During that time, the suspension may be appealed at an administrative hearing. If there is no appeal, or the appeal is not upheld, the license is suspended for a prescribed period of time. Regardless of the outcome of the appeals hearing, the arrestee is still subject to a separate criminal process, which can lead to additional penalties, including judicial licensing actions. For first offenders, suspensions vary from seven days to a year but most often last 90 days. Repeat offenders usually receive longer suspensions.
Some states require the completion of an education or treatment program prior to relicensure.
ALR laws are recognized as having a strong, general deterrence effect on drunk drivers because the mandatory punishment is swift and sure. Although the impact of ALR laws on hardcore drunk drivers has not been determined, indirect evidence suggests that hardcore drunk drivers are more likely to violate the conditions of license suspension and are more likely to be drinking when they do. One reason may be that the DWI offenders continued to drive, although presumably more carefully than when they were licensed. The main alternative for those who lost their licenses was riding with others. They can be self-sufficient.