Where to explore for a hardship license in Volusia County

In Volusia County, you request a hardship license through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), but the process starts at your local county office. The main office that handles hardship license requests for Volusia County residents is the Volusia County Tax Collector's Driver License Office, located at 1316 Peachtree Avenue in Deland. You cannot mail in a hardship license request — you must appear in person with your documents.

Before you go to the office, you need to understand what a hardship license actually is: it's a restricted license that lets you drive only for specific purposes (work, school, medical treatment, court-ordered programs) while your regular license is suspended. The Tax Collector's office will not issue the license itself — they take your petition and supporting documents, then forward them to DHSMV for approval. DHSMV makes the final decision, and you'll be notified by mail whether you were approved.

The process typically takes two to four weeks from the time you submit your petition. If DHSMV approves your request, they'll mail your hardship license to the address you provide. If they deny it, they'll mail a letter explaining why.

Key Takeaways

  • You must go in person to the Volusia County Tax Collector's Driver License Office in Deland to submit a hardship license petition — mailing it in is not an option.
  • The Tax Collector's office takes your petition and documents, but DHSMV in Tallahassee makes the final approval decision.
  • You need a valid reason for the hardship (work, school, medical care, or court-ordered program) and documents proving that reason.
  • Approval takes two to four weeks, and you'll receive your hardship license by mail if DHSMV approves your petition.
  • A hardship license is restricted — you can only drive for the specific purposes listed on it, not for personal errands or social activities.

What documents you need to bring

Bring your current driver's license or ID, proof of your suspension (usually a letter from DHSMV), and documents that prove the hardship you're claiming. If your hardship is work-related, bring a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job title, work schedule, and that you need to drive to work. The letter should be dated and signed by a manager or HR representative.

If your hardship is medical (you need to drive to treatment, dialysis, or doctor visits), bring a letter from your doctor or healthcare provider on their letterhead. The letter should state what treatment you need, how often, and why you cannot use public transportation or another person to get there. If your hardship is school-related, bring an enrollment letter or class schedule from the school or college.

If you're required to attend a court-ordered program (DUI school, anger management, probation check-ins), bring the court order or a letter from the program stating the requirement and schedule. Bring proof of your address — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days. You'll also need to pay a fee; check the current amount with the Tax Collector's office when you call to schedule your appointment, as fees change.

How to schedule your appointment

Call the Volusia County Tax Collector's Driver License Office at (386) 736-5927 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are sometimes accepted, but appointments are faster and more reliable. Tell them you need to submit a hardship license petition and ask what documents they need you to bring — office staff can answer questions about what counts as proof of hardship.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is closed on weekends and state holidays. If you cannot reach them by phone, you can visit in person during business hours to schedule an appointment or ask questions. Bring all your documents with you — do not mail them ahead.

What happens after you submit your petition

After you submit your petition and documents at the Tax Collector's office, they will give you a receipt. Keep this receipt — it shows you applied and when. The office will send your petition to DHSMV's central office in Tallahassee, where a hearing officer or examiner will review it.

DHSMV will look at whether your reason for the hardship is legitimate, whether your documents support it, and whether you meet Florida's legal requirements for a hardship license. They may approve it, deny it, or request more information. If they need more information, they'll mail you a letter asking for it — you'll have a important date to respond, usually 10 to 14 days.

If DHSMV approves your hardship license, they'll mail it to you. The license will list the specific purposes you're allowed to drive for (such as "employment only" or "medical treatment and employment"). You must carry this license with you whenever you drive, and you can only drive for the listed purposes. Driving outside those purposes — for example, stopping at a store on the way home from work — can result in a new charge and a longer suspension.

What to do if your hardship license is denied

If DHSMV denies your petition, they'll mail you a letter explaining the reason. Common reasons for denial include: your hardship reason is not one Florida law recognizes, your documents don't prove the hardship, you have too many prior suspensions, or you don't meet the waiting period requirement (you must wait a certain amount of time after your suspension begins before you can request a hardship license).

If you believe the denial was wrong, you have the right to request a hearing before a DHSMV hearing officer. The denial letter will explain how to request a hearing and the important date — usually 30 days. You can represent yourself or hire a lawyer. At the hearing, you can present new documents or testimony to support your hardship claim.

Other Volusia County driver license offices

The Deland office is the main location for hardship license petitions, but Volusia County has other Tax Collector driver license offices in Daytona Beach, Port Orange, and Deltona. However, not all of these offices handle hardship license requests — call ahead to confirm. The Deland office is the safest choice if you're unsure, as it definitely processes hardship petitions.

If you live closer to one of the other offices, call that office first to ask whether they accept hardship license petitions. If they do, you can submit your petition there instead of driving to Deland. If they don't, they can tell you which office to visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to wait after my suspension starts before I can request a hardship license?

The waiting period depends on why your license was suspended. For a first-time DUI suspension, you typically must wait 30 days. For other suspensions (points, unpaid tickets, failure to pay child support), the waiting period varies. Check your suspension letter from DHSMV — it will state when you become may be able to access to request a hardship license.

Can I drive to the store or run errands with a hardship license?

No. A hardship license is restricted to the specific purposes listed on it. If your hardship license says "employment only," you can drive to and from work, but not to the grocery store, bank, or anywhere else. Driving outside the listed purposes is a violation and can result in additional charges.

What if I don't have a letter from my employer or doctor?

You need written proof of your hardship. If your employer or doctor won't provide a letter, ask the Tax Collector's office what other documents they'll accept — some offices accept pay stubs, work schedules, or medical records. Call ahead so you know what to bring.

Can I request a hardship license if I have multiple suspensions?

It depends on the suspensions. If you have multiple active suspensions, you may not be may be able to access for a hardship license for all of them. Call the Tax Collector's office or check your suspension letters from DHSMV to understand which suspensions allow hardship licenses and which don't.

What if DHSMV approves my hardship license but I no longer need it?

You can stop using it at any time. When your suspension period ends, your regular license will be reinstated automatically (assuming you've paid any required fees or fines). You don't need to return the hardship license — it straightforward expires when your suspension ends.