Yes, you lose your license automatically if you are convicted. Its a statutory penalty for most DUIs. The how do you get it back question is trickier and depends on what offense this is for you. Pennsylvania has recently adopted a number of measures to make it easier for people with a DUI license to still drive. Two of such are the occupational use permit and the Intoxilizer permit. One severely restricts your driving to work and back (a woman was just charged with homocide based on her failure to adhere to this standard) and the other requires to you to blow into an intoxilyzer to start your car. Neither is ideal but both are better than being unable to get to work and/or treatment.
As for straight getting your license back, if its a first offense you have to wait a year, if its a second its 18 months plus a year on the intoxilyzer. Contact your attorney to discuss the best options based on your particular situation.
