Can I Get a Hardship License if I’m Caught Driving on a Suspended License?

By Jonathan Blecher on August 27, 2015

If you were recently arrested for DUI in Miami, the thought of a suspended license is probably overwhelming, especially if you have a family or your work is miles from home. Many people who are convicted of DUI and have their license suspended find
themselves in quite the predicament.

When a person is convicted of DUI and decides to drive even though their license is suspended, they face the possibility of getting caught. No matter how tempting it may be, driving on a suspended license after a DUI is not recommended.

What if you do climb behind the wheel and you haven’t applied for  your hardship license yet? What are the consequences if you’re pulled over by the police? Can you still ask for that hardship license?

If you’re like most people, you need a hardship license so you can drive to and from work during the license suspension period, and you can’t afford to spoil your chances of getting one.

Arrests for Driving While License Suspended

As a Miami DUI attorney, I regularly attend hardship hearings on behalf of my clients. First, you need to be mindful of your actions from here on out; at this point you have “two strikes” towards becoming what is known as a habitual offender.

Whatever you do, DO NOT DRIVE until you’ve obtained a valid hardship license or your driving privileges have been fully restored.

If you were arrested for DWLS (Sec. 322.34 of the Florida Statutes), once you are eligible for your license, your license will likely be suspended for several months; this is typical for a person who is arrested for DWLS right after they are arrested for DUI.

Can being arrested for driving on a suspended license bar you from getting a hardship license? Yes it can; your vehicle can also be seized if you are caught driving on a suspended license stemming from a DUI conviction.

Your best chance at this point is to reach out to my firm so I can schedule a hearing with the DMV to question whether there was probable cause for the DUI arrest. If successful, your full driving privileges may be restored.

At the very least, you need a good DUI attorney to help you avoid or minimize jail time exposure.

I hope this helps, for more in-depth advice, contact my firm for a free consultation.