Has your license been suspended? Are you worried about how you are going to get to school and/or to work? Despite having a suspended license and the stresses that come with that, Florida does give drivers a hardship license. Unlike many other states throughout the country, Florida is very forgiving to drivers that have had their license suspended. It is important to know what your options are if you ever find yourself in this situation, and what options you have until your license can be reinstated.
You can get your license suspended for a number of things such as not paying child support, not paying a traffic ticket, or not appearing when served with a summons, just to name a few of the many other circumstances. Unfortunately, these circumstances, in particular, do not make you eligible for a hardship license. Hardship licenses are usually granted when a driver has too many points on their license or for certain Driving Under the Influence (DUI) cases.
If you have had your license suspended for having too many points, the following will explain how long your suspension will last:
- If you have received 12 points within a 12 month period, your license will be suspended for 30 days.
- If you have received 18 points within an 18 month period, your license will be suspended for three months.
- If you have received 24 points within 36 months, your license will be suspended for 12 months.
After you find that you are eligible to take the Florida Advanced Driver Improvement Course (ADI Course), there are a number of steps to follow in order to obtain a hardship license:
- Register for the 12-hour Florida ADI course and get your certificate of completion
- Go to the County Clerk Office and get your 30-day driving record
- Take the ADI course certificate and driving record to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
- If you are eligible and the hearing officer approves your request, you will receive the hardship license
To acquire a hardship license, Florida requires you to take the Florida ADI Course. This course takes about 12 hours to complete and is very similar to traffic school. Not every provider offers the course, it is important to research, which providers in your area provide the class.
The class is offered in two different environments:
- A classroom course that you will need to be physically present in the class and you will follow a set schedule provided by the provider.
- An online course where you can take the class anywhere and at your pace on your computer
Now that you have been granted a hardship license, where can you drive? There are two kinds of hardship licenses. The first is for business purposes. This license allows you to:
- To and from work
- Any driving that your job requires
- Educational purposes
- To and from church
- Medical purposes
The second type is for employment purposes. This license only allows you to drive to and from work and any driving that your job requires.
At The Hoffman Firm, we have helped clients acquire a hardship license throughout South Florida. If you find yourself in need of a hardship license, it is important to have someone that will help and guide you through the process. It is essential to have someone that will be your voice and has the experience of representing South Florida residents. We are dedicated to providing you with the best help and are compassionate about your needs throughout this process.
Call us now at (305) 928-1669 or contact us online to set up your free, confidential consultation now.