Naperville, IL Driver’s License Reinstatement Lawyer

For over twenty years, Wirth Law has focused exclusively on driver’s license reinstatement hearings with the Illinois Secretary of State. We regularly represent individuals at driver’s license hearings after revocations for DUI, reckless homicide, and various other mandatory or discretionary revocations.  We focus our practice on providing quality representation and exceptional client service.

Our firm obtains driving privileges at a rate of 95 percent or higher for first-time clients who are represented by our office at a hearing. We have kept these statistics since opening our doors in October of 2002. Our success rating includes both first-time hearings, as well as clients who previously attended a hearing before hiring us and were denied driving privileges.

Located in Downtown Naperville, our practice is easily accessible to Naperville residents. The office provides free parking in the public garage connected to the Naperville Promenade Building. Our office also has a second location in Chicago, within walking distance of the Secretary of State hearing office. We meet clients at both office locations to accommodate their needs, as well as offer virtual meetings for convenience.

Quality Representation Drives our Practice

Our Naperville office is committed to providing personalized representation to each client, with a focus on quality over quantity. We do not operate as a high-volume firm by design. Our clients work directly with their attorney, providing input to help their lawyer to craft the overall hearing strategy. Every client is prepared extensively before their hearing, and we remain accessible for questions or concerns throughout the process.

Jennifer Wirth, managing attorney, has won many awards for her commitment to client satisfaction. Her work has been recognized by the following organizations:

• Avvo-Rated “10” as Superb Attorney
• Perfect “10” on Justia Lawyer Services
• One of the Best DUI Lawyers in Chicago by Expertise.com
• Avvo Client Choice Award for 10 years in a row
• Client Champion Award by Martindale-Hubbell

Our local office continues to provide exceptional service to every client in Naperville, the overall population of Dupage County, and throughout the State of Illinois. When preparing for a license reinstatement hearing, we handle all legal aspects of a case. We believe our clients should invest their time reviewing their testimony and completing hearing requirements, such as a drug/alcohol evaluation. A qualified license reinstatement attorney should manage the following areas of a case:

• Evidence. We obtain the evidence from the Secretary of State, including the court purposes driving abstract, any DUI sworn reports, crash reports, and records from prior hearings (if applicable).

• Document Review. Our office reviews all documents at the outset of a case and highlights relevant topics for questions at the license reinstatement hearing. We present client with a summary of the evidence to help the client prepare their testimony.

• Filings and Deadlines. We file for the formal hearing and monitor all deadlines, including the ninety-day period to issue a decision after a formal hearing. We check in with clients regularly to ensure they are completing hearing requirements on schedule to avoid delays in their case.

• Mock Hearings. Our office questions clients extensively before a hearing to ensure they are familiar with the questions asked at a hearing, and to ensure that they are prepared to give honest, accurate responses.

• Representation at Hearing. Jennifer Wirth, managing attorney, attends the hearing with each client and conducts a direct examination of the client, covering all relevant information and highlighting positive developments in a client’s lifestyle.

• Decision. We contact each client when a decision arrives to review any questions they may have and to discuss how to complete requirements if a permit or reinstatement is granted. We remain accessible by phone or email for follow-up questions.

We believe that each client deserves focused attention and experienced representation for Illinois driver’s license reinstatement. We build an individualized legal strategy for each client to present the best possible case to the Illinois Secretary of State for driver’s license reinstatement. We value the quality of our work over the volume of cases; this remains a core founding principle of our firm.

DUI Arrests in Naperville and DuPage County

Naperville consistently ranks among Illinois’ busiest municipalities for DUI arrests. According to the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM), the Naperville Police recorded 258 DUI arrests in 2024, placing it among the top five cities outside of Cook County for DUI enforcement. In addition, Dupage County Sheriff Police arrested 79 drivers for DUI in 2024. The Illinois Secretary of State reports that 90 percent of eligible drivers arrested for DUI in the state face either a suspension or revocation of their driver’s license.

In DuPage County, DUI enforcement efforts remain a top priority for law enforcement and prosecutors. As a result, many individuals lose driving privileges after a DUI conviction, particularly where supervision is not granted or is unavailable due to prior offenses. In these cases, an individual must attend a driver’s license reinstatement hearing with the Illinois Secretary of State to request driving privileges.

Overview of Secretary of State License Reinstatement Hearings after DUI

1. Notice of Revocation

Under Illinois law, a DUI conviction results in mandatory revocation of driving privileges pursuant to 625 ILCS 5/6-205. When a revocation occurs, driving privileges are not automatically restored after a specific period. Instead, the petitioner must request a hearing before the Secretary of State to apply for driving relief.

After receiving notice of a DUI conviction, the Illinois Secretary of State typically issues two separate notices to a driver:

• Notice of Suspension (Registration): Suspends license plates registered in the revoked driver’s name.

