Do you need to reinstate your suspended Florida drivers license? The reinstatement process doesn't have to be complicated, but make sure you do it in a timely manner.
Reinstating Suspended Drivers Licenses Following Florida DUI Suspended drivers licenses reinstatement from a DUI conviction in Florida has more steps than any other suspension cause. When reinstating suspended drivers license after a DUI, the points assigned to the offense are always considered. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) provides oversight, education, and monitoring for licensed Driving Under the Influence (DUI) programs in Florida, contracted ignition interlock device (IID) providers, and drivers with illegal substance-related driving infractions. DHSMV’s Bureau.
Driving with a suspended Florida drivers license is a serious offense with serious consequences. A suspended license can even result in jail time if not reinstated. We've collected helpful information to assist you with everything you need to reinstate your Florida license. Select from the options below to get started.
1: Get Started with Online Application Assistance
Application assistance services can simplify the process for many DMV related services for a fee, including: renewing your license, applying for a license, registering a vehicle, replacing your license, changing your address and more. In addition to assistance in preparing official forms, the value added services and products you will receive include a comprehensive Easy Guide™ containing information relevant to your service needs; 30 days of both emergency Roadside Assistance and the Repair Assist consultation service from Road America. Other benefits include an ongoing monthly newsletter and a quarterly magazine covering important updates that affect drivers, important safety tips, trends, legislative updates and ways to save money on vehicle-related services.
2: By mail
Some drivers prefer to handle the renewal process by mail, rather than taking advantage of assistance services, visiting the DMV in person, or via available online services. Service by mail is available with limitations. Read below for additional details or visit your local DMV.
3: Via a DMV office
Florida Drivers License Suspension Dui License
If your specific needs require an in-person visit, most, if not all, driver license services can be handled at your local DMV office. Varying DMV offices sometimes supply different types of services so you will need to check before your visit to make sure the DMV closest to you provides the service you require. In addition, you can call to see if your DMV allows you to make a personal appointment.
Reasons for a Suspended Florida Drivers License
Driving Under the Influence - DUI
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol will result in suspension of your driving privileges for a period determined by the number of similar violations and the time between violations. A DUI may result in a suspension for as little as 6 months with your first conviction. Further convictions may result in a suspension for up to 10 years. You will also be required to complete a DUI program before your license is reinstated.
Depending on the degree of your violation, you may be able to apply for a restricted license allowing you to drive between school and work. Additional DUIs may result in further suspension.
Not Completing Traffic School
As penalty for a traffic violation, Florida drivers may be asked to complete a court-ordered traffic school course. Failure to complete a traffic course will result in a suspension of your driving privileges.
Failure to Appear on a Traffic Summons or Pay Fine
Also, if you have been issued a traffic summons or a fine, and have not appeared in court or paid the full amount, you may be issued an indefinite suspension of your Florida driver license.
Lack of Auto Insurance
The state of Florida requires that owners of motor vehicles maintain at least a minimum level of car insurance. Failure to have adequate insurance on your vehicle may result in suspension of your Florida drivers license for up to three years.
Inadequate Vision
If your vision is poor and you do not seek some form of vision correction, your license may be suspended indefinitely. You might be able to reinstate your suspended Florida license if you are later able to prove that minimum vision standards are met.
Suspension for Points
If you accrue too many points on your license in a short period of time it will be suspended for at least 30 days and up to 12 months. These points will remain on your driver record for 36 months, starting from the date of conviction.
Traffic Violation resulting in personal injury or death – No DUI
If your traffic violation resulted in death or serious bodily injury, but did not involve Driving While Under the Influence (DUI), your license will be suspended for 3 months to 1 year.
Habitual Traffic Offender - HTO
If you are consistently involved in traffic violations, you will be listed as a Habitual Traffic Offender. Your license will be revoked for up to five years. Driving while your license is revoked may result in imprisonment in the county jail and further fines.
Helpful Links
Florida Driver License Offices
Florida Drivers License Suspension Reasons
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What is a DUI in Florida?
Because drinking and driving is so dangerous, the penalties for doing so are extremely harsh in Florida. The state is serious about curbing injuries and deaths from alcohol-related crashes. The more DUIs you receive, the worse the penalties become. Not to mention the fact that both the courts and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, will have a say in what happens to you after you are stopped for driving under the influence.
Florida Drivers License Suspension For Dui
Driving under the influence (DUI) is defined as operating a motor vehicle while impaired with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, a chemical substance, or a controlled substance. Those under 21 years old will be charged with a DUI if their BAC is 0.02% or over and commercial drivers will be charged if their BAC is 0.04% or over.
Florida Drivers License Check
First DUI Conviction in Florida
Even your 1st DUI conviction can be costly both in time, fines and living with the consequences. The courts (criminal penalties) and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (Administrative penalties) can take actions such as:
Administrative Penalties
- Driver's license suspension/revocation: 180 days to 1 year
- DUI Program (if required) and fee: $15
- Administrative fee: $130.
