Driving with a Suspended License in Florida

Every year more than one million Florida residents lose their legal ability to drive thanks to license suspensions. So it’s no surprise that so many people find themselves facing charges for driving with a suspended license in Florida.

If you’re convicted it’s not as simple as paying a minor fee. You’re looking at potential jail time and being legally barred from driving for years to come.

Keep reading to understand your options in this scenario and why working with a suspended license lawyer is the best path forward.

Driver’s License Suspensions in FL: More Common Than You Think

The truth is getting your driver’s license suspended in Florida is a lot more common than you might think. Most commonly the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issues suspensions due to a failure to pay a fine or traffic citation.

Here are some other reasons you may find yourself dealing with a suspended driver’s license in FL:

• Not having auto insurance
• Delinquent on child support
• Past drug-related convictions
• Past DUI arrests or convictions
• Following a hit-and-run accident
• Failure to pay fines, court fees, etc.
• Too many points accrued on license
• Classified as a habitual traffic offender
• Charged with racing on FL streets or highways
• Failure to appear in court, i.e., for a traffic summons
• Felony convictions (if a vehicle was used during the crime)
• Past convictions for fleeing law enforcement, petty theft, etc.

Penalties for Driving with a Suspended License in Florida

If you’re caught driving with a suspended license in FL you face several serious penalties. But the exact details depend on whether you’ve ever been arrested for this same offense before.

For your first conviction you could be sentenced to:

• A second-degree misdemeanor on your criminal record
• Fines up to $500
• Up to 60 days in Jail

For your second conviction your possible consequences are:

• A first-degree misdemeanor on your criminal record
• Fines up to $1000
• Up to 1 year in jail

If this is your third (or beyond) conviction your penalties include:

• A third-degree felony on your criminal record
• Fined up to $5000
• Up to 5 years in a Florida state prison
• Classified as a “habitual traffic offender”
• Impoundment of your vehicle

Potential Defenses for Driving with a Suspended License in FL

There are several potential defenses for being caught while driving with a suspended license in FL. When you choose the DUI Center for your legal representation possible strategies include:

• Proving you weren’t actually driving the vehicle
• Showing you were driving on private property, not a public street
• Demonstrating you weren’t aware that your license was suspended
• Verifying that the vehicle in question isn’t a “motor vehicle”
• Establishing that you believed your license had been fully reinstated
• Negotiating for your charges to be reduced down to No Valid Driver’s License
• Calling into question whether the traffic stop was legal and conducted properly

But don’t worry if none of these sound immediately applicable to your case. We’ll explore every possibility in terms of getting your charges reduced or dismissed entirely so you can move on with your life.

Book Your Free Consultation with a Knowledgeable Suspended License Lawyer

The biggest pitfall to be aware of here is that without a skilled lawyer your charges for driving with a suspended license in FL can go from bad to worse. The prosecution will look at every bit of data they have available— including your criminal record.

If you’ve, for example, been charged with a DUI or were caught driving on a suspended license in the past few years the penalties you face will become even more severe.

But you don’t need to spend hours Googling “lawyers for driver’s license suspension near me in Palm Beach County FL” because you’ve already found the DUI Center. We specialize in strategically defending clients who face these kinds of charges.

Call (561) 951-1264 now to book your free case consultation with a reliable, knowledgeable suspended license lawyer.

FAQs About Driving with a Suspended License in FL

Will insurance cover an accident if you are driving with a suspended license in Florida?

Insurance may or may not cover an accident if you’re driving with a suspended license in Florida depending on the details of your situation.

Insurance companies often have many requirements for drivers with suspended licenses. You may need to file an SR22 form to stay insured and your rates are likely to go up. Even if you jump through these hoops it’s ultimately up to your insurance provider and the fine print on your policy.

And it’s entirely possible that your provider will deny the claim.

This is very common when the policyholder drives illegally—which you’d be doing if you got into an accident while driving with a suspended license in FL.

What is a hardship license and how does it work in Florida?

In Florida a hardship license allows you to drive for necessary errands—like getting to and from work—even when your driver’s license is technically suspended.

But you aren’t automatically granted one as soon as your license is revoked. Instead, you have to formally apply, pay several fees and submit documents proving you’ve completed a driver re-education program.

Working with a driving with a suspended license lawyer is the best way to ensure your paperwork is in order and that your application has the highest likelihood of being approved.

Should you hire a lawyer if caught driving with a suspended license in Florida?

Yes, you should hire a lawyer if you’re caught driving with a suspended license in Florida. You see this isn’t a minor infraction with a small fine—it’s a criminal offense and a conviction carries serious long-lasting penalties. The sooner you hire a suspended license lawyer the more time you have to build a solid defense strategy. Call The DUI Center today at (561) 951-1264.