Driving a vehicle in Florida is a privilege, not a right. Your driving privileges may be suspended at any time if you meet one of the criteria for license suspension.
There are several reasons why you might receive a suspended Florida license.
Sometimes, it is possible to have a suspended Florida license even realizing it. The best way to find out the status of your driving privileges is by checking your driving record. You can get your driving record online just by visiting the DHSMV website.
You may also request a driver record through the mail just by sending a request form to the Florida DHSMV Bureau of records at:
Bureau of Records
P.O. Box 5775
Tallahassee, Florida 32314-5775
Processing takes approximately two weeks.
First- and second-time offenses for driving on a revoked Florida license are considered misdemeanors, punishable by fines up to $500 and a jail sentence up to 60 days. Third-time offenses are considered felonies, punishable by fines up to $5000 and jail time up to five years. It should be noted that driving on a suspended license is a distinct and less severe crime than driving without a license.
If your license has been suspended as a result of too many points and you wish to get it reinstated, it is possible to do so with the assistance of a Florida Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) course.
The course is 12 hours long, but you do not have to wait until you complete the course in order to start driving again. After you complete the course, you can use the certificate of enrollment to receive a “Hardship License” from the DHSMV. A hardship license permits you to drive from work and home while you are working on the course. Full driving privileges can be restored after completion of the course.
If you choose to take a Florida DHSMV-approved ADI course online, you have the freedom to complete it at home on your schedule. This makes it much easier to complete the requirements, so you can start driving again without having to completely rearrange your life. The ADI course is six sections with a final exam at the end.