How Long Is Your License Suspended for a Hit and Run?

A hit and run conviction — or even a civil determination that you left the scene of an accident — almost always carries a license suspension. But how long that suspension lasts depends heavily on where it happened, what kind of accident it was, and what charges or findings resulted from it. There's no single national answer.

What Counts as a Hit and Run

Most states define a hit and run as leaving the scene of an accident without stopping to exchange information or rendering aid when required. The legal obligation typically applies whether you were at fault or not. Failing to stop after a collision — even a minor one — is generally a separate offense from whatever caused the accident itself.

States distinguish between two broad categories:

• Property damage only — hitting an unoccupied vehicle, a fence, or other structure and leaving without leaving contact information
• Injury or death involved — leaving the scene when another person was hurt or killed

That distinction drives almost every consequence that follows, including how long a license suspension lasts.

Suspension Lengths Vary Significantly by State and Severity

There is no uniform federal standard for hit and run suspensions. Each state sets its own penalties through its vehicle code and DMV administrative rules. That said, a general pattern exists:

These ranges reflect what appears commonly across states — they are not guarantees of what any specific state applies. Some states impose mandatory minimum suspensions by statute. Others give the court or DMV discretion based on the circumstances.

Criminal Conviction vs. Administrative Action ⚖️

In many states, a license suspension after a hit and run comes from two separate systems — and both can act independently.

The criminal court may impose a suspension as part of sentencing if you're convicted of a hit and run offense. Misdemeanor convictions often carry shorter suspensions. Felony convictions — typically triggered when someone was injured or killed — frequently result in longer suspensions or full revocations.

The DMV operates separately and may suspend your license administratively based on the underlying event, regardless of how the criminal case resolves. In some states, a DMV suspension can take effect even before a criminal conviction if you're reported as having left the scene.

This means a person can face a court-ordered suspension and a separate DMV suspension, though states handle how these interact differently — they may run concurrently or consecutively.

Factors That Affect How Long the Suspension Lasts

Beyond the basic property damage vs. injury framework, several other variables shape the outcome:

• Your prior driving record — a clean record may lead to shorter suspensions or more eligibility for restricted licenses; prior offenses often lead to harsher outcomes
• Whether you returned to the scene — some states treat voluntary return shortly after leaving as a mitigating factor, though it rarely eliminates the charge
• Cooperation with law enforcement — turning yourself in after the fact may influence sentencing but does not erase the underlying offense
• Whether charges were reduced or dismissed — a plea agreement that reduces a felony hit and run to a misdemeanor may also reduce the associated suspension
• Injury severity — states often tier their penalties based on the degree of bodily harm caused to the other person
• Commercial driver's license (CDL) holders — CDL drivers typically face stricter disqualification rules under federal regulations, and a hit and run conviction can result in longer or permanent CDL disqualification even for a first offense

What Happens to Your Insurance 🚗

A hit and run conviction doesn't just affect your driving privileges — it typically has significant insurance consequences. Insurers treat it as a serious violation, and you can expect:

• Substantial premium increases at renewal
• Policy cancellation by your current insurer in many cases
• Placement into a high-risk insurance pool
• A required SR-22 filing — a certificate your insurer files with the state proving you carry the minimum required coverage — which many states mandate after serious traffic violations, often for 3 years

The SR-22 requirement typically runs separately from the suspension period itself. You may need to maintain the filing for a set number of years after your license is reinstated.

Reinstating a Suspended License After a Hit and Run

Completing a suspension period doesn't automatically restore your driving privileges in most states. Reinstatement typically involves:

• Paying a reinstatement fee to the DMV
• Showing proof of insurance (SR-22 in many cases)
• Completing any court-ordered programs (traffic school, community service, etc.)
• Satisfying any outstanding fines or court obligations

Some states offer a restricted or hardship license during the suspension period — allowing limited driving to work, school, or medical appointments — but eligibility depends on state law, the nature of the offense, and your driving history. Felony hit and run convictions often make restricted license eligibility unavailable.

The Part That Varies Most

The difference between a 90-day suspension and a 5-year revocation often comes down to details that look similar on the surface: Was it property damage or injury? Was the injury minor or serious? What state did it happen in? What were the charges, and how did the case resolve?

Those specifics — your state's statutes, the official charges filed, how the DMV responded, and the outcome of any criminal proceedings — determine what actually applies to your situation.