DUI & Criminal Division

Driver license suspension and revocation in Florida

January 27, 2023

First of all, there is a distinction between having your license suspended and having it revoked.

  • An example suspension could mean that your license will be invalid for a specific time period, afterwhich, you may be allowed to resume your driving privileges.
  • A DUI revocation means that your license has been cancelled and you will not be able to legally drive until an investigation has been conducted. At that point, you may or may not be allowed to resume your driving privileges.

Insurance companies routinely check for driver license suspensions/revocations. If either of these conditions are noted in your record, your carrier will not hesitate to raise your premiums significantly or, worst-case scenario, they may notify you that your policy has been cancelled. If that happens, you’ll be labelled “high risk” and will be forced to look for insurance elsewhere, paying excessively high rates.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON REASONS FOR A DRIVER LICENSE SUSPENSION?

  • TOO MANY MOVING VIOLATIONS ON YOUR RECORD: A “point” system is used which will automatically suspend your license if you exceed a certain number of points in a specific time period. 12 points will result in a suspension for 30 days. 18 points in 18 months will result in a 90 day suspension. 24 points in 36 months will result in a 1 year suspension.
  • DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (DUI): Your license could be suspended if you are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 1st offense results in a 6 month suspension. Second/subsequent offenses will result in a 1 year suspension. Refusal to submit to a breath/urine/blood test will result in a 1 year suspension. 2nd/subsequent refusal to submit to a breath/urine/blood test will result in an 18 month suspension.
  • DRIVING WITH A SUSPENDED LICENSE OR WITHOUT A LICENSE: Driving with a suspended license may result in an increase to the length of the original suspension and possible imprisonment. Your license can also be suspended if you operate a motor vehicle without carrying your license.
  • DRIVING A VEHICLE WITHOUT INSURANCE: Failure to have valid insurance may result in having your driver license suspended.
  • PHYSICAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS: An individual’s driver license may be suspended if an ordered examination/re-examination determines that the person is not fit to drive safely.
  • FALSE INFORMATION PROVIDED: Your license can be suspended if you provide false information on your driver license application.
  • OTHER TRAFFIC-RELATED VIOLATIONS: Your license can be suspended for 1 year for reckless driving, being at fault in a fatal accident or if you abandon your vehicle on a public highway. A suspension may result if a violation causes serious injury or death (not involving a DUI.)
  • NON-TRAFFIC RELATED SUSPENSIONS: Your license can be suspended for failure to respond to a Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles notice, to appear in court, to pay traffic tickets, fines or surcharges; not paying child support, failure to stop for a school bus or for under age tobacco use.

AUTOMATIC SUSPENSION OF DRIVER LICENSE

  • COMMISSION OF A CRIME OR A DISHONEST ACT INVOLVING A MOTOR VEHICLE.
  • LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. If convicted you may result in an automatic driver license revocation.
  • RECKLESS DRIVING VIOLATIONS WITHIN 1 YEAR.
  • RACING ON A HIGHWAY.
  • MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT MAKE DRIVING UNSAFE, SUCH AS POOR VISION.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT A DRIVER LICENSE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION?

Call THE TICKET CLINIC today or hire us online. Since 1987 the lawyers at The Ticket Clinic have helped more than 3,000,000 people all across the nation resolve their traffic-related cases. Call now for your free consultation at 1-800-CITATION (1-800-248-2846).

Rolando A. Sanchez, Esq.

Originally from Miami , grew up in Central Florida.  After high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force where he worked on F-15E fighter jets as an Avionics Technician.  He was Honorably Discharged. Afterwards, he attended University of Central Florida and received a BSBA Finance Degree, cum laude.  Next, he attended Barry University for law school and among other things, served as V.P. of the Veterans Legal Society.  Since graduating in 2016, Mr. Sanchez has dedicated his career to helping those charged with criminal matters.  These cases include traffic, misdemeanors and felonies, including trials and post-conviction relief. Mr. Sanchez is the lead attorney in Ticket Clinic’s Kissimmee office, handling cases in Osceola, Polk, Hardee and Desoto Counties.