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Florida is known for having strict driver’s license suspension laws. Under the Florida Statutes, if you are caught driving with a suspended license, you could spend at least sixty days in county jail. If you receive multiple offenses for this violation, you can ultimately lose your driver’s license indefinitely for at least five years. Typically, the amount of time you have your license suspended or revoked will depend on many factors, including the number of offenses you have on your record and what led to the charges. In general, Florida drivers can expect the following consequences:

  1. Second-Degree Misdemeanor: This charge applies to individuals being convicted for the first time. A second-degree misdemeanor charge is punishable by sixty days in county jail and a $500 fine.
  2. First-Degree Misdemeanor: This charge applies to individuals being convicted for a second time. A first-degree misdemeanor charge is punishable by up to one year in county jail and a $1,000 fine.
  3. Third-Degree Felony: This charge applies to individuals who have subsequent convictions. A third-degree felony charge may be punishable by up to at least five years in prison and a fine of $5,000.

Having your license suspended or revoked can negatively affect your life as having the independence to operate a vehicle is very important, especially for employment purposes. As we have previously stated, there are many reasons why a license may be suspended or revoked, but are you aware of the differences between the two? Continue reading to learn more.

 

Suspended License v Revoked license. 

Suspended License: Under Florida Statute § 322.01(36), a suspended license means that the rights of an individual to drive are temporarily frozen. A suspended license is the lesser of the two offenses. A judge can order a suspension if, for example, you have received a DUI for the first time, were caught speeding excessively fast, or have too many points on your license record from previous tickets. Although getting your license suspended is not the more prominent offense of the two, it is essential to be on top of these types of charges as they can escalate into something more significant.

 

Revoked License: When a judge orders an individual to revoke their license, the license is being taken away for good. Generally, a judge will order a revoked license if an individual has:

  • Three reckless driving convictions in the short span of one year.
  • A prostitution charge in which a vehicle was involved.
  • Felony convictions where a vehicle was used to commit the crime.
  • Hit and run convictions that resulted in the death or injury of another individual.
  • A large number of DUI’s on their record.
  • Murder or manslaughter charges caused by a driving accident at the individual’s fault facing the charges.

Consequently, your driver’s license may also be revoked if you falsify statements about ownership of a vehicle to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Rivera Law Fights to Get Your Driving Rights Back!

At Rivera Law, we understand that there are many reasons why an individual may choose to drive with a revoked license, such as work or family obligations or even emergencies where there was simply no other choice. Avoiding a hefty punishment is possible; however, it is in your best interest to leave it up to a professional aware of the laws and who knows every detail about your case. As you are now aware, the penalties continue to worsen, and the hiring of an attorney needs to be a serious consideration when dealing with the issue of driving without a license or facing a suspended and/or revoked license charge. Let us resolve your traffic ticket now! Call Rivera Law at 561-651-9322.