Suspended & Revoked License

The most common reason people's licenses are suspended is because of an accumulation of points on their record.  These points generally add up because of unpaid or forgotten traffic violations.  Under Florida law, the maximum license suspensions occur at the following point thresholds:

• 30 day suspension: 12 points in any 12 month period
• Three months: 18 points in any 18 month period
• One year: 24 points in any 36 month period

For habitual traffic offenders, the suspension skyrockets to five years.

Driving While License Suspended ("DWLS" or "DWLSR")

Knowingly driving with a suspended or revoked license is a criminal offense in Florida.  The punishments are as follows:

• First offense: second degree misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment up to 60 days and a fine up to $500
• Second offense: misdemeanor of the first degree punishable by imprisonment up to one year and a fine up to $1,000
• Third or more offense: felony of the third degree punishable by imprisonment up to five years and a fine up to $5,000

Knowledge of a suspended or revoked license can be satisfied by any of the following:

• A previous citation for DWLS
• The driver admits to knowing his or her license had been suspended
• The driver received notification of the suspension, revocation, or cancellation

If you did not "knowingly" drive with a suspended or revoked license, the violation is reduced to a noncriminal moving violation traffic citation, which assesses three points to your license and comes with a fine of a minimum of $100.  An experienced attorney can often prove that you did not receive the notice and therefore did not know you were driving with a suspended license.  If you can prove you did not know your license was suspended, the charge can be reduced to the noncriminal traffic moving violation. 

Seek Experienced Legal Representation

In addition to defending drivers charged with DWLS, the Law Office of Eduardo Meire, P.A. assists clients with suspended or revoked licenses with reinstatement hearings that are often allowed by statute.  If you have had your license suspended or revoked, or if you have been arrested for driving with a suspended or revoked license, Contact us today so that we can begin working to reinstate your license.