California DUI arrests trigger two separate cases: the DMV action, where a person's driving privileges hang in the balance, and the court case, where a variety of DUI punishment is available. For anyone charged with drunk driving in California, it is vital to note that persons arrested for DUI have only 10 days from the date of arrest to request a hearing with the DMV. If someone arrested for drunk driving does not request the hearing on time, his or her license will be suspended, automatically, on the 30th day following the arrest. It is critical for anyone charged with a California DUI or other drunk driving offense to obtain the services of a California DUI lawyer that understands the relationship between the court and DMV.

California Vehicle Code VC 13369 - Refusal to Issue or Renew, Suspension, or Revocation of Certificate or Endorsement.

13369. (a) This section applies to the following endorsements and certificates:

1. Passenger transportation vehicle.
2. Hazardous materials.
3. Schoolbus.
4. School pupil activity bus.
5. Youth bus.
6. General public paratransit vehicle.
7. Farm labor vehicle.
8. Vehicle used for the transportation of developmentally disabled persons.

(b) The department shall refuse to issue or renew, or shall revoke the certificate or endorsement of any person who meets the following conditions:

1. Within ( )1 three years, has committed any violation that results in a conviction assigned a violation point count of two or more, as defined in Sections 12810 and 12810.5. The department may not refuse to issue or renew, nor may it revoke, a person’s hazardous materials or passenger transportation vehicle endorsement if the violation leading to the conviction occurred in the person’s private vehicle and not in a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in Section 15210.
2. Within ( )1 three years, has had his or her driving privilege suspended, revoked, or on probation for any reason involving unsafe operation of a motor vehicle. The department may not refuse to issue or renew, nor may it revoke, a person’s passenger transportation vehicle endorsement if the person’s driving privilege has, within ( )1 three years, been placed on probation only for any reason involving unsafe operation of a motor vehicle.
3. Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), does not meet the qualifications for issuance of a hazardous materials endorsement set forth in Parts 383, 384, and 1572 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(c) The department may refuse to issue or renew, or may suspend or revoke the certificate or endorsement of any person who meets any of the following conditions:

1. Within ( )1 12 months, has been involved as a driver in three accidents in which the driver caused or contributed to the causes of the accidents.
2. Within ( )1 24 months, as a driver, caused or contributed to the cause of an accident resulting in a fatality or serious injury or serious property damage in excess of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750).
3. Has violated any provision of this code, or any rule or regulation pertaining to the safe operation of a vehicle for which the certificate or endorsement was issued.
4. Has violated any restriction of the certificate, endorsement, or commercial driver’s license.
5. Has knowingly made a false statement or ( )2 failed to disclose a material fact on an application for a certificate or endorsement.
6. Has been determined by the department to be a negligent or incompetent operator.
7. Has demonstrated irrational behavior to the extent that a reasonable and prudent person would have reasonable cause to believe that the applicant’s ability to perform the duties of a driver may be impaired.
8. Excessively or habitually uses, or is addicted to, alcoholic beverages, narcotics, or dangerous drugs.
9. Does not meet the minimum medical standards established or approved by the department.

(d) The department may cancel the certificate or endorsement of any driver who meets any of the following conditions:

1. Does not have a valid driver’s license of the appropriate class.
2. Has requested cancellation of the certificate or endorsement.
3. Has failed to meet any of the requirements for issuance or retention of the certificate or endorsement, including, but not limited to, payment of the proper fee, submission of an acceptable medical report and fingerprint cards, and ( )3 compliance with prescribed training requirements.
4. Has had his or her driving privilege suspended or revoked for a cause involving other than the safe operation of a motor vehicle.

(e) ( )4 (1) Reapplication following ( )5 refusal or revocation under subdivision (b) or (c) may be made after a period of not less than one year from the effective date of denial or revocation, except in cases where a longer period of suspension or revocation is required by law.

(2) Reapplication following cancellation under subdivision ( )6 (d) may be made at any time without prejudice. ( )7

Added Sec. 12.5, Ch. 952, Stats. 2004. Effective January 1, 2005. Operative September 20, 2005.
Amended Sec. 1, Ch. 66, Stats. 2005. Effective January 1, 2006.
The 2005 amendment added the italicized material, and at the point(s) indicated, deleted the following:

1. “the prededing”
2. “concealed”
3. “has failed to meet”
4. “With regard to a violation, accident, or departmental action that occurred prior to January 1, 1991, subdivision (a) and paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subdivision (b) do not apply to a driver holding a valid passenger transport or hazardous materials endorsement, or a valid class 1 or class 2 driver’s license who is applying to convert that driver’s license to a class A or class B driver’s license with a passenger transport or hazardous materials endorsement, if the driver submits proof that he or she is currently employed operating vehicles requiring the endorsement, or a valid class 3 driver’s license who is applying for a class C driver’s license with a hazardous materials endorsement if the driver submits proof that he or she is currently employed operating vehicles requiring the endorsement.

(f) Subdivision (e) does not apply to drivers applying for a schoolbus, school pupil activity bus, youth bus, general public paratransit vehicle, or farm labor vehicle certificate.
(g) ”

1. “denial”
2. “(e)”
3. “(h) This section shall become operative on September 20, 2005.”

California Vehicle Codes index page