There are several reasons why a Florida court may suspend your driver’s license. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety, the DHSMV may suspend your license if you have received too many traffic violation points, do not meet vision standards, have medical issues impairing your ability to safely drive, miss a court date for a traffic related offense, have not paid a traffic fine, if a court has convicted you of driving under the influence of alcohol and for other reasons as well. Additionally, three charges of enumerated offenses such as driving while license suspended, reckless driving, DUI or others in a five year period can result in a “habitual” status revoking your privilege to drive for five years. Any conviction for a drug related offense will also result in a license suspension. Additionally, in any driving related offense, a Court of State Attorney may require a license suspension or revocation as part of a sentence or plea. For various violations and depending on the severity or whether it was a second offense, mandatory traffic school will also need to be attended before your license is renewed.
The department will suspend your license for a set amount of time, and the duration for which you will be without a license depends on the severity of your transgression. If you are facing any criminal charges that could lead to a license suspension, you may benefit from speaking to a Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney.
At Leader & Leader P.A., we handle a wide range of Florida criminal cases, and we can advise you on everything from DUI and drug possession charges to driving on a suspended license. Michael D. Leader has extensive courtroom experience, and we are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week for an initial consultation. Call us today at 954-523-2020 to schedule an appointment, and read on for more information regarding license suspensions.
License Suspension in Florida
If the courts or the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles suspend your license, you must hand it over to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, according to DMV.org. If you fail to surrender your driver’s license and get caught driving while suspended, you risk extending the suspension period. In many circumstances you may be eligible for a work permit to drive for necessities of living during some or all of the suspension/revocation period. Please note, it is a crime to be in possession of a suspended or revoked license so do not keep it for identification purposes; get a identification card from the DHSMV instead.
The Florida DHSMV may also send you a suspension notification via mail, and the length of the suspension will depend on the nature of the crime you have committed. Another common question regarding Florida license suspensions pertains to the length of time you may be without your license.
Florida License Suspension Periods
One of the most common reasons the DMV will suspend your license is for points accumulation, and the suspension period for accumulating points ranges from 30 days to 12 months. If you fail to appear for a court date, pay a fine, meet other requirements (such as driving school or an interlock device) or to comply with a traffic-related summons, the DHSMV will suspend your license until you pay the outstanding amount or by court order.
If you cause a crash that kills or injures another individual, the DHSMV or court may suspend your license even if you are not charged with a crime. DUI carries many more severe penalties then just a license suspension including thousands of dollars in court costs and fines, a permanent criminal conviction and jail or prison time. Regardless of the reason for your suspension, it is critical that you do not drive your car without a valid license as the consequences for doing so can be quite severe.
At Leader & Leader P.A., we offer a free initial consultation with a Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer, and we can listen to your charges and determine how best to proceed. Call us at 954-523-2020 to schedule an appointment with a qualified criminal attorney today.
