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 Louisiana (LA), a driver whose license has been suspended or revoked due to a DUI/DWI arrest may be eligible to apply for a hardship license, which is a type of restricted driver's license. This license allows the individual to drive for specific essential purposes, such as to and from work, school, household maintenance locations, religious services, medical appointments, and court-ordered treatment programs. The availability of a hardship license depends on the individual's circumstances and the specifics of their offense. To apply for a hardship license, the individual must typically pay application fees to the Office of Motor Vehicles and provide an SR-22 insurance form, which is a certificate of financial responsibility. The specific regulations and requirements for obtaining a hardship license in Louisiana are outlined in the state's statutes, particularly within the provisions related to motor vehicles and traffic regulation.