A suspended license makes everyday life incredibly hard — getting to work, buying groceries, or dropping off kids becomes a nightmare. Our experienced traffic lawyers can help clear your suspension and get your driving privileges restored quickly.
Common Reasons For a Suspended License
Your ability to drive can be taken away for many reasons — sometimes without you even knowing it! We can help you figure out why and take steps to get your license back (often called D6 clearance).
- Too Many Points:
- Getting too many points from speeding or other traffic violations is the most common cause of suspension. Florida law mandates a suspension if you accumulate 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 18 months, or 24 points in 36 months. Our goal is to address the underlying tickets to prevent future points and seek a Hardship License for you if you are already suspended.
- Unpaid Tickets/Fines:
- Not paying an old traffic ticket or court fines will quickly trigger a license suspension. The court will notify the DMV, and your license is indefinitely suspended until you satisfy that debt, often involving hefty late fees on top of the original fine. We can help you navigate the process of clearance and get the suspension lifted.
- Missed Court Date:
- Failing to show up in court when required—even for a minor traffic infraction—results in the immediate suspension of your license, called a “Failure to Appear” suspension. This is a serious problem that requires a lawyer to address the original case and clear the suspension notice with the DMV.
- No Insurance:
- Being caught driving without the required car insurance (or allowing your insurance to lapse) often results in an automatic suspension. Florida law mandates that all drivers carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), and proof of coverage is required to reinstate your license after a lapse or accident.
- Other Financial Issues:
- Your license can also be suspended for non-traffic-related reasons, such as failing to pay court-ordered money like child support. While we focus on traffic law, we can help you understand the next steps needed to satisfy the court’s demands and file the necessary paperwork to regain your driving privileges (often called D6 clearance).
Caught Driving on a Suspended License?
Getting caught driving with a suspended license (DWLS/R) in Florida is a very serious problem—it is usually charged as a criminal misdemeanor, not just a traffic ticket. If the police believe you knowingly drove with a suspended license, you can face criminal charges that can lead to:
- Jail Time
- A criminal conviction can result in up to a year in county jail, depending on your prior offenses.
- Big fines
- You will face expensive court costs and heavy criminal fines.
- Points on your driving record
- The court will add points to your record, which could prolong your existing suspension or trigger new, longer ones.
- A lasting criminal record
- A conviction for DWLS/R stays on your permanent criminal record, impacting background checks for jobs and housing.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of people in Florida are charged with this offense. At 305 Ticket Defense, our experienced lawyers focus on defending drivers facing this serious charge by challenging the State’s ability to prove you had knowledge of the suspension. We work to protect your future by striving to get the charge reduced to a non-criminal traffic infraction or dismissed entirely.
