What a Florida hardship license does and who can get one
A hardship license in Florida lets you drive to work, school, medical appointments, and a few other essential places even though your regular license is suspended because of a DUI conviction. It is not a full license — you cannot drive anywhere you want, anytime you want — but it lets you keep your job and handle necessary errands while your suspension is in effect.
You can request a hardship license if you are facing a suspension from a DUI arrest or conviction. The timing depends on whether you refused the breath or blood test: if you refused, your suspension starts when ready after arrest, and you can request a hardship license right away. If you took the test, your suspension begins later — either 6 months after conviction (if your blood alcohol was under 0.15) or 12 months after conviction (if it was 0.15 or higher). You can request a hardship license once your suspension actually begins.
Florida calls this license a Business Purposes Only license, or BPO license. You will see both names used.
Key Takeaways
- A hardship license in Florida lets you drive only to work, school, medical care, court, DUI school, and a few other essential places — not for personal errands or social trips.
- You must request the license from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), not from a court, and you pay a fee that varies based on how long your suspension lasts.
- You need an SR-22 insurance form from your insurance company before you can get the license, and you must carry proof of that insurance in your vehicle at all times.
- If you refused the breath or blood test, you can request a hardship license when ready; if you took the test, you must wait until your suspension period officially begins.
- Violating the restrictions — driving somewhere other than an approved purpose — results in when ready license revocation and criminal charges.
Where you can and cannot drive with a hardship license
A hardship license comes with a strict list of approved purposes. You can drive to and from work, school, or a job-training program. You can drive to medical appointments, including mental health treatment and substance abuse counseling. You can drive to court, to your DUI school classes, and to meet with your lawyer. You can also drive to a gas station or repair shop if the trip is necessary to support one of those approved purposes — for example, filling up before work or getting your car fixed so you can get to your job.
You cannot use a hardship license for grocery shopping, visiting friends, running errands, going to restaurants, attending social events, or any other personal reason. You cannot drive for pleasure. If a police officer stops you and you cannot explain why you are on the road in terms of an approved purpose, you will lose the license on the spot and face criminal charges for driving with a suspended license.
Many people keep a written list of their approved purposes and the addresses they drive to, along with their work schedule. If you are stopped, this document can help you explain where you were going. Some people also photograph their workplace, school, or medical office as proof of the location.
How to request a hardship license from DHSMV
You submit your request to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), not to a court. You can request a hardship license in person at any DHSMV office, by mail, or online through the DHSMV website. The online option is fastest if your case is straightforward.
To request online, go to the DHSMV website, select "Hardship License" or "Business Purposes Only License," and follow the form. You will need your driver's license number, your case number from your DUI arrest or conviction, and information about your job, school, or medical needs. You will also need to upload a copy of your SR-22 insurance form (explained in the next section). DHSMV will review your request and mail you a decision, usually within 2 to 3 weeks.
If you request in person, bring your driver's license, your case number, a completed hardship license process (available at any DHSMV office or on their website), and your SR-22 form. You will pay a fee at the time of request — the amount depends on the length of your suspension, but typically ranges from $75 to $150. If DHSMV approves your request, you will receive your hardship license in the mail within a few days.
If you request by mail, send your completed process, case number, and SR-22 form to the DHSMV address listed on their website, along with a check or money order for the fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so DHSMV can return your documents. This method takes longer — usually 3 to 4 weeks — because of mail processing time.
Getting an SR-22 insurance form before you explore
Before you can request a hardship license, you must have an SR-22 form from your car insurance company. This form proves to the state that you carry the minimum required liability insurance. You cannot get a hardship license without it.
Contact your current insurance company and ask them to file an SR-22 on your behalf. If you do not have insurance, you will need to buy a policy first — many insurance companies will sell you a policy even with a DUI on your record, though your rates will be higher. Once your insurance company files the SR-22, they will give you a copy. Keep this copy with you in your vehicle at all times while you have the hardship license. If you are pulled over and cannot show proof of the SR-22, you can be charged with driving without proof of insurance.
