Driver license the official handbook

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©2017 Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Violation (some examples)
Points
Leaving the scene of a crash resulting in property damage of more than $50
6
Texting while Driving
3
Texting occurred in a school zone (points added to the primary offense)
+2*
Texting resulted in a crash
+6*
Violation of traffic control signal/sign/ device
4
Passing a stopped school bus 
4
Reckless Driving 
4
Driving during restricted hours
3
*points added to primary offense. 
Length of Suspension:
  • 12 points within a 12-month period—30 days
  • 18 points within a 18-month period—3 months
  • 24 points within a 36-month period—1 year
  • The fine for exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 mph is $1,000 
for the first offense and $2,500 for the second.
  • Fines are doubled when infractions occur within a school zone or 
construction zone, with possible civil penalties up to $1,000 and you 
can be required to complete driving school course.
  • The driver receives the same number of points listed if the conviction 
occurs out-of-state or in a federal court.
Mandatory Restriction for Minors
Any driver under the age of 18 who accumulates 6 or more points within 
a 12 month period is automatically restricted for one year to driving for 
“Business Purposes ONLY.” If additional points are accumulated, the 
restriction is extended for 90 days for every additional point received.
Losing the Privilege to Drive
Every driver who obtains a license must drive safely to keep it. If you break 
laws or become an unsafe driver your license can be suspended, revoked, or 
canceled. The following table includes some—but not all—of the reasons 
one can lose the privilege to drive. 
Resolve your traffic citations in a timely manner so that you do not lose 
your driving privilege. During 2014, over 30,000 sanctions (penalties) were 
issued to Florida teen drivers for failure to pay traffic fine or failure to appear in 
court. (Source: DHSMV).    

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The Official Florida Driver License Handbook—rev. 051417
  
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......................................................................................................................YOUR DRIVING PRIVILEGE
Your license will be SUSPENDED (temporary withdrawal of driving privilege) if you:
Make a fraudulent driver license application.
Allow your license to be used for a purpose that is against the law.
Are convicted in a traffic court and the court orders that your license be suspended.
Refuse to take a test to show if you are driving while under the influence of alcohol or 
drugs.
Misuse a restricted license.
Earn a certain number of points for traffic offenses on the point system.
Break a traffic law and fail to pay your fine or appear in court as directed.
Fail to pay child support.
Fail to carry insurance on your vehicle.
Fail to stop for a school bus.
Use tobacco if you are under age.
Commit retail theft.
Are non-compliant with education requirements (school dropout).
Your license must be REVOKED (termination of driving privilege) if you are 
found guilty of (or department records show):
Driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other controlled substances.
A felony in which a motor vehicle is used.
Not stopping to give help when the vehicle you are driving is involved in a crash 
causing death or personal injury.
Lying about the ownership or operation of motor vehicles.
Three cases of reckless driving within one year.
An immoral act in which a motor vehicle was used.
Three major offenses or 15 offenses for which you receive points within a 5-year 
period.
A felony for drug possession.
Your vision is worse than the standard minimum requirements.
Racing on the highway. A court may also order that your license be revoked for 
certain other traffic offenses.
*Note: Forfeiting bail and not going to court to avoid being convicted of reckless 
  driving counts the same as a conviction.
Your license can be CANCELED (void and terminated) if:
Your license was issued in error.
You give false information or identification.
You fail to complete a required school. 

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©2017 Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Administrative Hearings
If your driving privilege is suspended or revoked you may be eligible to 
apply for a hardship license or reinstatement. For eligibility information, 
contact the local Bureau of Administrative Reviews office, driver license 
office, tax collector licensing agent, or the Customer Service Center.
If you are administratively suspended for a breath or blood alcohol level of 
.08 or above or refuse to submit to a breath, urine, or blood test and wish 
to appeal this suspension, you must apply for a formal or informal review 
hearing at the appropriate Bureau of Administrative Reviews office within 
10 days of your date of arrest.
A first time DUI offender who has never had prior DUI related offenses, 
may be eligible to request a review of eligibility for a restricted driver license. 
By accepting a restricted driver license, the driver agrees to waive the right 
to a review of the suspension. To elect this option, the driver must appear at 
a Bureau of Administrative Review office (BAR) within 10 days of the DUI 
arrest, and request the waiver review option and pay a non-refundable fee.

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