Florida's driving laws prohibit the operation of a car, motorcycle, or any motor vehicle without a valid driver's license. The offenses range from civil citations for unknowingly driving with a suspended license, to felony arrests related to Habitual Traffic Offender, Felony Driving While License Suspended, and Driving on a Permanently Revoked License.

Typically proving a driver's license charge is not difficult for the State. Therefore, the real service that our criminal lawyers offer is the final disposition in the case. Often, with corrective actions taken to get a license and proper mitigation arguments to the prosecution, most clients avoid any additional jail time.

We also are able to take actions to set aside previous suspended driver's license charges in order to make our client eligible to get a valid driver's license. Many clients get into a vicious circle of being unable to drive because of prior suspensions but need to driver in order to keep employment to be able to drive, get a good driver's license, or simply survive.

There is a process in Jacksonville and some of the surrounding counties to have previous Florida driver's license suspended convictions overturned, vacated, or otherwise changed to allow a client to be able to get a driver's license. It is an administrative procedure and can only be done by hiring an attorney to petition the court for the relief.

Illustrative Case-- Our client was a single mother who had three children. She had received three driving while license suspended tickets from the same officer! She had to go to work to keep her apartment, car, and feed her family. She hired our firm to overturn two of her prior convictions and she was able to get a good driver's license!

This is one of numerous clients who we have helped. If the suspension is not for a DUI or child support suspension, courts tend to be lenient towards those who petition the courts for relief. If you are facing a Jacksonville or anywhere in Florida driver's license arrest or need help in getting your license back due to driver's license suspensions, call our attorneys. Our criminal defense lawyers have handled literally thousands of driver's license cases. Put that experience to work for you, call Arnold Law Firm, LLC!

FLORIDA'S DRIVER'S LICENSE LAWS

322.32 Unlawful use of license.

It is a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, for any person:

(1) To display, cause or permit to be displayed, or have in his or her possession any canceled, revoked, suspended, or disqualified driver's license knowing that such license has been canceled, revoked, suspended, or disqualified.

(a) The element of knowledge is satisfied if:

1. The person has been cited as provided in s. 322.34(1), and any cancellation, revocation, or suspension in effect at that time remains in effect; or

2. The person admits to knowledge of the cancellation, suspension, or revocation; or

3. The person received notice as provided in paragraph (c).

(b) In any proceeding for a violation of this section, a court may consider evidence, other than that specified in paragraph (a), that a person knowingly possessed a canceled, suspended, or revoked driver's license.

(c) Any judgment or order rendered by a court or adjudicatory body or any uniform traffic citation that cancels, suspends, or revokes a person's driver's license must contain a provision notifying the person that his or her driver's license or driving privilege has been canceled, suspended, or revoked.

(2) To lend his or her driver's license to any other person or knowingly permit the use thereof by another.

(3) To display, or represent as his or her own, any driver's license not issued to him or her.

(4) To fail or refuse to surrender to the department or to any law enforcement officer, upon lawful demand, any driver's license in his or her possession that has been suspended, revoked, disqualified, or canceled.

(5) To permit any unlawful use of a driver's license issued to him or her.

(6) To apply for, obtain, or cause to be issued to him or her two or more photographic driver's licenses which are in different names. The issuance of such licenses shall be prima facie evidence that the licensee has violated the provisions of this section unless the issuance was in compliance with the requirements of this chapter.

(7) To do any act forbidden, or fail to perform any act required, by this chapter.

History.--s. 44, ch. 19551, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8135(59); s. 44, ch. 20451, 1941; s. 213, ch. 71-136; s. 25, ch. 78-394; s. 2, ch. 84-91; s. 24, ch. 89-282; s. 419, ch. 95-148; s. 3, ch. 97-206; s. 39, ch. 97-300. 

322.33 Making false affidavit perjury.

Any person who makes any false affidavit, or knowingly swears or affirms falsely to any matter or thing required by the terms of this chapter, shall be guilty of perjury and upon conviction shall be punished accordingly.

History.--s. 45, ch. 19551, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 7476(9); s. 45, ch. 20451, 1941.

322.331 Habitual traffic offenders; restoration of license.

At the expiration of 5 years from the date of license revocation, a person whose license has been revoked under s. 322.27(5) may petition the department for restoration of driving privileges. Upon such petition and after investigation of the person's qualification and fitness to drive, the department shall hold an administrative hearing to determine whether driving privileges shall be restored either on an unrestricted basis or on a restricted basis solely for business or employment purposes.

History.--s. 6, ch. 72-175.

322.34 Driving while license suspended, revoked, canceled, or disqualified.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), any person whose driver's license or driving privilege has been canceled, suspended, or revoked, except a "habitual traffic offender" as defined in s. 322.264, who drives a vehicle upon the highways of this state while such license or privilege is canceled, suspended, or revoked is guilty of a moving violation, punishable as provided in chapter 318.

(2) Any person whose driver's license or driving privilege has been canceled, suspended, or revoked as provided by law, except persons defined in s. 322.264, who, knowing of such cancellation, suspension, or revocation, drives any motor vehicle upon the highways of this state while such license or privilege is canceled, suspended, or revoked, upon:

(a) A first conviction is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(b) A second conviction is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(c) A third or subsequent conviction is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

The element of knowledge is satisfied if the person has been previously cited as provided in subsection (1); or the person admits to knowledge of the cancellation, suspension, or revocation; or the person received notice as provided in subsection (4). There shall be a rebuttable presumption that the knowledge requirement is satisfied if a judgment or order as provided in subsection (4) appears in the department's records for any case except for one involving a suspension by the department for failure to pay a traffic fine or for a financial responsibility violation.

