What a Florida hardship license does and who can get one

A hardship license in Florida lets you drive to specific places — work, school, medical appointments, court — while your license is suspended. You cannot use it for any other reason. The state calls it a "Business Purpose Only" license, and it requires a court order from the judge who suspended your license.

You can request one if your suspension is for unpaid traffic tickets, unpaid child support, unpaid court fines, or a DUI conviction (with some limits). You cannot get a hardship license if your suspension is for a medical reason, a failed drug test, or a conviction for driving with a suspended license. The judge decides whether to grant it based on whether you have shown financial hardship and whether the reason for driving is genuinely necessary.

A hardship license is not automatic. You must ask for it in writing, and the judge can say no. Even if approved, it lasts only as long as your suspension — once your suspension ends, the hardship license ends too.

Key Takeaways

  • A hardship license requires a written request to the judge in the county where your suspension was ordered, not to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
  • You must show the judge that you have a genuine financial hardship and that you need to drive for work, school, medical care, or court-ordered purposes.
  • The judge can approve, deny, or approve with conditions — such as requiring an ignition interlock device if your suspension is DUI-related.
  • Once the judge signs the order, you take it to your local DHSMV office to get the hardship license card, which costs a fee.
  • You can only drive to the specific purposes listed in the court order; any other driving is illegal and can result in arrest.

Which county court to file in and what documents you need

File your request in the circuit court in the county where your suspension was ordered. If you do not know which county, call the DHSMV at 850-617-2000 and give them your driver's license number — they will tell you. Do not file in traffic court or county court; it must be circuit court.

You will need to bring or mail a written petition to the judge. The petition should include your name, driver's license number, the reason for your suspension, the date the suspension began, and a statement explaining your financial hardship and why you need to drive. Attach a copy of the suspension notice from DHSMV (you can request this by mail or online at flhsmv.gov). If your suspension is for unpaid fines or child support, bring proof of the amount owed and proof that you cannot pay it in full right now — a recent pay stub, bank statement, or letter from your employer showing reduced hours works.

Some counties have a form you can use. Call the circuit court clerk's office in your county and ask if they have a "Petition for Hardship License" form. If they do, use it. If not, write a letter to the judge instead. Either way, file it in person at the courthouse or by mail to the circuit court clerk's office.

How to file your petition and what happens next

Take your petition and supporting documents to the circuit court clerk's office during business hours, or mail them to the address on the courthouse website. When you file in person, the clerk will stamp it and give you a file number. Ask the clerk whether the judge will review it on paper or whether you need to appear in court. Some judges grant hardship licenses on the paperwork alone; others require you to show up and explain your situation to the judge.

If you must appear in court, the clerk will tell you the date and time. Wear clean clothes, arrive early, and bring all your documents again. Tell the judge clearly why you need to drive — for example, "I work at a warehouse on Maple Street and have no other way to get there" or "I have a medical appointment at the VA hospital every Tuesday." Be honest about your finances. Judges hear these requests regularly and can tell when someone is exaggerating.

The judge will either sign the order, deny it, or ask you to come back with more information. If the judge signs it, you will receive a copy. If your suspension is DUI-related, the judge may require you to install an ignition interlock device in your car before the hardship license becomes active. This device prevents the car from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath.

Getting your hardship license card from DHSMV

Once you have the signed court order, take it to your local DHSMV office. Bring your current ID (passport, military ID, or another government-issued ID), proof of residence (utility bill or lease dated within 90 days), and your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. You will also need to pay a fee — as of 2024, this is $75 for a hardship license, though fees can change.

The DHSMV office will issue you a hardship license card on the spot. It will list the specific purposes you are allowed to drive for — for example, "Employment Only" or "Employment and Medical Treatment." You must carry this card and your ID whenever you drive. If you are stopped by police and cannot show the hardship license, you can be arrested for driving with a suspended license.