• Notice of Revocation (Driving Privileges): Provides the date the revocation begins and the earliest eligibility date for requesting full reinstatement. This date does not represent automatic reinstatement, but rather, the “reinstatement eligibility date.”

In many cases, an individual may qualify for a hardship permit or restricted driving permit (RDP) before becoming eligible for full reinstatement. For individuals classified as BAIID Multiple Offenders (BMO), a five-year permit requirement applies, even if the listed reinstatement eligibility date has passed.

2. Choosing the Proper Forum: Formal and Informal Hearings

When an individual has their Illinois driver’s license revoked, they will need to attend a formal or informal hearing to request driving privileges. The difference between the two types of hearings is as follows:

• Formal Hearings: Required for cases involving multiple DUI convictions, accidents involving serious injury, or reckless homicide. These are adversarial proceedings with sworn testimony, documentary evidence, direct examination, and the potential for cross-examination. The Secretary of State issues a written decision, making legal findings of fact, within 90 days of a formal hearing.

• Informal Hearings: Appropriate for individuals with a single DUI or less severe traffic-related offenses, such as a fake identification suspension. These proceedings are held in an office setting, where a hearing officer asks various questions to the applicant. A written decision is mailed to the applicant after the hearing.

3. Filing for a Formal Hearing

Our office files for the formal hearing on behalf of each client and monitors all applicable time periods. Formal hearings can be scheduled at one of four locations in Illinois: Chicago, Joliet, Springfield, or Mount Vernon. Virtual hearings are available in many cases. Hearings must be requested in writing, accompanied by a filing fee. Once scheduled, the hearing should occur within 90 days.

4. Requesting Evidence from the Secretary of State

There are many moving parts in an Illinois Secretary of State hearing. The proceedings involve clinical documents, DUI arrest records, and BAIID reports (when applicable), as well as legal strategy and knowledge. If an individual has been denied at a prior hearing, the Secretary of State will have a record of prior hearings, including any previous decision(s) in the case.

A license reinstatement lawyer must not only request all evidence but understand the data during review. By collecting and examining evidence, a lawyer can identify potential problems, ensure consistency across all records, and prepare a case strategy aligned with the Secretary of State’s standards.

5. Completing DUI Evaluation and Recommended Intervention

A current drug and alcohol evaluation is required before a hearing for a DUI revocation. This evaluation must be conducted by a licensed Illinois provider and will place the petitioner in one of several risk levels based on DUI history, symptoms of substance misuse, and other factors.

• Minimal Risk: Single DUI, BAC under 0.15, no substance abuse indicators

• Moderate Risk: BAC between 0.15 and 0.19 with one symptom

• Significant Risk: BAC 0.20 or higher, prior DUI, or multiple symptoms

• High Risk (Dependent or Non-Dependent): Two or more prior DUI dispositions, or four or more symptoms

Each classification carries specific treatment and education requirements. Minimal and moderate risk levels require DUI Risk Education, with Early Intervention also being required for moderate risk applicants. Significant and high risk levels require substance use treatment, along with proof of completion that meets the standards of the Illinois Secretary of State.

6. Testimony and Hearing Preparation

Testimony at the hearing is a critical component of the process. Even well-prepared documents can be overshadowed by vague or inconsistent statements. Wirth Law conducts multiple sessions with clients to prepare for this portion of the hearing. Preparation includes:

• Reviewing the client’s personal and treatment history
• Highlighting positive lifestyle changes since last DUI
• Identifying any inconsistencies in documentation or testimony
• Discussing client responses to potential questions
• Conducting mock hearings to improve confidence and clarity

Administrative hearing officers place significant weight on the credibility and consistency of testimony. Our process is designed to ensure the client’s statements accurately reflect the client’s DUI history and risk classification, while highlighting positive lifestyle changes and rehabilitative efforts.

7. Attending the Hearing

On the hearing date, we meet with our clients in advance of the hearing to sign hearing documents and answer any remaining questions. After our meeting, we go to the hearing and wait for the case to be called. During the hearing, our office directly examines the client, asking questions designed to cover all relevant topics and issues. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Secretary of State has ninety days to issue a written decision.

8. Decision

After a driver’s license hearing, an applicant should receive a written decision from the Secretary of State via email or regular mail. The decision will summarize all relevant testimony, while applying legal and clinical standards. A recommendation will be made in the decision to grant or deny driving relief.

If granted, the Secretary of State may approve a driving permit or full reinstatement. If an applicant resides out-of-state, the Secretary can recommend reinstatement (aka “clearance”) to remove a hold on an out-of-state driver’s license. The purpose of out-of-state clearance is to allow a driver to apply for a license in their home state.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Our Naperville office serves clients throughout DuPage County and neighboring communities. We provide free consultations for Illinois driver’s license reinstatement hearings, which can be held in-person or virtually. To schedule a consultation, our office can be reached at (312) 761-8290 or through completing our contact form. We offer competitive pricing, flat rates, and over twenty years of dedicated experience with Illinois driver’s license reinstatement hearings.