Two Suspensions, One Arrest
Every OVI actually involves two separate suspensions. The first is the Administrative License Suspension (ALS), imposed by the BMV at the time of arrest based on a failed or refused chemical test. The second is any court-ordered suspension that follows a conviction. They run on different timelines and have different rules.
Understanding the difference is essential, because the ALS can be challenged on its own — and challenging it quickly can be the difference between driving and not driving while your case is pending.
Administrative License Suspension (ALS) Deadlines You Can't Miss
An administrative suspension can take effect almost immediately after an OVI arrest, and the window to appeal it is short — often just a few days. Missing that window can cost you weeks or months of driving you did not have to lose.
An ALS appeal challenges whether the officer had reasonable grounds, whether you were properly advised of the consequences, and whether the testing was valid. Acting quickly can be the difference between driving and not driving while your case moves forward.
ALS and “hard suspension” rules, along with ignition interlock terms, changed under Ohio's Liv's Law (effective April 2025). The firm confirms the current appeal deadlines and interlock conditions for your situation.
Getting Limited Driving Privileges
For most people, the real question after an OVI is simple: can I still get to work? In many cases the answer is yes. Ohio allows limited driving privileges for work, school, medical, and family obligations, sometimes conditioned on an ignition interlock device.
The firm moves quickly to secure privileges where they are available and to structure them around your actual life — your commute, your job, and your family responsibilities — so a suspension does not become a second crisis on top of the charge.