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 North Dakota, individuals whose driver's licenses have been suspended or revoked due to a DUI/DWI charge may be eligible to apply for a temporary restricted license (TRL), which is similar to what is known in some places as an occupational, hardship, or limited driving privilege license. This TRL allows the individual to drive under certain conditions, typically to and from work, school, treatment programs, and other essential activities such as obtaining groceries, attending medical appointments, and maintaining the household. To apply for a TRL, the individual must provide proof of insurance, often in the form of an SR-22, and pay the required application fees to the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT). The specific regulations and procedures for obtaining a TRL in North Dakota are outlined in the state's Century Code, which includes the motor vehicle and transportation laws. It's important to note that the TRL is strictly for essential driving needs and does not permit driving for social visits or recreational purposes.