Guilford County License Hearing Guide
How to request your Administrative License Hearing and protect your driving privileges after a DUI arrest.
Last verified: January 6, 2026
15-Day Deadline
You have exactly 15 days from your arrest to request a hearing. Miss this deadline and your license is automatically suspended. No exceptions.
Enter your arrest date to see your deadline:
If You Request in Time
- • Temporary permit until hearing
- • Chance to keep your license
- • Gather evidence for defense
If You Miss the Deadline
- • Automatic 90-180 day suspension
- • No hearing, no appeal
- • Starts after waiting period
How to Request Your Hearing
Online Request
Fee: Typically $50-$125
Available: 24/7
Instant confirmation
Phone Request
Fee: Same as online
Hours: Business hours only
Expect hold times
Information You'll Need
From Your Notice:
- • Driver License Number
- • Date of Arrest
- • Arresting Agency
- • Arresting Officer Name
Personal Information:
- • Full Legal Name
- • Current Address
- • Date of Birth
- • Phone Number & Email
After You Request
Temporary Permit
ImmediateDrive legally until your hearing
Hearing Notice
20-40 daysDate, time, and format mailed to you
Prepare Defense
Before hearingGather evidence, hire attorney
Attend Hearing
Scheduled dateUsually phone or video
Decision
Same dayWin: keep license. Lose: suspension starts
Temporary Permit
Immediate
Drive until hearing
Hearing Notice
20-40 days
Date mailed to you
Prepare
Before hearing
Gather evidence
Attend Hearing
Scheduled
Phone or video
Decision
Same day
Win or suspension
What to Expect at the Hearing
Most hearings are by phone or video
You usually don't need to travel. When you receive your hearing notice, it will specify whether it's phone, video, or in-person.
Duration
30-60 minutes typically
Who's There
You, your attorney (optional), state attorney, hearing officer
What They Review
Probable cause for stop, proper arrest procedure, test validity
Evidence That Can Help
- Dashcam or bodycam footage showing procedural errors
- Breathalyzer calibration records (if not current)
- Witness statements about your sobriety
- Medical conditions affecting field sobriety tests
Should You Hire an Attorney?
With an Attorney
- Can subpoena arresting officer
- Knows how to challenge evidence
- Uses hearing to strengthen criminal defense
- Higher success rate at hearings
Without an Attorney
- State has experienced attorney present
- May not know proper objections
- Can't effectively cross-examine officers
- Lower win rate statistically
If You Lose Your Hearing
Losing the hearing isn't the end. You still have options to maintain limited driving privileges:
Ignition Interlock
Drive with device installed
Occupational License
Limited driving for work/essentials
FAQ
Related Guides
The Greensboro courthouse serves as the primary administrative headquarters for the Twenty-Fourth Judicial District, located at 201 South Eugene Street, Greensboro, NC 27401.
If you've been arrested for Driving While Impaired (DWI) in Guilford County, North Carolina, your driver's license is likely at risk of suspension. This is separate from the criminal DWI charge, and you have a limited time to act. You must request a hearing with the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 15 days of the date of your arrest to challenge this suspension. This hearing is often referred to as an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing.
Guilford County ALR Hearings: What You Need to Know
Guilford County operates a bifurcated court system with courthouses in both Greensboro and High Point. Understanding this dual-seat structure is crucial for navigating your ALR hearing process.
Requesting Your ALR Hearing
While the research data does not specify the exact methods for requesting an ALR hearing, it's crucial to act quickly. You will likely need to contact the North Carolina DMV to request a hearing.
Important: The 15-day deadline is strict. Missing it will result in the automatic suspension of your driver's license.
Hearing Location
While the documentation doesn't specify the exact location for ALR hearings in Guilford County, because Guilford County uses two courthouses (Greensboro and High Point), it is possible that your ALR hearing will be scheduled in the same city where you were arrested. Further research is required to confirm.
- Greensboro Courthouse: 201 South Eugene Street, Greensboro, NC 27401
- High Point Courthouse: 505 East Green Drive, High Point, NC 27260.
Understanding the Civil Revocation
If you registered a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, or if you refused to submit to a breath test, your driver's license was likely seized and you were issued a temporary driving permit. This triggers an automatic 30-day civil revocation of your license. The ALR hearing is your opportunity to challenge this revocation.
The Role of eCourts
Guilford County utilizes the eCourts system, meaning many court records are accessible online. The public interface, the "Portal," allows you to search for court dates and case summaries. This system is mandatory for attorneys, who must file documents digitally through the "File & Serve" portal. This shift to digital record-keeping is something to be aware of when looking into information about your case.
The Greensboro courthouse operates on a standard government schedule, opening to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Sources
- North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles / Public Safety
- North Carolina Administrative Code - License Suspension Procedures
Last updated: January 6, 2026
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