What suspension means and how long it lasts
A suspended driver's license in Florida means the state has temporarily taken away your right to drive. You cannot legally operate a vehicle during the suspension period. The suspension is not permanent — it ends on a specific date set by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) — but you cannot drive until that date passes and you meet any other requirements to restore your license.
The length of a suspension depends on why it was issued. A suspension for unpaid traffic fines might last 30 days. A suspension for a DUI conviction can last six months to several years. A suspension for failing to pay child support can remain in place until the debt is resolved. The DHSMV notice you receive will state the exact end date and the reason for the suspension.
During a suspension, driving is illegal. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you face additional criminal charges, fines, and a longer suspension. Your vehicle can be impounded. This is different from a revocation, which is permanent and requires you to reapply for a license after a waiting period, but suspensions are serious and carry real legal consequences if you ignore them.
Key Takeaways
- A suspension temporarily removes your driving privilege for a set period, which the DHSMV will notify you about in writing.
- Common reasons for suspension in Florida include unpaid traffic tickets, DUI convictions, failure to pay child support, and accumulating too many points on your driving record.
- You must wait until the suspension period ends and then take steps to restore your license, which usually involves paying fees and sometimes completing a course.
- Driving during a suspension is a crime and can result in arrest, additional fines, vehicle impoundment, and a longer suspension.
- You can check your suspension status through the DHSMV website or by calling their customer service line.
The most common reasons for suspension in Florida
Florida suspends licenses for many reasons, but a few account for most cases. Unpaid traffic citations are the single most common cause. When you fail to pay a fine or appear in court for a traffic ticket, the court notifies the DHSMV, which suspends your license. The suspension stays in place until you pay the fine, appear in court, or resolve the ticket through other means.
A DUI conviction (driving under the influence) triggers an automatic suspension. A first DUI conviction results in a six-month suspension. A second DUI within five years brings a five-year suspension. A third or subsequent DUI within ten years can result in a ten-year suspension. These suspensions begin when ready after conviction, even if you appeal.
Accumulating too many points on your driving record also causes suspension. Florida uses a point system: minor violations add two or three points, serious violations add four or six points. If you accumulate 12 points within 12 months, your license is suspended for 30 days. If you accumulate 18 points within 18 months, the suspension is 90 days. If you accumulate 24 points within 36 months, the suspension is 12 months.
Other common reasons include failure to pay child support, failure to maintain car insurance, failure to pay court-ordered restitution, and medical suspension (when the DHSMV determines you are medically unfit to drive). Each reason has its own process for resolution.
How to learn about your license is suspended
The DHSMV will send you a written notice if your license is suspended, but you do not have to wait for the mail. You can check your status when ready through the DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov. Click on "Driver License Lookup" and enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will show whether your license is valid, suspended, revoked, or expired.
If you cannot access the website, you can call the DHSMV customer service line at 1-844-5-FLORIDA (1-844-535-3742). Have your driver's license number ready. A representative can tell you the reason for the suspension, the end date, and what you need to do to restore your license.
If you believe your license was suspended in error, you can request a hearing through the DHSMV. The notice you received should explain how to request a hearing and the important date to do so. Missing the important date usually means you cannot challenge the suspension, so act quickly if you think a mistake was made.
Steps to restore your license after suspension ends
Restoring your license is not automatic. When the suspension period ends, you must take action. The exact steps depend on the reason for the suspension, but most restorations follow this pattern.
First, resolve the underlying issue. If the suspension was for unpaid fines, pay them. If it was for a DUI, you may need to complete a substance abuse course and install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle. If it was for unpaid child support, the support must be current. If it was for failure to maintain insurance, you must show proof of current coverage. The DHSMV notice or your court paperwork will specify what is required.
Second, pay the license restoration fee. Florida charges a fee to restore a suspended license — the amount varies depending on the reason for suspension, but typically ranges from $75 to $150. You pay this fee when you explore for restoration, not before.
Third, submit your restoration request to the DHSMV. You can do this in person at a driver's license office, by mail, or online through the DHSMV website. If you go in person, bring your driver's license, proof that you have resolved the underlying issue (paid fines, completed a course, proof of insurance), and the restoration fee. Processing usually takes one to two weeks.
