Vehicle Code 13352 governs the license suspension that follows a DUI conviction. It is the court-side suspension, triggered when the court notifies the DMV of the conviction, and it runs separately from the Administrative Per Se suspension based on the arrest.
How long it lasts
The length scales with the offense: typically six months for a first conviction, two years for a second, and three years for a third, with longer terms for injury and refusal cases. For a first offense, the court suspension usually overlaps with the four-month APS suspension rather than adding to it.
Restricted license options
Section 13352 also sets the conditions for getting back on the road sooner, generally requiring enrollment in the DUI program, an SR-22 filing, and an ignition interlock device. Meeting those conditions can convert a hard suspension into a restricted license.
Why the conviction matters so much
Because this suspension flows from the conviction, avoiding or reducing the conviction is what avoids or shortens it. Winning the criminal case, or reducing it to a wet reckless, changes the 13352 picture entirely.
Where to start
The license consequences of a conviction are often the most disruptive part of a DUI. Get a free written case analysis below or call me directly. See also the license suspension calculator.