A driver’s license suspension in Florida can affect your ability to work, attend school, and manage personal responsibilities. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) oversees license suspensions. Understanding their processes is the first step toward resolving the issue and getting back on the road legally.
Common Reasons Your Florida License Can Be Suspended
Florida can suspend a driver’s license for many reasons, including those unrelated to driving. The FLHSMV uses a point system for traffic violations. Accumulating 12 points in 12 months results in a 30-day suspension, 18 points in 18 months leads to a three-month suspension, and 24 points in 36 months causes a one-year suspension.1Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Points & Point Suspensions
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) convictions lead to mandatory suspension periods. Failing to maintain required auto insurance, like Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL), can result in a suspension of your license, registration, and plate for up to three years.2Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Florida Insurance Requirements Certain DUI convictions also require carrying more expensive FR-44 insurance.
Failing to pay traffic tickets or court-ordered child support will lead to an indefinite suspension until the issue is resolved. The state can also suspend a license for non-driving criminal convictions, like drug possession. Other reasons include failing to complete a required traffic school course or being deemed medically unfit to drive.
Checking Your Florida Driver’s License Status
The most direct way to check your license status is with the FLHSMV’s online “Driver License and ID Tracking” system. You will need your Florida driver’s license number to use the tool. The portal will show if your license is valid, suspended, or revoked and may provide an explanation for the status.
The system will show any outstanding issues that need to be addressed for reinstatement. Keep your mailing address updated with the FLHSMV, as they send official suspension notices to the address on file. Inquiries can also be made by phone or in person at a driver license service center.
Penalties for Driving With a Suspended License in Florida
Driving in Florida with a known suspended, revoked, or canceled license is a criminal offense with escalating penalties. A first offense is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
A second offense is a first-degree misdemeanor, with a penalty of up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. A third offense is a third-degree felony, which can result in up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
These convictions can also lead to a longer revocation of your driving privileges. Accumulating three convictions for driving while suspended within five years will cause the FLHSMV to designate you as a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO). This results in a mandatory five-year license revocation.
How to Reinstate Your Suspended Florida License
To reinstate your license, you must resolve the underlying issue, such as paying outstanding fines, and pay a reinstatement fee to the FLHSMV. The fee is $45 for most non-DUI suspensions and $60 for suspensions from unpaid tickets (D6 suspensions).
Depending on the suspension reason, you may need to complete a driver improvement course. Point-related suspensions require a 12-hour Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) course, while DUI suspensions require a state-approved DUI program. For some violations, you must also file an SR-22 or FR-44 form, which is a certificate from your insurer verifying high-liability coverage.
Once all requirements are met, you can begin the reinstatement process online, by phone, or in person. You must submit proof of compliance, like a course completion certificate or a D6 clearance form from the court, and pay the reinstatement fee. The FLHSMV will then clear your record so you can obtain a valid license.
Understanding Florida Hardship Licenses
A hardship license may be an option if you cannot wait out the full suspension period. This restricted license allows driving for necessary purposes like work, education, or medical appointments. Eligibility depends on your suspension type and driving record; they are not available for certain suspensions, like those for unpaid child support.
To apply, you must provide proof of enrollment in a required course, such as an ADI or DUI school, before your hearing. Habitual Traffic Offenders must complete the 12-hour ADI course before applying. The application is submitted to the FLHSMV’s Bureau of Administrative Reviews for a hearing to assess your case.
At the hearing, you must demonstrate a need for limited driving privileges. If approved, the hardship license has strict limits on when and where you can drive. Application fees are around $12 to $25, separate from the final reinstatement fees.