- Driver's license reinstatement fee:
- Suspension: $45
- Revocation: $75.
- Maintain FR-44 for 3 years
- Ignition Interlock Device and fee of $12 (if granted a restricted driver's license).
Criminal Penalties
- Fines of $500 to $1,000.
- If you have a BAL of 0.15% or higher, or had a minor in the car, the fine will range between $1,000 and $2,000.
- Community service. Mandatory 50 hours, or an additional fine equaling $10 per required community service hour.
- Probation of no more than 1 year.
- Jail time of up to 6 months. For BAL of 0.15% or higher, the sentence could last 9 months.
- Vehicle impoundment for 10 days (not counted during your incarceration)
- Ignition Interlock Device.
Second DUI Conviction
Administrative Penalties
- Driver's license suspension/revocation
- Not within 5 years: 180 days to 1 year
- Within 5 years: 5 years
- DUI Program (if required) and fee: $15
- Administrative fee: $130.
- Driver's license reinstatement fee:
- Suspension: $45
- Revocation: $75.
- Maintain FR-44 for 3 years
- Ignition Interlock Device: $12 if granted a restricted driver's license.
Criminal Penalties
- Fines of $1,000 to $2,000. For BAL of .0.15% or higher, or a minor in the car, minimum $2,000 to $4,000.
- Jail time of not more than 9 months. A BAL of .0.15% or higher, or driving with a minor in the car, will require up to 12 months*.
- Vehicle impoundment for 30 days.*
Third FL DUI Conviction
Administrative Penalties
- Driver's license suspension/revocation:
- Not within 10 years: 180 days to 1 year.
- Previous offense within 5 years: 5 years
- Last 2 offenses within 10 years: 10 years
- DUI Program (if required) and fee: $15
- Administrative fee: $130.
- Driver's license reinstatement fee:
- Suspension: $45
- Revocation: $75.
- Maintain FR-44 for 3 years
- Ignition Interlock Device: $12 if granted a restricted driver's license.
Criminal Penalties
- Fines of $2,000 to $5,000. If your BAL was .0.15% or higher or you had a minor in the vehicle, the minimum fine is $4,000.
- Jail time. Mandatory 30 days. Depending on previous convictions the maximum jail time is 12 months.*
- Vehicle impoundment for 90 days.*
Fourth or Subsequent DUI Conviction
Administrative Penalties
- Driver's license suspension/revocation: 5 years (no hardship available)
- DUI Program (if required) and fee: $15
- Administrative fee: $130.
- Driver's license reinstatement fee:
- Suspension: $45
- Revocation: $75.
- Maintain FR-44 for 3 years
- Ignition Interlock Device: $12 if granted a restricted driver's license.
Criminal Penalties
- Minimum $2,000 fine.
- Jail time of up to 5 years.
FL Drivers Younger Than 21 Years of Age
Young drivers who are found with a BAC of 0.02% or higher are subject to an automatic Administrative suspension of 6 months by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. For most people, a single drink will put them over that limit. More than one conviction,or refusing to take a BAC test, will have you lose your license for much longer:- DUI 2nd offense: 1 year.
- Refusing to take BAC test 1st offense: 1 year.
- Refusing to take BAC test 2nd offense: 18 months.
DUI Misdemeanors, Felonies and Manslaughter
The penalties listed above may sound harsh, but they're really the best-case scenario for a person who makes the decision to drink alcohol and then get into a car and drive. If you hurt someone while impaired or, worse yet, cause a death, the above penalties will seem like a slap on the wrist. DUI Misdemeanors, Felonies and Manslaughter carry extremely high penalties.
Administrative actions alone carry permanent revocation of your license with very little hope for a hardship license within 5 years if you cause a fatality. If you have had any prior convictions for DUI you will never be allowed to possess a driver's license again. This does not include the fines of up to $10,000 you could pay or the 30 years imprisonment you may face for a DUI Manslaughter or Felony charge.How to Reinstate you Driver's License with the FL DHSMV
Even if you haven't caused injuries or served jail time, losing your license can seriously affect other areas of your life, not the least of which is your job.Hardship License Reinstatement
In some cases, it might be possible to have your suspended license reinstated for hardship purposes, meaning to drive to and from work only. You'll have to complete a DUI program and probably have an ignition interlock device installed on your car for 6 months to 5 years.Ignition Interlock Device
The ignition interlock device requires the driver to give a breath sample before starting the car. If the BAC is more than 0.025%, the car will not start. The device even submits the driver to 'rolling retests,' meaning an alarm will sound and the driver must give a sample while operating the vehicle. Even if you don't apply for a hardship reinstatement, you'll still be required to take the DUI course and possibly use an ignition interlock device. There's no way to recover from a DUI conviction easily or quickly. The best idea is the simplest: Don't drink and drive, period. For more official details and regulations concerning DUI convictions, please see the state's website.