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 Oregon, individuals whose driver's licenses have been suspended or revoked due to a DUII (Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants) charge may be eligible to apply for a hardship permit, which is Oregon's version of a restricted or occupational driver's license. This permit allows for limited driving privileges to perform essential life functions. The hardship permit typically allows driving to and from work, school, alcohol and drug treatment programs, seeking employment, and medical appointments. To apply for a hardship permit, the individual must provide proof of enrollment in a treatment program if required, an SR-22 insurance certificate, and pay the applicable fees. The specific eligibility requirements and restrictions are detailed in Oregon's vehicle code, and the process is managed by the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It's important to note that the availability of a hardship permit may depend on the individual's driving history and the specifics of their DUII case.