In California, there are two ways of losing your driving privileges. The first is a suspension. This is the lighter of the two. It means that the state has temporarily withdrawn your right to drive. There is a fixed period in which the license is suspended and upon successful fulfillment of all of the court's requirements, the license is reinstated. A revocation of a license is the removal of the right to drive without automatic reinstatement at the end of a specific period. It is usually permanent until after a certain period of time when you may apply for a new license. The circumstances of the revocation may come into consideration when you reapply for your license. The California Department of Motor Vehicles will hold an administrative hearing before your license is revoked. The information contained in this message is general and should not substitute for the advice and counsel of a licensed attorney.