Once your license is restored, you will receive a new license in the mail or can pick it up at a driver's license office. You are then legally permitted to drive again.
What happens if you drive during a suspension
Driving with a suspended license in Florida is a criminal offense. The charge and penalty depend on the reason for the suspension and whether you have prior convictions for the same offense.
A first offense of driving with a suspended license is typically a misdemeanor. You face up to 60 days in jail, a fine up to $500, and a mandatory six-month license suspension (added to your existing suspension). If your suspension was for a DUI-related reason, the penalties are harsher: up to one year in jail and a fine up to $1,000.
A second or subsequent offense within five years is a felony. You face up to five years in prison and a fine up to $5,000. Your vehicle can be impounded for up to 90 days, and you must pay impound and storage fees to recover it.
Beyond the legal consequences, a conviction for driving with a suspended license will appear on your criminal record and can affect employment, housing, and insurance. If you need to drive during a suspension, explore alternatives: use public transportation, rideshare services, or ask someone else to drive. The risk of driving is not worth it.
Hardship permits and limited driving privileges
In some cases, Florida allows you to request a hardship permit or limited driving privilege that lets you drive for specific purposes during a suspension. This is not a full license — it restricts where and when you can drive — but it can help if you need to get to work, school, or medical appointments.
Hardship permits are most commonly available for suspensions related to unpaid fines or points accumulation. They are not available for DUI-related suspensions or suspensions for failure to maintain insurance. To request a hardship permit, you must show the DHSMV that you have a genuine need to drive and that the hardship outweighs public safety concerns.
You explore for a hardship permit at a driver's license office. Bring documentation of your hardship — a letter from your employer stating you need to drive to work, a school enrollment letter, medical records showing you need to travel for treatment. The DHSMV will review your request and either approve or deny it. There is no fee, but approval is not may provide.
If approved, your hardship permit will specify the dates and times you can drive and the routes you are allowed to take. Violating the terms of the permit — driving outside the allowed times or locations — is a crime and can result in arrest and a longer suspension.
How suspension affects your insurance
A suspended license does not automatically cancel your auto insurance, but it creates serious problems. Most insurance companies will not renew your policy once they learn your license is suspended. Some will cancel your existing policy when ready.
If your suspension was for failure to maintain insurance, you will need to file an SR-22 form with the DHSMV when you restore your license. An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves you have insurance. Your insurance company files it on your behalf. You must maintain continuous coverage for the period required by the DHSMV — usually three years — or your license will be suspended again.
Even if an SR-22 is not required, you will likely face higher insurance premiums after a suspension. Insurance companies view a suspension as a sign of risk. Expect to pay more for coverage, and shop around — some companies specialize in high-risk drivers and may offer better rates than others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my license back before the suspension period ends?
Only in limited cases. If your suspension was for unpaid fines, paying the fines when ready may allow you to request early restoration. If your suspension was for a DUI, you cannot restore your license early. If you believe the suspension was issued in error, you can request a hearing, but you must do so within the important date stated in your notice.
What if I move out of Florida while my license is suspended?
Your Florida suspension remains in effect. If you move to another state and try to get a license there, most states will discover your Florida suspension through the National Driver Register and deny your process. You must resolve the suspension in Florida first, even if you no longer live there. You can often handle this by mail or online.
Does a suspended license show up on a background check?
Yes. A license suspension is a public record and will appear on background checks run by employers, landlords, and others. This is one reason it is important to resolve a suspension as soon as possible — the longer it remains on your record, the more it may affect your opportunities.
Can I get a commercial driver's license if my regular license is suspended?
No. You cannot hold any type of Florida driver's license while a suspension is in effect. You must restore your regular license first, then explore for a commercial license if you need one.
What if I ignore the suspension notice and never restore my license?
Your suspension will eventually convert to a revocation, which is permanent. A revocation means you cannot drive in Florida and must wait a set period (often several years) before you can even explore for a new license. You will also face criminal charges if you are caught driving. It is far better to address the suspension while you still can.