If your suspension was for DUI and the judge ordered an ignition interlock device, you must have it installed before you pick up the hardship license card. The DHSMV office can give you a list of certified installers in your area. The device costs between $70 and $150 to install and $50 to $100 per month to monitor.

Limits on where and when you can drive

Your hardship license is not a regular license. You can drive only to the purposes listed in the court order. If the order says "Employment Only," you cannot drive to the grocery store, to visit friends, or to run errands — only to and from work. If it says "Employment and Medical Treatment," you can drive to work and to doctor's appointments, but nowhere else.

Some judges add time limits: for example, "Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m." If your order has time limits, you cannot drive outside those hours, even if you have a legitimate reason. Driving outside the purposes or times listed in your order is driving with a suspended license, which is a criminal offense in Florida.

Keep a copy of the court order in your car at all times. If you are stopped by police, show them both the hardship license and the court order. If you lose the hardship license card, go back to the DHSMV office and request a replacement.

What happens if you violate the hardship license terms

Driving outside the purposes or times listed in your court order is a criminal violation. You can be arrested, charged with driving with a suspended license, and face fines up to $500, jail time up to 60 days, or both. A second violation within five years carries harsher penalties. Your hardship license will be revoked when ready, and you will be back to a full suspension.

Police can check the terms of your hardship license in their system. If they stop you and see that you are driving outside the approved purposes, they will know. For example, if your order says "Employment Only" and you are stopped at a shopping mall, the officer will see that you are violating the terms.

If you need to drive for a reason not listed in your order — for example, your child gets sick and you need to take them to the emergency room — you still cannot drive. Instead, call an ambulance, a taxi, or a friend. The hardship license is strict by design. If you believe your circumstances have changed and you need different driving purposes, you must file a new petition with the judge and ask for the order to be modified.

How long the hardship license lasts and what comes next

Your hardship license lasts only as long as your suspension. If your suspension is for 6 months, the hardship license expires after 6 months. If your suspension is for 1 year, the hardship license expires after 1 year. When the suspension ends, the hardship license automatically ends — you do not need to do anything.

Once your suspension period is over, you can explore to DHSMV to reinstate your regular license. The process depends on why you were suspended. If it was for unpaid fines or child support, you must show proof that you have paid what you owe. If it was for a DUI, you may need to complete a substance abuse course and pay a reinstatement fee. Go to flhsmv.gov or call 850-617-2000 to find out what you need to do.

If you want to end the hardship license before your suspension period is over — for example, because you no longer need to drive — you can return the card to DHSMV and ask for it to be cancelled. This does not shorten your suspension; you will still have to wait out the full suspension period before you can get a regular license back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a hardship license if my license was suspended for a DUI?

Yes, but with conditions. The judge can grant a hardship license for DUI suspensions, but usually requires an ignition interlock device to be installed in your car. This device prevents the car from starting if it detects alcohol. You must have it installed before you can use the hardship license, and you pay for installation and monthly monitoring yourself.

What if the judge denies my hardship license request?

You can file another petition after 6 months, or sooner if your circumstances change significantly — for example, if you lose your job and then find a new one, or if you get a medical diagnosis that makes driving necessary. Bring new documents showing the change. You cannot appeal the judge's decision to a higher court, but you can ask the same judge to reconsider.

Do I need a lawyer to file for a hardship license?

No. You can file the petition yourself. Many people do. A lawyer can help if you are unsure how to write the petition or if your case is complicated, but it is not required. The circuit court clerk can answer basic questions about how to file.

Can I drive to places other than those listed in my court order?

No. Driving outside the approved purposes is a criminal violation and can result in arrest. If your circumstances change and you need to drive for a different reason, you must file a new petition asking the judge to modify the order.

What if I move to a different county while my hardship license is active?

Your hardship license remains valid in any county in Florida. The court order does not change. However, if you move out of state, the hardship license is no longer valid — Florida hardship licenses only work in Florida.