How restricted licenses affect car accident claims

Car Accident - April 7, 2025 by Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates

Drivers can have their licenses suspended or revoked as a consequence of committing certain offenses. Illinois has a system to mitigate the ripple effects of that license suspension by granting some offenders restricted driver’s licenses, helping offenders avoid financial hardship. Still, it’s vital to understand how restricted licenses affect car accident claims if the driver is in a collision.

A Chicago car accident attorney from Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, can help if you have been in an accident. We are well prepared to manage any complications arising from the restricted license status of parties involved in the crash and will fight to get you justice.

accident on restricted license

Understanding restricted licenses in Illinois

Drivers with suspended or revoked driver’s licenses may be issued a restricted driver’s license, also called a restricted driving permit (RDP). The RDP allows the suspended license holder to drive for specific purposes and under specific restrictions.

For example, it may allow a person to drive to work, to medical appointments, as part of caregiving duties, or to attend alcohol and substance abuse classes. The driver may be limited to driving during certain hours, on certain days, only with certain people in the car, and within a strict radius. As per the Illinois Compiled Statutes, the Illinois Secretary of State has the authority to issue RDPs and establish the related conditions.

Reasons for license suspensions or revocations

As explained by the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State, a person can lose driving privileges for several reasons. They include:

  • Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
  • Refusing a chemical test when stopped for a possible DUI
  • Failure to appear in court to satisfy a traffic citation
  • Driving without insurance
  • Failure to pay child support
  • Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle
  • Driving around railroad crossing signals

The reason for the RDP can affect an accident claim if a driver involved has the accident on a restricted license.

How restricted licenses affect car accident claims

It is always in your best interest to connect with a Chicago car accident attorney after experiencing an accident, and this connection is even more critical if your accident is with someone on a restricted license or if you have an RDP.

A person with an RDP is not automatically at fault for the accident. The team at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates will investigate the incident fully to discover its cause and identify the at-fault party. If there is a direct connection between the at-fault party’s license status and the accident, we will work to prove that connection.

When RDPs could affect accident claims

If the at-fault party holds an RDP, that license status could affect your claim depending on its restrictions and the reason it was issued. For example:

  • The driver was driving at a time they shouldn’t have been. In this scenario, their presence on the road is a risk in itself–an act of negligence. If they had obeyed the RDP time restrictions, you would not have encountered them
  • The driver was under the influence and their license suspension was for a DUI. Along with bringing criminal consequences, the restriction violation could serve to increase the driver’s negligence

If you have an accident on a restricted license, and the accident is not your fault, we can help. Your insurance company may use your RDP status to deny you coverage, and the at-fault party may use your license status to assign you blame you don’t deserve.

The restricted license is not the only factor of consideration in an accident. When someone else’s negligence hurts you, even if you have an RDP, you have the right to seek compensation.

How we can help with your car accident claim

Count on us to determine the cause of your accident and file against the negligent party. Connect with us quickly so we can file your claim within the two-year Illinois statute of limitations and gather evidence while it is still readily available.

Take care to avoid common mistakes after your accident, especially when there is already the added complication of the RDP. Do not admit fault or minimize your injuries, and do not speak to the other party’s insurance adjuster. If you have a restricted license, you should speak to us before you contact your own insurance company.

We will value your losses carefully and demand compensation to cover your damages, provide justice for your suffering, and put you back on stable financial footing.

Get the insightful, experienced representation you need

Whatever the circumstances of your car accident, reach out for a free case review from Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates. You can send a message or call us at (800) 985-1819. We know how to handle the complications that come with accidents on a restricted license. Negligent drivers must be held accountable for the damage they cause, no matter their license status.