When your license is suspended for DUI, there are several things you must do in order to be able to get your driver’s license back.
Applying Before Your Suspension Period is Up
You can apply for a hardship license in any Administrative Reviews Office where you live before your suspension period is over. The amount of time you need to wait before applying for the hardship license depends on the DUI charge.
No matter what the charge is, you will have to show that DUI School is completed. Any treatment, if referred, is required. But it does not have to be completed before applying for the license. If you do not complete the treatment they will take the license away.
Applying After the Suspension Period is Up
If you wait to reinstate your license until your revocation period ends, proof of enrollment or completion of DUI School and treatment, if referred, is required. Failure to complete the course within 90 days after reinstatement will result in cancellation of your driver license by the department until the course is completed. Failure to complete treatment may result in cancellation of your driver license.
According to the Official Website of the Florida DMV:
At the time of reinstatement, whether for a hardship license or a full license, you must take the required examination, and pay an Administrative fee and revocation reinstatement fee and any license fee required. This is expensive. The Administrative fee is about $130. The revocation fee is about $75 and the license fee is between $48 and $75 depending on the license. A full schedule of fees is available at: http://www.flhsmv.gov/DHSMVFees.htm
There are also additional insurance requirements. For a DUI conviction on or prior to October 1, 2007, you must provide proof of bodily injury liability insurance in the amount of 10,000 per person and $20,000 per occurrence and $10,000 property damage liability on the arrest date or proof of bodily injury liability coverage and a $15 reinstatement fee will be required. Any DUI conviction after October 1, 2007, must provide proof of bodily injury liability insurance in the amount of 100,000 per person, 300,000 per occurrence and 50,000 property damage liability on the arrest date or proof of liability coverage and a reinstatement fee of $150 up to $500, for subsequent violations will be required.
If you have been ordered to install an ignition interlock device, you will need to do that in order to reinstate your license.
