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 Oklahoma, individuals whose driver's licenses have been suspended or revoked due to a DUI/DWI arrest may be eligible to apply for a restricted driver's license, often referred to as a 'limited driving privilege' (LDP) license. This type of license allows the individual to drive under specific conditions, typically to and from work, school, medical appointments, court-ordered treatment programs, and other essential life functions. The availability of an LDP license in Oklahoma is subject to certain eligibility criteria and the discretion of the court or the Department of Public Safety. Applicants are usually required to demonstrate a genuine need for the license and may need to provide an SR-22 insurance form, which is a certificate of financial responsibility. Additionally, there are application fees associated with obtaining an LDP license. It is important to note that driving to social events or for other non-essential purposes is not permitted with a restricted license. The specific regulations and procedures for obtaining an LDP license in Oklahoma can be found in the state's statutes, particularly those related to motor vehicles and transportation.