The SR-22 is not a separate insurance policy — it is a form your insurance company files with the state on top of your regular policy. It costs little or nothing to file, though your overall insurance rates may increase because of the DUI. The form remains on file for 3 years from the date your suspension ends, so you will need to maintain your insurance for that entire period.
How long you can use a hardship license
A hardship license is temporary. It lasts only as long as your suspension period. In Florida, a DUI suspension typically lasts 6 months for a first offense with a blood alcohol under 0.15, or 12 months if your blood alcohol was 0.15 or higher. If you refused the breath or blood test, your suspension is 1 year for a first offense.
Once your suspension period ends, your hardship license expires and your regular driving privileges are restored — assuming you have completed all other requirements of your sentence, such as DUI school, fines, and probation. You do not need to do anything to transition from a hardship license to a regular license; it happens automatically when the suspension ends.
If you are convicted of a second DUI while your first suspension is still active, or if you violate the restrictions of your hardship license, the license will be revoked when ready and your suspension period will be extended. This is why it is critical to follow the approved purposes strictly.
What happens if you violate the hardship license restrictions
Driving outside the approved purposes — for example, stopping at a store on the way home from work, or driving to a friend's house — is a criminal offense in Florida. If you are stopped and cannot justify your location as part of an approved purpose, the officer will confiscate your hardship license on the spot. You will then be driving with a suspended license, which carries criminal penalties including fines, jail time, and a longer suspension.
A violation also extends your original suspension period. If you were originally suspended for 6 months and you violate the hardship license restrictions after 3 months, your suspension may be extended by an additional 6 months or more, depending on the severity of the violation and your driving history.
Some violations are more serious than others. Driving to a location that is slightly off your direct route — for example, a gas station that is not on your way — may be viewed more leniently than driving across town for a social event. However, the safest approach is to treat the approved purposes as absolute. If you need to go somewhere that is not on the approved list, wait until your suspension ends.
Hardship license vs. other options after a DUI suspension
A hardship license is one way to keep driving during a suspension, but it is not the only option. Some people choose to carpool, use public transportation, or ask family members to drive them. These options avoid the risk of violating hardship license restrictions and do not require an SR-22 or a fee.
If your job or school is truly impossible to reach without driving, a hardship license is worth the cost and the restrictions. But if you have other ways to get where you need to go, those alternatives may be safer and simpler. Talk to your DUI lawyer about whether a hardship license makes sense for your situation.
In some cases, you may also be able to request a work permit instead of a hardship license, though the rules are similar. Your lawyer can advise you on which option is best for your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to the grocery store if it is on the way home from work?
No. Even if the store is on your direct route, stopping there is not an approved purpose and violates your hardship license restrictions. You can only drive directly to and from work, school, medical appointments, court, DUI school, and a few other specific places. If you need groceries, ask someone else to shop for you or go after your suspension ends.
What if I get pulled over while driving on my hardship license?
Keep your hardship license, proof of SR-22 insurance, and your vehicle registration in an straightforward-to-reach place. If stopped, be honest about where you are going and why. If the officer believes you are violating the restrictions, they will confiscate your hardship license and you will be charged with driving with a suspended license. If you are within the approved purposes, the stop should end with a warning or citation unrelated to your license status.
Do I have to pay the hardship license fee every month?
No. You pay a one-time fee when you request the hardship license, usually $75 to $150 depending on your suspension length. You do not pay monthly. However, you must maintain your SR-22 insurance throughout your suspension, and your insurance rates will likely be higher because of the DUI.
Can I request a hardship license if I have not been convicted yet?
If you refused the breath or blood test, yes — your suspension begins when ready after arrest and you can request a hardship license right away, even before trial. If you took the test, you must wait until your suspension officially begins, which happens after conviction. Talk to your DUI lawyer about the timing in your case.
What happens to my hardship license if I get another DUI?
It will be revoked when ready, and your suspension will be extended significantly. A second DUI within 5 years of the first is treated as a more serious offense, and you will lose all driving privileges for a longer period. You will not be able to request another hardship license until the new suspension period begins.