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 Missouri, a driver whose license has been suspended or revoked due to a DUI/DWI charge may be eligible to apply for a Limited Driving Privilege (LDP) license, which is a type of restricted driver's license. This license allows the individual to drive for essential needs such as work, school, household maintenance, medical appointments, and court-ordered treatment programs. The LDP does not permit driving for social visits or recreational purposes. To apply for an LDP, the individual must submit an application to the Department of Revenue, pay the required fees, and provide an SR-22 insurance filing, which is a certificate of financial responsibility. The specific provisions for obtaining and using an LDP in Missouri are outlined in the state's statutes, particularly in the sections dealing with motor vehicle regulations.