Suspended license in Florida: points, other causes, and how to reinstate
In Florida, the first points threshold is 12 points within 1 year: 30-day suspension. A Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course removes or prevents points, once every 12 months, and no more than eight times in a lifetime. The fee to reinstate after a suspension that is not alcohol-related is $45.
A DUI is only one of the ways a license gets suspended. Points from ordinary tickets, an unpaid ticket, a lapse in insurance, unpaid child support or a missed court date each carry their own suspension and their own path back. The rules below are the ones the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) states, each quoted from its page or from the statute.
How the points system works
Most states assign points to moving violations and suspend the license when the total inside a set window crosses a threshold. The threshold, the window and how long each violation keeps counting are all set by the state.
Florida's point system is a graduated scale that assigns relative values to convictions; points earned against the driving record can, when accumulated within set time frames, cause the license to be suspended (12 points in 12 months, 18 in 18 months, 24 in 36 months).
| Points | Within | Consequence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 points | 1 year | 30-day suspension | flhsmv.gov |
| 18 points | 18 months | Three-month suspension | leg.state.fl.us |
| 24 points | 3 years | One-year suspension | leg.state.fl.us |
Points period stated by the agency: 5 years. Points count toward a suspension only within the 12-, 18- or 36-month windows for each tier; points remain on the driver record for at least five years from the date of disposition (conviction).
“12 points within 12 months 30-day suspension 18 points within 18 months Three-month suspension 24 points within 36 months One-year suspension”
“Points are assigned based on the type of conviction and remain on the driver record for at least five years from the date of disposition (conviction).”
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| SPEEDING (unlawful speed not in excess of 15 mph over the lawful or posted speed) | 3 |
| Unlawful speed in excess of 15 miles per hour of lawful or posted speed | 4 |
| RECKLESS DRIVING | 4 |
| CRASH - Leaving scene without giving information more than $50 damage | 6 |
| Fail to obey traffic control signal (Failed to stop at traffic signal/red light) | 4 |
| CARELESS DRIVING | 3 |
Check points or the driving record: mydmvportal.flhsmv.gov
The statute: Fla. Stat. § 322.27(3)
“There is established a point system for evaluation of convictions of violations of motor vehicle laws or ordinances, and violations of applicable provisions of s. 403.413(6)(b) when such violations involve the use of motor vehicles, for the determination of the continuing qualification of any”
Traffic school and point reduction
| Course | Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) course |
|---|---|
| Effect | Removes or prevents points |
| How often | once every 12 months, and no more than eight times in a lifetime |
A driver who receives a non-criminal moving violation and does not hold a commercial driver license may elect, within 30 days of the citation, to attend an FLHSMV-approved basic driver improvement course; under Fla. Stat. § 318.14(9) adjudication is withheld, the civil penalty is reduced by 18 percent and no points are assessed. The election is not available for speeding 30 mph or more over the limit and certain other listed violations. Points for out-of-state citations cannot be removed by any school.
“In such a case, adjudication must be withheld, any civil penalty that is imposed by s. 318.18(3) must be reduced by 18 percent, and points, as provided by s. 322.27, may not be assessed. However, a person may not make an election under this subsection if the person has made an election under this”
Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one
These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.
