driving

The following information is a summary of the hardship license process. Call Andrew today and he will explain how the process works given the specific facts of your case and history.

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) suspends your driver’s license upon your arrest for DUI if you blow over the legal limit (.08) or your refuse to take a breath test. However, you have only 10 days from the date of your arrest to file papers and begin the process to obtain a hardship license. This hardship license allows you to drive to and from work, necessary on the job driving, for your educational, religious, and medical reasons. Not everyone is eligible to receive this hardship license.

You are NOT eligible –

  • if you have a prior DHSMV DUI administrative suspension from Florida or another State for an unlawful breath result or for a refusal to blow; or
  • if you have a prior criminal DUI court suspension from Florida or another State; or
  • if you have a prior DHSMV administrative suspension for an unlawful underage breath alcohol result.

If you are INELIGIBLE because of any of the above reasons, you may challenge the administrative suspension during which time you will receive a 42 day temporary business purposes only driving permit.

It is imperative that you contact Andrew as soon as possible to determine if you are eligible to receive the immediate hardship license. Additionally, if you decide to challenge the suspension of your license, Andrew will represent you at the administrative hearing and advocate for you.

If you are eligible, the following is the process to obtain an immediate hardship license:

Within 10 days of your arrest, you must enroll in DUI School (pay approximately $300) and have proof of payment (copy of receipt). Click the links for the local DUI schools: www.drivesafetampa.org (Hillsborough) or www.Safety.org (Pinellas).

Within 10 days of your arrest, you must goto the Bureau of Administrative Reviews Office and complete the Waiver form.

Hillsborough County – 2814 East Hillsborough Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33610, (813) 276-5795;

Pinellas County – 4585 140th Ave North, Suite 1002, Clearwater, Florida 33762, (727) 507-4405.

You must pay a $25 hardship hearing fee at the Bureau of Administrative Reviews. Attorneys are not permitted at this hardship hearing. You will be asked why you need a hardship license (work, school, medical, and religious necessity). You may also be asked if you are arrested for a DUI in the future would you provide a breath sample (answer, yes).

If you are granted a hardship license, you will need to provide the required documentation (see www.gathergoget.com) and pay the approximate $225 in fees to re-instate your driving privileges. Your hardship license will have a business purposes only restriction for the duration of your suspension.

Call 813-877-HELP (4357) or email Andrew Shein
to schedule a FREE initial consultation.