suspension include:
- DUI
- reckless driving
- joyriding
On the other hand, when a driver’s license is revoked, it is completely taken away. In most cases, a person can eventually get their license back, but this typically takes longer than a waiting period for a license suspension. When the revocation is over, a driver must get a completely new driver’s license, meaning they must go through a written test, eye exam, and behind-the-wheel test. Crimes that can cause someone to lose their license include:
- road rage
- driver’s license fraud
- driving a getaway vehicle
Anyone accused of a crime that may result in a lifetime license suspension should immediately contact an attorney with experience handling misdemeanor and felony traffic crimes. You can schedule a free initial consultation with Peter M. Liss by calling (760) 643-4050.