| Cause | What the agency states | To reinstate | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point Suspensions | Accumulating 12 points within 12 months (30-day suspension), 18 points within 18 months (three-month suspension) or 24 points within 36 months (one-year suspension). | After the suspension period expires: proof of enrollment in an Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) school and payment of the reinstatement fee plus other applicable license fees at a driver license service center. | $45 |
| Failure to Pay a Fine | The license is suspended indefinitely if the driver fails to pay a traffic fine. It ends when the traffic court in the county where the citation was issued reports that the citation requirements have been satisfied. | Satisfy the citation with the traffic court; once the county reports the clearance electronically, present the reinstatement fee, if applicable, at any Florida driver license service center. | $45 |
| Failure to Comply with or Appear at a Traffic Summons | Indefinite suspension for failing to comply with or appear at a traffic summons; cleared when the traffic court reports that its requirements have been met. | Satisfy the court requirements in the county that issued the summons; after the electronic clearance, present the reinstatement fee, if applicable, at a driver license service center. Traffic citation and court suspensions are not eligible for a hardship license. | $45 |
| Failure to Complete Driver Improvement School | Indefinite suspension if the driver fails to complete a court-ordered driver improvement school, or elected school for a citation but did not or was not eligible to attend. | Satisfy the court requirements; after the county's electronic clearance, present the reinstatement fee, if applicable, at a driver license service center. | $45 |
| Child Support Delinquency | Delinquency in child support can result in an indefinite suspension, ordered either by the Department of Revenue or by a court; it ends when the child support requirements have been met and the clearance is reported. | Department of Revenue clearance reported electronically, or a court affidavit showing compliance presented within 30 days, plus a reinstatement fee for each suspension. Child support suspensions are not eligible for a hardship license. | $45 (Department of Revenue suspension) or $60 (court-ordered |
| Financial Responsibility (insurance) suspension | Failure to maintain the required PIP and PDL insurance throughout the registration period can result in suspension of the driver license and license plate for up to three years, with a reinstatement fee of up to $500. | Reinstatement fee of up to $500; no temporary or hardship license is available for insurance-related suspensions. | up to $500 |
| Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) | A person who accumulates fifteen moving violations with points in five years, or three major violations in five years, is revoked for five years; a hardship license may be applied for after one year. | After the revocation period, proof of Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) school enrollment and payment of the reinstatement fee plus other applicable license fees. | $75 |
| Chapter 893 – Drug Related Offense | Suspension for at least one year on conviction of possession or sale of, trafficking in, or conspiracy to possess, sell or traffic a controlled substance; a hardship license may be applied for after six months. | After the period ends, payment of the reinstatement fee and other applicable license fees; for an early hardship license, proof of Licensed DUI Program completion. | — |
Source quotes for each cause
Point Suspensions
“If the suspension period has expired, the driver may apply for a full reinstatement of the driving privilege by submitting proof of an Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) school enrollment and paying a reinstatement fee”
Failure to Pay a Fine
“A driver license will be suspended indefinitely if the driver fails to pay a traffic fine. To clear the suspension, contact the traffic court in the county where the traffic citation was issued and satisfy the citation requirements”
Failure to Comply with or Appear at a Traffic Summons
“A driver license will be suspended indefinitely if the driver fails to comply with or appear at a traffic summons. To clear the suspension, contact the traffic court in the county where the traffic summons was issued and satisfy the court requirements.”
Failure to Complete Driver Improvement School
“A driver license will be suspended indefinitely if the driver fails to complete a court-ordered driver improvement school, or if a school election was made for a citation but the driver did not or was not eligible to attend.”
Child Support Delinquency
“Delinquency in child support can result in an indefinite suspension of driving privilege. If the suspension was ordered by the Department of Revenue, the driver will need to call 850-488-5437 or visit the Department of Revenue’s website”
Financial Responsibility (insurance) suspension
“Failure to maintain required insurance coverage in Florida may result in the suspension of your driver license/registration and a requirement to pay a reinstatement fee of up to $500.”
Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO)
“A Habitual Traffic Offender is a person who has accumulated fifteen moving violations in which points were assessed in five years, or three major violations in five years.”
Chapter 893 – Drug Related Offense
“A driver license will be suspended for at least one year for a conviction of possession or sale of, trafficking in, or conspiracy to possess, sell or traffic a controlled substance.”
Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension
Reinstatement fee: $45. $45 following a suspension and $75 following a revocation under Fla. Stat. § 322.21(8), in addition to the license fee. The FLHSMV fee schedule also lists a $60 D-6 (court) suspension fee, $60 for a court-ordered child support suspension, $45 for a Department of Revenue child support suspension and $55 for a worthless-check suspension; insurance suspensions carry a fee of up to $500.
“A person who applies for reinstatement following the suspension or revocation of the person’s driver license must pay a service fee of $45 following a suspension, and $75 following a revocation, which is in addition to the fee for a license.”
Check the suspension and clearance status
The Online Driver License Check shows the suspending citation or court information and whether a clearance has been posted.
“You may obtain the suspending citation information online or check the status of your clearance by using our Online Driver License Check .”
Satisfy the court or agency requirement
For citation and court suspensions, contact the traffic court in the county that issued the citation or summons and satisfy its requirements; the county then reports the clearance to FLHSMV electronically.
“Once the court requirements have been met, the county will update the department electronically with the clearance information. You may then present a reinstatement fee , if applicable, to any Florida driver license service center .”
