Sometimes a driver may be eligible for a hardship license. The court which conducts your arraignment will decide your eligibility for this limited license. To be eligible, the court must determine that you will be subject to “extreme hardship” without this license. NY VTL §1193[2](e)(7) defines “extreme hardship” as:
…the inability to obtain alternative means of travel to or from the licensee’s employment, or to or from necessary medical treatment for the licensee or a member of the licensee’s household, or if the licensee is a matriculating student enrolled in an accredited school, college, or university, travel to or from such licensee’s school, college, or university, if such travel is necessary for the completion of the educational degree or certificate.
This license only allows the driver to operate their vehicle to and from their place of employment. It does not allow a driver to operate a vehicle for work purposes.