How a Florida Hardship License Can Solve Your Suspended License Problems
Imagine you’ve just inadvertently rolled through a stop sign at an empty residential intersection… empty except for the police squad car hiding just out of sight around the corner. He comes out of nowhere and pulls you over, writing you a ticket with the smug look of cat delivering a freshly-caught mouse to its owner’s doorstep.
Normally, you’d shrug this off. After all, it’s a pretty minor traffic offense with a relatively small fee. This time, however, you are worried because you realize that the additional three points added to your driving record from this incident will bring you up to a total of 12 points for this year. This means the DMV is going to suspend your license for 30 days. That’s no driving for a whole month. How will you get to work? How will you be able to keep paying the bills? This minor oversight has suddenly become a major ordeal and turned your whole life upside-down.
Thank Goodness for Hardship Licenses
The Florida hardship license was created for situations just like this. If a Florida driver is facing suspension of their license due to having too many points on their record, they have the option of applying for a hardship license, which will legally allow them to drive to and from work only.
To acquire a hardship license for work, you will need to enroll in the 12-hour Florida Advanced Driver Improvement Course (ADI) either in person or online. This state-approved course is required whenever too many points have accumulated on someone’s driving record or for certain major driving offenses. It shows the DMV that you are serious about improving your driving habits and willing to put in the necessary effort to maintain your driving privileges. You can apply for your hardship license once you are enrolled in the ADI. You will then have a certain timeframe within which to complete the ADI.
What About DUIs and Other Problems?
Some types of license suspensions will not be amenable to a hardship license. If the state finds you incapable of operating a motor vehicle for reasons like poor eyesight or mental instability, sorry, buddy. There’s nothing that can be done about your ability to drive until those conditions are fixed.
DUIs are very serious and usually result in a 6- to 12-month suspension of your license. However, if the court takes favorably to you, they may allow you to enroll in and complete DUI school programs, and then apply for your hardship license for the remainder of your suspension. There’s no guarantee it will go through, because the state takes DUIs very seriously, but it might be worth a shot in some cases.
Overall, Florida is one of the most forgiving states in the country when it comes to temporary license suspensions. The hardship license is their way of trying to help you keep the important parts of your life going in spite of your mistakes, so Floridians should be glad the opportunity exists.
