Florida Hardship License

What Is a Hardship License?

A hardship license (also called a “hardship reinstatement”) is a type of driver’s license that grantstemporary and limited driving privileges. If you’ve been arrested for or convicted of driving under the influence in Florida and your license was suspended, you may be eligible to receive a hardship license.

There are two types of hardship licenses you can apply for in Florida, they are:

• Business License - This hardship licenses restricts your driving to activities such as driving to and from work, school, on the job driving and driving to church or medical appointments
• Work License - This hardship license restricts your driving to only work related driving

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If you need to obtain a hardship license in Florida, get in touch with the team at Barbarette & Quirk by calling (352) 356-4999 or completing an online form.

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How to Apply for a Hardship License in Florida

To apply for a hardship license in the state of Florida, you will need to complete the following steps:

• Register for a state-approved Florida Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) course and get your enrollment certificate.
• Fill out the Florida hardship license application.
• Take the application and certificate to your local Florida Bureau of Administrative Review offices and pay the required fees.
• Meet with a hearing officer to review your case. The review officer will make the decision if you receive a Florida hardship license or not.

How Much Is a Hardship License in Florida?

The fee to file for a hardship license is $12.00, but you may be required to pay additional fees depending on the specific factors surrounding your case, such as why your license was suspended and the type of DUI conviction you have.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for a Hardship License?

If you’ve had your driver’s license suspended after a DUI, you can apply for hardship reinstatement under specific circumstances, depending on how long ago you were convicted and other factors.

Other eligibility factors for a hardship license:

• If you were convicted of your first DUI, you may be eligible for hardship reinstatement after completing DUI school and applying for a Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) hearing.
• If you were convicted of second DUI offense (within five years of your first), your license will be revoked for at least five years; however, you can apply for a hardship license after one year.
• If you were convicted of a third offense in the span of 10 years, your driver’s license will be revoked for at least 10 years, but you can apply for a hardship license 2 years after your conviction.
• If you were convicted of drunk driving four times (regardless of how much time passed between them), your license can be permanently revoked; however, you may be able to request a hardship license after five years.
• If you were convicted of DUI manslaughter, your drivers’ license will most likely be revoked permanently, but you can seek a hardship license after five years (only if you have no prior DUI convictions on your record).

What Are Disqualifying Factors for a Hardship License?

Not everyone with a drunk driving conviction can get a Florida hardship license. Additionally, there is no provision for drivers convicted of DUI to operate a commercial motor vehicle.

For your first conviction, you may apply for a hardship license immediately after completing DUI school; if you are not able to show that you completed DUI school, you cannot apply. Subsequent DUI convictions make it more difficult to obtain a hardship license reinstatement.

If you have driven a car or consumed alcohol in the last 12 months prior to applying, for example, you will not be eligible for a hardship license. You will also not be eligible until one year has pass since your conviction. Additionally, your hardship license will be revoked if you fail to show up for mandatory counseling or treatment.

Can I Get a Hardship License if I Refused Breath / Blood Testing?

You can apply for a hardship license if you refused breath, urine, or blood testing – but only under certain circumstances:

• You do not have prior refusals
• You have served 90 days without a driver’s license
• You can demonstrate proof that you are enrolled in a DUI school