License Suspended: What to Do Now?
About 2.59% of drivers in the United States reported having a suspended license. Traffic offenses, medical conditions, child support violations, and certain criminal offenses may be the cause of your suspension.
Having your license suspended can take a toll on your life. You can no longer drive your car to work or when running errands, forcing you to opt for alternative means of transportation.
Luckily, you can get your driver’s license reinstated. Once you lose your license, there are steps you can take to get your driving privileges back. Below is a guide that can help you learn more about a DMV suspended license and what you can do to reclaim your license.
Reasons Why Your License May Be Suspended
According to the DMV, you can have a suspended license in Florida for an array of reasons. Some of the most common ones include:
- Aren’t paying child support
- Fail to maintain proper insurance coverage
- Fail to pay vehicle fines
- Have accrued a lot of points due to traffic violations
- Fail to comply or appear in court for traffic summons
- Own a fraudulent driver’s license
- Have a traffic violation that results in serious injury or the death of another person
- Show inability to operate a vehicle
- Have a conviction for criminal offenses such as drug-related offenses
- Failure to pay motor vehicle fines
- Have medical conditions like epilepsy, certain eye diseases, multiple sclerosis, or schizophrenia
How to Find Out If Your License Is Suspended
Depending on the circumstances, you may not realize that your license was suspended. Here is how you can confirm:
Check Your Mail
In most cases, the department of transportation or the state DMV may send a suspension notice to you through the mail. Ensure the DMV has your current address so their mail can reach you. Also, open each letter to confirm the suspension.
Sometimes the letters may include a hearing request form. If you want to argue against the suspension, you can enlist the help of a license suspended attorney to help you fill out the form so you can return it.
Contact the DMV and Your Insurance Company
You can contact a DMV representative to ask about the state of your license. Additionally, you can check the DMV website to confirm the status. All you have to do is enter your Social Security number, driver’s license number, or other information to find out if you have a suspended license.
Don’t forget to check with your insurance company to see if they have been notified about your suspended drivers’ license.
Keep Track of Your License Points
Most states like Florida have a point system that allocates a certain number of points to track traffic violations. In case you accumulate the maximum number of allowed points, your license will be suspended. You can determine if you have a suspended license by monitoring your traffic violations.
What to Do To Get Your License Reinstated
If your license has been suspended, you can get it back. Here are steps you can take to ensure you’re back on the road legally.
Step 1: Wait Out the Suspension
Reinstatement only happens after your suspension period is complete. In case you want to drive before the suspension period is over, you may need to apply for a hardship license. Remember that if you’ve been ordered to turn in your driver’s license, your official suspension period won’t start until you comply.
Step 2: Complete the Conditions Related to the Charge
Aside from license suspension, there are other penalties that may come with your charges. You must complete these penalties before you get your license back. Some of the conditions you have to meet before reinstatement include:
- Jail sentence
- Paying fines
- Probationary period
- DMV-approved traffic school
- Court-ordered community service
Step 3: Take an Approved Program
If your license was suspended due to reckless driving or DUI, you will need to show that you are making an effort to turn your life around. You can do this by going to rehab, enrolling in a treatment program for drug or alcohol addiction, or taking a safe driver course.
Ensure you obtain proof of the programs you’ve completed. It can help you get your license back faster.
Step 4: Contact a License Suspended Attorney
You can consult a lawyer to guide you through the license reinstatement process. They can help you evaluate your driving record and help you in collecting and completing the required paperwork. If your license suspension was due to a DUI, you can search for a “DUI lawyer near me” to help you tackle the issue with confidence.
Step 5: Apply to Reinstate Your License
Once the suspension period is over and you’ve fulfilled the necessary conditions, you can start the application process. You can find the form on your DMV’s official website.
Step 6: Pay the Fees
Once you’re done with the application, you will have to pay the reinstatement fees. The cost will depend on the state you live in, what caused your license suspension, and whether it’s your first offense.
Step 7: Get FR-44/SR-22 Insurance
If you have a suspended license in Florida, your state may require you to get an FR-44.12 form. It’s also known as a certificate of financial responsibility or an SR-22 form in some states. This form shows that you meet the state’s auto liability requirements.
You need the form as well as your proof of insurance for your license reinstatement. But beware that not all insurance companies offer FR-44 forms. In case your current car insurance company doesn’t issue them, you’ll have to buy one from another insurer.
Step 8: Be Patient While Waiting for Your License Reinstatement
Be patient as you wait to get your license back. Don’t drive your car, as the penalties of driving with a suspended license can be severe. You can get behind the wheel only after you receive a notification from the DMV that states your license is valid.
Find a Qualified License Suspended Lawyer in Florida
Reinstating your driving license can be nerve-wracking. This is why you need a professional license suspended by your side to ensure you’re back on the road as soon as possible.
For more legal advice, check our Traffic Law blog category.