Complete or enroll in the required course (points suspensions)
For a point suspension, proof of Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) school enrollment is required for full reinstatement after the period expires; proof of completion is required for a hardship license.
“the driver may apply for a full reinstatement of the driving privilege by submitting proof of an Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) school enrollment and paying a reinstatement fee , along with other applicable license fees, to any Florida driver license service center .”
Pay the reinstatement fee at a service center
The reinstatement fee, plus any other applicable license fees, is paid at any Florida driver license service center; out-of-state residents may mail proof and the fee to the Bureau of Motorist Compliance, allowing ten business days for processing.
“Out-of-state residents may send the proof of school enrollment and reinstatement fee to: The Bureau of Motorist Compliance P.O. Box 5775 Tallahassee, Florida 32314-5775”
Official page: flhsmv.gov
After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in Florida.
Driving during a non-DUI suspension
Available in some cases · Hardship license (business or employment purposes). For a point suspension, a driver may apply through the local Administrative Reviews Office; the driver must submit proof of Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) school completion and pay the reinstatement fee, and the license restricts driving to employment or business purposes. Traffic citation or court suspensions, child support suspensions and insurance-related suspensions are not eligible for a hardship license.
“A driver may apply for a hardship license through their local Administrative Reviews Office . To obtain a hardship license, the driver must submit proof of an Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) school completion and pay a reinstatement fee”
For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in Florida.
Questions about a suspended license in Florida
- How many points suspend a Florida license?
- Under Fla. Stat. § 322.27(3), 12 points within 12 months brings a suspension of up to 30 days, 18 points within 18 months up to 3 months, and 24 points within 36 months up to 1 year. FLHSMV's Points & Point Suspensions page states points remain on the driver record for at least five years from the date of conviction.
- Does a driver improvement course remove points in Florida?
- Under Fla. Stat. § 318.14(9), a non-CDL driver cited for an eligible non-criminal moving violation may elect a basic driver improvement course in lieu of a court appearance; adjudication is withheld, the fine is reduced 18 percent and no points are assessed. The election is limited to once in 12 months and eight times in a lifetime. FLHSMV states no school can remove points for an out-of-state citation.
- What does Florida charge to reinstate a suspended license?
- Fla. Stat. § 322.21(8) sets a service fee of $45 following a suspension and $75 following a revocation, in addition to the license fee. FLHSMV's fee schedule adds $60 for a D-6 (court) suspension, $60 for a court-ordered child support suspension and $55 for a worthless-check suspension; insurance-related suspensions carry a reinstatement fee of up to $500.
- Can a driver get a hardship license during a Florida points suspension?
- FLHSMV's Points & Point Suspensions page states a driver may apply for a hardship license through the local Administrative Reviews Office by submitting proof of Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) school completion and paying the reinstatement fee; the license is limited to employment or business purposes. FLHSMV states traffic citation, court and child support suspensions are not eligible for a hardship license.
- What is a Habitual Traffic Offender in Florida?
- FLHSMV's Other Common Suspensions and Revocations page defines a Habitual Traffic Offender as a person who accumulated fifteen moving violations with points in five years, or three major violations in five years. The license is revoked for five years; after one year the driver may apply for a hardship license with proof of ADI school completion.
Sources
- FLHSMV — Driver License Suspensions and Revocations (overview)
- FLHSMV — Points & Point Suspensions
- FLHSMV — Traffic Citations or Court Suspensions
- FLHSMV — Other Common Suspensions and Revocations
- FLHSMV — Insurance requirements and penalties (financial responsibility suspension)
- FLHSMV — Driver Improvement Schools (Basic Driver Improvement course)
- FLHSMV — Fees (reinstatement fee schedule)
- FLHSMV — Appendix C, Uniform Traffic Citation point schedule (PDF)
- FLHSMV — MyDMV Portal Online Driver License Check
- Fla. Stat. § 322.27 — Authority of department to suspend or revoke (point system)
- Fla. Stat. § 318.14 — Noncriminal traffic infractions; election of basic driver improvement course
- Fla. Stat. § 322.21 — License fees; reinstatement service fees
Cite this page
Every state page quotes the statute or agency page each value comes from; when citing this page, include the verification date shown above.
WheelsBack. "Florida license suspension, points and reinstatement rules." Verified against primary sources August 29, 2026; sources re-checked September 4, 2026. https://wheelsback.com/florida/suspended-license/