Yes, a hit and run conviction in California will suspend your license
A hit and run conviction results in an automatic license suspension in California. The suspension is mandatory — the court does not have discretion to waive it, and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will suspend your driving privilege as part of the sentence. The length of suspension depends on whether anyone was injured and whether you have prior convictions.
California Vehicle Code Section 20001 makes it illegal to leave the scene of an accident without providing your name, address, phone number, and insurance information to the other driver or property owner. A conviction for violating this law triggers a suspension that is separate from any jail time or fines you may receive.
Key Takeaways
- Hit and run convictions in California result in a mandatory DMV license suspension that the court cannot reduce or remove.
- A first hit and run with no injuries suspends your license for six months; if someone was injured, the suspension is one year.
- A second hit and run conviction within ten years doubles the suspension length to one or two years depending on injury.
- You can request a DMV hearing to contest the suspension, but only if you request it within ten days of arrest or citation.
- After the suspension period ends, you must pay a reissue fee and may need to file an SR22 form if you caused injury or property damage.
Suspension length depends on injury and prior convictions
For a first hit and run with no injuries, your license suspension lasts six months. If the accident involved injury to another person, the suspension is one year. These are the minimum suspension periods set by California law.
If you have a prior hit and run conviction within the past ten years, the suspension doubles. A second offense with no injuries results in a one-year suspension; a second offense with injury results in a two-year suspension. A third or subsequent hit and run within ten years can result in a three-year suspension.
The suspension begins on the date the court orders it, not on the date you are arrested or cited. You will receive written notice from the DMV stating the exact suspension start date and end date.
The DMV hearing window is ten days from arrest
If you are arrested or cited for hit and run, you have the right to request a DMV hearing to contest the suspension. You must request this hearing within ten days of your arrest or the date on the citation — whichever is earlier. If you miss this important date, you lose the right to a hearing and the suspension becomes final.
The DMV hearing is separate from your criminal court case. At the hearing, you can present evidence and testimony about whether you violated Vehicle Code Section 20001. The hearing officer will decide whether the suspension should stand. Even if you win the DMV hearing, you may still face criminal charges in court.
To request a hearing, contact your local DMV office or submit a written request by mail. Include your driver's license number, the citation or arrest date, and your current address. Some DMV offices allow you to request a hearing online through their website.
What happens when your suspension period ends
When your suspension period expires, your license does not automatically return. You must visit a DMV office and pay a reissue fee to have your driving privilege restored. The reissue fee is typically $100 to $200, though the exact amount varies by county and changes annually.
If your hit and run involved injury to another person or significant property damage, the DMV may require you to file an SR22 form before your license is restored. An SR22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you carry the minimum liability insurance required by California law. Your insurance company files this form with the DMV on your behalf; you cannot file it yourself.
If an SR22 is required, you must maintain it for three years from the date your license is restored. If your insurance lapses or you cancel your policy during this period, the DMV will suspend your license again automatically.
Hit and run criminal penalties run parallel to suspension
The license suspension is one consequence of a hit and run conviction, but it is not the only one. California law also imposes criminal penalties that are separate from the DMV suspension.
A hit and run with no injuries is typically charged as a misdemeanor. Conviction can result in up to six months in county jail, a fine of $1,000 to $10,000, or both. You may also be ordered to pay restitution to the other driver for vehicle damage or medical expenses.
A hit and run involving injury is usually charged as a felony. Felony conviction can result in 16 months to three years in state prison, depending on the severity of the injury and your criminal history. Fines for felony hit and run can reach $10,000 or more.
Reinstating your license after suspension ends
To reinstate your license after a hit and run suspension, follow these steps in order:
- Wait until your suspension period has fully expired. The DMV will send you a notice when you are may be able to access for reinstatement.
- If required, obtain an SR22 form from your insurance company. Ask them to file it with the DMV; do not attempt to file it yourself.
- Visit a DMV office in person with your identification and proof of residence. You cannot reinstate online after a hit and run suspension.
- Pay the reissue fee. Bring cash, debit card, or check — accepted payment methods vary by office.
- Pass a vision test. The DMV will test your vision as part of the reinstatement process.
- Receive your reinstated license. The DMV will issue a new license with a new expiration date.
If you are unable to visit a DMV office, you can mail your reinstatement request with the required documents and payment. Processing by mail takes longer — typically four to six weeks — than in-person reinstatement, which is usually completed the same day.
Driving with a suspended license carries additional penalties
If you drive while your license is suspended due to a hit and run conviction, you face separate criminal charges. Driving with a suspended license is a misdemeanor in California and can result in jail time, additional fines, and a longer suspension period.
A first offense of driving with a suspended license typically results in a fine of $300 to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. A second offense within five years can result in a fine of $500 to $2,000 and up to one year in jail. The court may also extend your suspension period by an additional six months to one year.
If you need to drive during your suspension for work or medical reasons, you may be able to obtain a restricted license from the DMV. A restricted license allows you to drive only to and from work, school, or medical appointments. You must request this through the court that imposed the suspension, not the DMV directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my license back early if I complete a defensive driving course?
No. Hit and run suspensions are mandatory and cannot be shortened by completing traffic school, defensive driving courses, or other programs. You must wait for the full suspension period to expire. However, completing a defensive driving course may help in your criminal court case or at a DMV hearing if you request one within ten days of arrest.
What if I did not know I hit another car?
California law requires you to stop and provide information even if you did not realize you hit something. If you can show you genuinely did not know an accident occurred, this may be a defense in criminal court. However, this is a legal question that requires an attorney — do not rely on this defense without consulting a lawyer first.
Do I need SR22 insurance if no one was injured in the hit and run?
It depends on the amount of property damage. If damage exceeded $750, the DMV typically requires an SR22. If damage was under $750, an SR22 may not be required, but your insurance company will tell you when you contact them about reinstatement. Ask the DMV directly if you are unsure.
Can I drive in another state while my California license is suspended?
No. A California license suspension is valid only in California, but driving with a suspended license in any state is illegal. If you are caught driving in another state on a suspended California license, you can be arrested and charged in that state as well. When you return to California, you will still owe the remainder of your suspension.
What happens if I move out of California before my suspension ends?
You must still complete your suspension period. If you move to another state, you cannot obtain a license in that state until your California suspension expires. When you return to California or explore for a California license again, you will need to pay the reissue fee and meet all reinstatement requirements.