A driver whose license has been suspended or revoked following arrest for a DUI/DWI charge may sometimes apply for an occupational or restricted driver’s license to perform essential life functions until the driver is able to seek to have their driver’s license reinstated. This temporary and limited driver’s license is known by a number of names, including an occupational license, a restricted license, an essential need license, a hardship license, or a limited driving privilege (LDP) license.

Laws regarding the availability and use of such restricted licenses vary from state to state but generally allow the driver to drive to and from (1) work; (2) school, college, or university; (3) places the driver must visit to maintain the household, including the grocery store or market, pharmacy, laundromat, and gas station; (4) church or place of worship; (5) medical appointments; and (6) court-ordered alcohol treatment and rehabilitation programs. Driving to visit family or friends or to attend social events is not permitted on a restricted license.

A person applying for an occupational or restricted driver’s license will be required to pay application fees to the department of motor vehicles and will often be required to submit an SR-22 proof of insurance form (see the related subtopic).

Laws regarding the availability and use of restricted licenses following a DUI/DWI arrest are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the vehicle code, motor vehicle code, or transportation code.

In Alabama, individuals whose driver's licenses have been suspended or revoked due to a DUI/DWI charge may be eligible to apply for a restricted driving permit, commonly referred to as a hardship license. This type of license allows the individual to drive for specific essential purposes, such as commuting to and from work, school, household maintenance tasks, religious services, medical appointments, and court-ordered treatment programs. The use of this license is strictly limited to these purposes, and driving for social visits or recreational activities is not permitted. To apply for a hardship license in Alabama, the individual must submit an application to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), pay the required fees, and provide an SR-22 insurance form, which is a certificate of financial responsibility. The specific regulations and procedures for obtaining a hardship license in Alabama can be found in the state's vehicle or transportation codes.