DEALING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES
REQUIREMENTS FOR HARDSHIP LICENSES, EXTENSIONS, & REINSTATEMENTS
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Your original DUI citation (your yellow or white paper ticket) serves as a regular driver’s license
for 10 days from your date of arrest. You may apply for a Formal Review Hearing within those 10
days, which gives you the opportunity to challenge the license suspension.
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You may also choose to waive your right to a hearing, which will enable you to immediately
reinstate your license. If you choose to waive your right to a hearing, you lose the opportunity
to examine the officers under oath and use that testimony later for your criminal case. Our
office will discuss with you the best choice for your individual case.
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If you applied for a Formal Review Hearing within 10 days of your arrest, you will receive a
permit that serves as a temporary hardship license for 42 days from the day it was issued. A
hardship permit allows you to drive to work, school, and for medical purposes only.
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If you win you Formal Review Hearing, your license will be fully reinstated. If you do not win
your Formal Review Hearing, your license will be suspended for 30 days if you submitted to
chemical testing, and 90 days if you refused chemical testing. You will not be eligible for a
hardship license during this suspicion period.
IF YOU DID NOT WIN THE FORMAL REVIEW HEARING, YOU MAY APPLY FOR A HARDSHIP
PERMIT WHEN THE 30 OR 90-DAY SUSPENSION IS OVER. READ THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE
INFORMATION ON GETTING A HARDSHIP PERMIT.
I. REGISTER FOR DUI SCHOOL BEFORE YOUR HARDSHIP PERMIT HEARING
If this is your first DUI, register for DUI School Level I. If you have been previously convicted of a DUI
in any state, or have previously attended Level I, register for DUI School Level II. If you have any
questions regarding which level you need, please contact us before signing up. Registration may
take up to one hour; please allot enough time for this process.
If you did not win your initial DHSMV Formal Review Hearing, you must complete DUI School to get
your license back or get a hardship permit. This is true no matter the result of your criminal case.
Proof of your completion of DUI School is required before your license can be reinstated. Proof of
enrollment in DUI School is required to apply for a hardship permit if you have not yet been
convicted.
 Register online at http://www.nflasafety.com/dui.htm, or call (850) 877-5193.
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To take the class in Tallahassee, register for the class located at:
North Florida Safety Council
2003-B Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, Florida 32302
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Fees (fees are subject to change; please visit the website or call to confirm the fee)
- DUI School Level I is $264.00, or $278.00 if you pre-register online.
- DUI School Level II is $404.00, or $421.00 if you pre-register online
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Check the North Florida Safety Council handout in your blue folder, or visit the website to
get a list of the documents you will need while you are registering.
II. OBTAINING A HARDSHIP LICENSE DURING YOUR CRIMINAL CASE
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Complete an application for hearing and a statement of hardships (you will obtain a copy of
these forms at the Driver Improvement Office, see address below).
Submit proof of enrollment or completion of DUI School.
Pay a $60 reinstatement fee (fees are subject to change; please call (850) 617-2449 or visit
http://www.dmv.org/fl-florida/suspended-license.php#Reinstate-Your-License to confirm).
You may have to complete a vision test, writing test, and/or driving test.
At the time of application, your driver’s record will be checked. Any unpaid tickets, revocations,
suspensions, or fees must be satisfied before you will receive a hardship permit.
Your hearing will be at the Bureau of Driver Improvement
a. Location:
Neil Kirkman Building
2900 Apalachee Parkway, Suite B-141.
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
b. Appointments:
Hearings are held Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office
is closed Saturday, Sunday, and on major holidays. Walk-ins are accepted, but
we recommend that you call (850) 617-2449 to schedule an appointment
whenever possible.
III. HOW TO GET AN EXTENSION OF A HARDSHIP PERMIT AFTER YOUR CRIMINAL CASE IS OVER
If you are found guilty of DUI (if you plea or are convicted at trial), your license will be suspended in
court in addition to the original DHSMV suspension. In order to continue driving, you must renew your
hardship permit once your case is over. Do NOT drive yourself to the DHSMV.
Take the documents listed below to the Bureau of Driver Improvement (see address above). If you are
eligible, you will receive an extension for your hardship permit.
Items needed:
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A certified copy of the final disposition or plea form in your criminal case. The copy must
have the date of conviction, length of the revocation/suspension, and must be signed by
the judge. You can get this form from the clerk‘s office at the courthouse where you were
convicted. Keep in mind that it may take several days to obtain this form after your case is
over, and there is a fee for obtaining the certified copy (approximately $12).
Proof of completion of DUI School.
Fees – fees are subject to change; please call (850) 617-2449 to confirm the fee.
- $12 administrative hearing fee
- $45-75 reinstatement fee
IV. HOW TO REINSTATE YOUR LICENSE IF YOU NEVER RECEIVED A HARDSHIP LICENSE
After a conviction and after the DHSMV and court revocation periods have ended, you may take the
documents listed below to the Bureau of Driver Improvement (see address above). If you are eligible,
your license will be reinstated.
Items needed:
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Proof of completion of DUI School.
Fees (fees are subject to change; please call (850) 617-2449 to confirm the fee).
- $130 administrative fee
- $45-75 reinstatement fee
- $48-75 license fee
- Applicable taxes
You may have to complete a vision test, writing test, and/or driving test. Also, at the time of application,
your driver’s record will be checked. Any unpaid tickets, revocations, suspensions or additional fees
must be satisfied before your license will be reinstated.
V. MORE INFORMATION ON THE HARDSHIP PERMIT HEARING
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Dress in appropriate, clean, business attire.
The DHSMV does accept walk-ins, but we suggest that you make an appointment (see above).
When you arrive, you will be asked to fill out an Administrative Hearing Affidavit Form.
After you fill out the form, you will go into a room with the Hearing Officer and he or she will ask
you questions. Remember that YOU WILL BE UNDER OATH, so you must speak truthfully. The
hearing is recorded, so speak clearly and carefully.
The Hearing Officer will ask you why you need a hardship permit. When you answer, take your
time and be very specific. Tell the officer where you work, the distance from your home to your
work, and your work hours. Make sure to mention if you need to drive for grocery shopping,
medical needs, church, school, or to care for your children or other family members.
The Hearing Officer may ask you how your transportation needs have been met since your
license was suspended. Make sure to indicate if your method of coping during the period since
your arrest would pose a greater inconvenience over an extended period time such as a 6 or 12
month suspension.
The Hearing Officer may also ask you what you have learned since your arrest. Be honest, polite,
and respectful. Any sarcasm or rudeness is in appropriate and may be detrimental.
You will also be asked whether you have consumed any alcohol since your arrest. DO NOT
CONSUME ANY ALCOHOL AFTER YOUR ARREST. One condition of your release from jail is that
you abstain from alcohol until the completion of your case. Your hardship permit may be denied
if you have consumed alcohol.