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 Nebraska, individuals whose driver's licenses have been suspended or revoked due to a DUI/DWI charge may be eligible to apply for an Ignition Interlock Permit (IIP) which functions similarly to an occupational or restricted driver's license. This permit allows them to drive to essential places such as work, school, substance abuse treatment programs, and other necessary destinations. To qualify, the individual must install an ignition interlock device (IID) on their vehicle, which prevents the vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected on the driver's breath. The application process involves paying fees and providing proof of financial responsibility, often in the form of an SR-22 insurance certificate. The specific regulations and requirements for obtaining an IIP after a DUI/DWI arrest are outlined in Nebraska's statutes, particularly within the sections dealing with motor vehicle operation and driver licensing.