Arrested For DUI In Orlando? What You Need To Know About Saving Your Driver’s License

Arrested for drunk driving/drugged driving in Central Florida? Your rights and your freedom could be on the line. You need to take immediate action to protect your right to drive. After a DUI arrest in Florida, your license can be suspended on an administrative basis—well before you have actually been convicted of a crime. Here, our Orlando DUI defense attorney highlights the key steps that you should take to protect your driver’s license if you were arrested for drunk driving in Florida.

A DUI Charge Leads to an Automatic Administrative License Suspension in Florida 

In Florida, the law is clear: When a person is arrested and charged with a DUI, they will face an immediate administrative license suspension. To be clear, this license suspension is wholly separate from any criminal charges that a person may face. Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) is the state agency responsible for suspending your license at the administrative level.

You Have Ten Days to Stop the Administrative License Suspension 

Upon being arrested for a DUI, you are granted a 10-day window in which you have a temporary driving privilege. During this brief period, your DUI citation itself will effectively serve as a special purpose license. Here is one of the most important things to know about saving your driver’s license: You have the right to contest the administrative suspension by requesting a formal review hearing. You must act within 10 days to exercise this right.

Your License is Also at Risk in the Criminal DUI Case (Suspension Varies) 

Apart from the administrative consequences, there are potential repercussions in the criminal case. If you’re found guilty of DUI in a court of law, you may face additional license suspensions, which can vary in duration based on several factors. These factors include your BAC level at the time of arrest, whether you have prior DUI convictions, and if there was any property damage or injuries caused during the incident. As an example, a first-time DUI conviction can result in a suspension for up to one year. 

You May Qualify for a Special Purpose Hardship License 

Florida offers a “hardship license” for individuals who demonstrate a genuine need to drive for work, school, or other essential purposes. To apply for this license, you may need to complete a DUI program and possibly install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. An Orlando, FL DUI defense lawyer can help you navigate a hardship license. 

Speak to an Orlando DUI Defense Lawyer Today

At The Baez Law Firm, our Florida DUI defense attorney is standing by, ready to protect your rights and your interests. If you have any questions about saving your driver’s license after an arrest, we are here to help. Contact us right away to set up your completely private case review. With an office in Orlando, we defend all aspects of DUI charges in Orange County and throughout Central Florida.

Source:

flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/education-courses/dui-and-iid/florida-dui-administrative-suspension-laws/