Suspended Driver License in Florida
Driving on a Suspended License or Revoked and Habitual Traffic Offenders

Orlando Criminal Traffic Defense Attorney represents people charged with these offenses.  Main Office Orlando practicing in Orange, Osceola, Lake, Seminole, and Brevard Counties, Florida.  Statewide representation for specific situations, call.

These offenses are taken very serious by the courts of this state.  Do not ignore these criminal citations.  There are defenses - call immediately for a free over the phone consultation.

IMPORTANT: IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED NOTICE OF A 5-YEAR SUSPENSION RECENTLY - CALL NOW!  You may still be able to avoid the suspension.  (407) 841-5555  Statewide Service in some cases.

The Florida Legislature Suspends Driving Privileges as a Form of Punishment
This Punishment can have devastating effects on Your Privilege to Drive if not addressed

The current trend in the Florida Legislature is to increase the punishment of some criminal offenses by requiring that the defendant's driving license be suspended if the defendant is found guilty.  These offenses use to be related to driving, such as DUI.  However, today this form of punishment includes non-driving offenses.

Ask yourself one question - what would you do if you could not drive a car for 6 months?  Could you still keep your job?  Could you feed your children, spouse, or self?  Maintain your household?  Maintain your home?  If caught driving on a suspended license, could you afford to post bond?  Sit in jail? Will multiple offenses be punished severely?

Did you know that the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will suspend your license for the following offenses:

(This is an incomplete list.)

PROTECT YOUR PRIVILEGE TO DRIVE

It is easy to find yourself caught up in the web of having your driving privilege suspended.  The important thing is to correct the situation immediately.  A suspended driver license is fixable.

Contact Our Office for Help

A single defense that produces one "withhold" of adjudication may be all it takes to keep a person from losing their license for 5 years.  We will discuss your situation regarding your license, liberty, and all possible defenses.  Consultations are free.  Call (407) 841-5555 to set up an appointment today or click HERE to email us.

The consultation will be more informative if you bring with you a copy of your official driving record.  This can be obtained at the Clerk of Court Office at the County Courthouse.

Read below for more information.

DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED OR REVOKED (DWLSR)
Just don't do it - AND by all means, Don't Just Pay The Ticket!!!

If you receive a ticket or are arrested for Driving While License Suspended or Revoked - hire an attorney to protect your privilege to drive.  It is important very that you are not convicted of these offenses.  If you receive 3 DWLSR tickets or misdemeanors within 5 years you will be "habitualized" and your license will be suspended for 5 years (with a 12 month hardship period. This is the consequence of being classified as a Habitual Traffic Offender - see below).  Law enforcement takes these laws very seriously. 

For More information on DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED OR REVOKED or if you want to consult with a Central Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer (Attorney Profile) please click HERE. 

Please Consider these WARNINGS

A Warning about Just Paying the Ticket

By simply paying for a DWLSR without knowledge ticket you are allowing yourself to be convicted of that infraction.  A conviction for the infraction of DWLSR (without knowledge) will be counted towards the 3 that is needed for the DMV to suspend your license.  You need to set such a ticket for a hearing and try to get it dismissed or have the conviction withheld.  We represent people for traffic tickets.  For more info, click HERE.

A Warning about DUI License Suspensions

Judges absolutely will not tolerate driving when a license has been suspended for a DUI.  The initial reaction is always to sentence the driver to a jail term.  Advice: Remain silent - say nothing to incriminate yourself.  Hire an attorney.

Business Purpose Only Driver Licenses

This is a driving privilege that is limited to any driving necessary to maintain livelihood, including driving to and from work, necessary on-the-job driving, driving for educational purposes, and driving for church and medical purposes. This type license allows people to drive only in those instances to maintain their livelihood.  See State v. Quiroli, 9 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 780b (Fla. 15th Cir. Sept. 12, 2002) and Vilches v. State, 12 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 530a (Fla. 11th Cir. Mar. 29, 2005) for good explanations of what "livelihood" means.  Many suspensions allow a driver to obtain this restricted license while their regular license is suspended.

Notice Given By Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles - Keep Your DL Address Current

Notice of the suspension of a drivers driving privilege is considered given if sent to the address appearing on the driver's license.  Update you address on your drivers license within 10 days of moving to a new address.  Not changing your address does two things; (1) prevents the DMV from contacting you, and (2) has you committing another infraction (see §322.19, Fla. Stat. (2005)).  Change your address online HERE.

ADVANCED DRIVER IMPROVEMENT (ADI) SCHOOLS

If your license has been suspended for points or HTO status you will likely have to complete and ADI school.  The below listed numbers are contacts that can assist you in finding an ADI school near you.  As a last resort you can ask your local DMV office for that information also.
 

AMERICAN SAFETY COUNCIL 1-800-771-2255	DRIVER TRAINING ASSOCIATES 1-800-937-9533
NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL 1-800-237-0676	NTSITraining.com 1-800-654-6874

Advanced Driver Improvement schools are specifically required to reinstate your drivers license for most Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles suspensions (point suspensions and HTO suspensions).  You'll need to have completed this class prior to petitioning for license reinstatement - meaning: Take the class as soon as possible.

Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO)

A "habitual traffic offender" is any person whose record, as maintained by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, shows that such person has accumulated the specified number of convictions for offenses listed below within a 5-year period:

1. Three or more convictions of any one or more of the following arising out of separate acts;

- Voluntary or involuntary manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle.
- Driving Under the Influence.
- Any felony conviction in which a vehicle was used.
- Driving a motor vehicle while his or her license is suspended or revoked.
- Failure to render aid in the event of a motor vehicle crash resulting in the death or personal injury of another.

2. Fifteen convictions for moving traffic violations for which points may be assessed.

If the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles determines that a driver is a habitual traffic offender, the driver's license shall be suspended for a period of 5 years.  Upon the completion of 12 months, the driver may petition the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for reinstatement on a restricted basis.

For more detailed information about Habitual Traffic Offender or if you want to consult with a Central Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer (Attorney Profile) please click HERE.