How Much Is a Ticket For Driving On A Suspended License In Florida?

In Florida there are two types of driving with a suspended license charges.  Driving with a suspended license with knowledge of the suspension is a criminal charge.  Driving with a suspended license without knowledge of the suspension is a civil infraction.

Knowingly Driving With A Suspended License Is A Crime

If the ticket is for the criminal charge of driving with a suspended license then you cannot just pay a fine.  Since it is a criminal charge you must appear in court to answer to the charge.  There can be fines associated with a criminal driving with a suspended license charge in addition to cost of investigation, cost of prosecution and court costs.  The maximum fine for a first offense criminal driving with a suspended license is $500.  The maximum fine for a second offense criminal driving with a suspended license is $1,000.  The maximum fine for a third or subsequent offense criminal driving with a suspended license is $5,000.

5 Year Driver’s License Revocation

If you get 3 driving while license suspended convictions within a five year period the Florida Department Of Highway Safety And Motor Vehicles(DHSMV) will classify you as a habitual traffic offender and, consequently, will revoke your driving privilege for 5 years.  So basically 3 strikes in 5 years and you sit the bench for 5 years in the driving game.  You cannot even apply for a hearing for a hardship license for 1 year and just because you apply for a hardship license after 1 year does not mean DHSMV is going to give it to you.  So no driving for at least 1 year and then maybe DHSMV will allow you to drive for the next 4 years for business or employment purposes only.

A driving privilege restricted to “business purposes only” means a driving privilege that is limited to any driving necessary to maintain livelihood, including driving to and from work, necessary on-the-job driving, driving for educational purposes, and driving for church and for medical purposes.  A driving privilege restricted to “employment purposes only” means a driving privilege that is limited to driving to and from work and any necessary on-the-job driving required by an employer or occupation.

Unknowingly Driving With A Suspended License Is A Civil Infraction Not A Crime

If the ticket is for the civil infraction of driving with a suspended license, which is not a crime, then the penalty is a fine and points on your record.  Points on your driving record can lead to a license suspension in addition to increased car insurance costs.  It is important to know that a conviction for the civil infraction of driving with a suspended license still counts as a strike towards being classified as a habitual traffic offender and losing your license for 5 years.

What Should You Do If You Have Been Charged With Driving With A Suspended License

If you have been charged with driving with a suspended license please contact Chris S. Boatright, P.A. at 407-740-8300 to discuss your case.  Chris is a former driving with a suspended license prosecutor who has been defending people charged with driving with a suspended license for over 18 years.  If driving is important to you then put his knowledge and experience to work protecting your driver’s license and your record.

Driving With Suspended License Charges Can Be Beaten

Driving with a suspended license charges can be beaten in court for many reasons.  Chris has beaten them for many clients and he may be able to beat them for you.  Call 407-740-8300 for a free consultation.