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 Iowa, individuals whose driver's licenses have been suspended or revoked due to a DUI/DWI arrest may be eligible to apply for a temporary restricted license (TRL), sometimes referred to as a work permit or limited driving privilege. This license allows them to drive for specific essential purposes, such as going to and from work, school, substance abuse treatment programs, medical appointments, and other necessary life functions. To apply for a TRL, the individual must provide proof of financial responsibility, often in the form of an SR-22 insurance filing, and may be required to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicle, depending on the circumstances of the offense. Application fees are also required. The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) handles the issuance of temporary restricted licenses, and the specific conditions and eligibility requirements are outlined in Iowa's statutes under the Iowa Code. It's important to note that driving to social events or for visiting family and friends is not permitted with a TRL.