The days right after a DUI arrest matter more than most people realize. One deadline in particular, the 10-day window to request a DMV hearing, can quietly cost you your license if it passes. Here is exactly what to do, in order, during those first 10 days.

  1. Calendar the 10-day DMV deadline. From the date of arrest you have only 10 days to request a hearing with the California DMV under Vehicle Code 13558. This is separate from court. Requesting it in time preserves your ability to drive while the case is pending and gives you a chance to fight the suspension.
  2. Find and keep your paperwork. Locate the pink Notice of Suspension and temporary license you were given, along with any citation or release paperwork. These documents carry the dates and report numbers that drive both the DMV and court timelines.
  3. Write down everything you remember. While it is fresh, record the time you were stopped, what the officer said, what tests you were asked to do, what you had to eat and drink, and the sequence of events. These details often matter more than the chemical number.
  4. Do not discuss the case. Avoid talking about the arrest with anyone other than your attorney, and do not post about it. Statements have a way of becoming evidence.
  5. Get advice before any court date. Speak with a California DUI defense attorney before your first appearance. Early review of the stop, the testing, and the deadlines is where cases are protected. The free written case analysis on this site is a starting point.
  6. Address your license and insurance. Understand whether you can keep driving, whether a restricted license or ignition interlock applies, and what an SR-22 filing will mean for your insurance, so there are no surprises.

The clock is already running

The single most important step is the DMV hearing request, because the deadline does not wait. You can check your timeline with the DMV hearing deadline calculator, get a free written case analysis below, or call me directly. Next, read the DUI court process step by step and the California DUI FAQ.