In Florida, your license can be suspended, revoked or canceled for a seemingly infinite number of reasons. Many of my past clients had no idea their license was suspended, and had been suspended for quite some time. "Suspended" means that your driver's license (and therefore privilege to drive) has been temporarily withdrawn. After the applicable period of suspension, and the fulfillment of any applicable conditions precedent, the driver can reinstate his or her privilege to drive (there is usually a reinstatement fee involved). "Revoked" means that the privilege to drive has been terminated. "Canceled" means that the person's driver's license has been declared void and is not valid. The bases upon which your license can be suspended, revoked, or canceled are set forth below.
Your license can be suspended if you: (1) make a fraudulent driver's license application; (2) allow your license to be used for a purpose that is against the law; (3) are convicted in a traffic court and the court orders that your license be suspended; (4) refuse to take a test to show if you are driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; (5) misuse a restricted license; (6) earn a certain number of points for traffic offenses on the Point System; (7) violate a traffic law and fail to pay your fine or appear in court as directed; (8) fail to pay child support; (9) fail to carry insurance on your vehicle; (10) fail to stop for a school bus; (11) Use tobacco if you are under age; (12) commit retail theft; or (13) education non-compliance (dropping out of school).
Your license must be revoked if you are found guilty of, or department records show: (1) Driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances; (2) a felony in which a motor vehicle is used; (3) not stopping to render aid when the vehicle you are driving is involved in a crash resulting in death or personal injury; (4) lying about the ownership or operation of motor vehicles; (5) three cases or reckless driving within one year (Note: failing to appear in court to avoid a reckless driving conviction counts as a conviction when the bond is estreated); (6) an immoral act in which a motor vehicle is used; (7) three major offenses for which you receive points within a five year period; (8) Drug possession; (9) vision worse than standard minimum requirements; (10) racing on a highway.
Your license can be canceled if: (1) your license was issued in error; (2) you gave false information or identification; (3) you failed to complete a required school.
In Florida, driving o<span class="_wysihtml5-temp-placeholder"></span>n a suspended license, without knowledge of the suspension, constitutes a non-criminal traffic infraction, punishable by the imposition of a fine. A first conviction for DWLSR, where the accused person has knowledge of the suspension, revocation, or cancellation, constitutes a misdemeanor of the first degree. A First degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to twelve months of probation and/or twelve months in the county jail (the total sentence cannot exceed twelve month). Like many offenses in this state, DWLSR in enhanceable, based on the number of prior convictions. The third offense for DWLSR constitutes a third degree felony, which is punishable by up to five years in state prison. For sentencing guideline purposes, a felony DWLSR offense (assuming death or great bodily harm is not a factor) is a level one which, in practical terms, means that the accused person will not score anywhere near mandatory prison time unless he or she has more serious felony offenses before the court for sentencing or a significant prior criminal history. This does not mean, however, that the court cannot impose a prison sentence. Someone with a long history of suspended license offenses may be facing prison time even where the guidelines don't require it. A person may also be charged with a felony DWLSR offense if the person drives after being designated a habitual traffic offender, or if he or she drives on a permanently revoked license.