(3) In any proceeding for a violation of this section, a court may consider evidence, other than that specified in subsection (2), that the person knowingly violated this section.

(4) Any judgment or order rendered by a court or adjudicatory body or any uniform traffic citation that cancels, suspends, or revokes a person's driver's license must contain a provision notifying the person that his or her driver's license has been canceled, suspended, or revoked.

(5) Any person whose driver's license has been revoked pursuant to s. 322.264 (habitual offender) and who drives any motor vehicle upon the highways of this state while such license is revoked is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(6) Any person who operates a motor vehicle:

(a) Without having a driver's license as required under s. 322.03; or

(b) While his or her driver's license or driving privilege is canceled, suspended, or revoked pursuant to s. 316.655, s. 322.26(8), s. 322.27(2), or s. 322.28(2) or (4), and who by careless or negligent operation of the motor vehicle causes the death of or serious bodily injury to another human being is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(7) Any person whose driver's license or driving privilege has been canceled, suspended, revoked, or disqualified and who drives a commercial motor vehicle on the highways of this state while such license or privilege is canceled, suspended, revoked, or disqualified, upon:

(a) A first conviction is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(b) A second or subsequent conviction is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(8)(a) Upon the arrest of a person for the offense of driving while the person's driver's license or driving privilege is suspended or revoked, the arresting officer shall determine:

1. Whether the person's driver's license is suspended or revoked.

2. Whether the person's driver's license has remained suspended or revoked since a conviction for the offense of driving with a suspended or revoked license.

3. Whether the suspension or revocation was made under s. 316.646 or s. 627.733, relating to failure to maintain required security, or under s. 322.264, relating to habitual traffic offenders.

4. Whether the driver is the registered owner or coowner of the vehicle.

(b) If the arresting officer finds in the affirmative as to all of the criteria in paragraph (a), the officer shall immediately impound or immobilize the vehicle.

(c) Within 7 business days after the date the arresting agency impounds or immobilizes the vehicle, either the arresting agency or the towing service, whichever is in possession of the vehicle, shall send notice by certified mail to any coregistered owners of the vehicle other than the person arrested and to each person of record claiming a lien against the vehicle. All costs and fees for the impoundment or immobilization, including the cost of notification, must be paid by the owner of the vehicle or, if the vehicle is leased, by the person leasing the vehicle.

(d) Either the arresting agency or the towing service, whichever is in possession of the vehicle, shall determine whether any vehicle impounded or immobilized under this section has been leased or rented or if there are any persons of record with a lien upon the vehicle. Either the arresting agency or the towing service, whichever is in possession of the vehicle, shall notify by express courier service with receipt or certified mail within 7 business days after the date of the immobilization or impoundment of the vehicle, the registered owner and all persons having a recorded lien against the vehicle that the vehicle has been impounded or immobilized. A lessor, rental car company, or lienholder may then obtain the vehicle, upon payment of any lawful towing or storage charges. If the vehicle is a rental vehicle subject to a written contract, the charges may be separately charged to the renter, in addition to the rental rate, along with other separate fees, charges, and recoupments disclosed on the rental agreement. If the storage facility fails to provide timely notice to a lessor, rental car company, or lienholder as required by this paragraph, the storage facility shall be responsible for payment of any towing or storage charges necessary to release the vehicle to a lessor, rental car company, or lienholder that accrue after the notice period, which charges may then be assessed against the driver of the vehicle if the vehicle was lawfully impounded or immobilized.

(e) Except as provided in paragraph (d), the vehicle shall remain impounded or immobilized for any period imposed by the court until:

1. The owner presents proof of insurance to the arresting agency; or

2. The owner presents proof of sale of the vehicle to the arresting agency and the buyer presents proof of insurance to the arresting agency.

If proof is not presented within 35 days after the impoundment or immobilization, a lien shall be placed upon such vehicle pursuant to s. 713.78.

(f) The owner of a vehicle that is impounded or immobilized under this subsection may, within 10 days after the date the owner has knowledge of the location of the vehicle, file a complaint in the county in which the owner resides to determine whether the vehicle was wrongfully taken or withheld. Upon the filing of a complaint, the owner or lienholder may have the vehicle released by posting with the court a bond or other adequate security equal to the amount of the costs and fees for impoundment or immobilization, including towing or storage, to ensure the payment of such costs and fees if the owner or lienholder does not prevail. When the vehicle owner or lienholder does not prevail on a complaint that the vehicle was wrongfully taken or withheld, he or she must pay the accrued charges for the immobilization or impoundment, including any towing and storage charges assessed against the vehicle. When the bond is posted and the fee is paid as set forth in s. 28.24, the clerk of the court shall issue a certificate releasing the vehicle. At the time of release, after reasonable inspection, the owner must give a receipt to the towing or storage company indicating any loss or damage to the vehicle or to the contents of the vehicle.

(9)(a) A motor vehicle that is driven by a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs in violation of s. 316.193 is subject to seizure and forfeiture under ss. 932.701-932.706 and is subject to liens for recovering, towing, or storing vehicles under s. 713.78 if, at the time of the offense, the person's driver's license is suspended, revoked, or canceled as a result of a prior conviction for driving under the influence.

(b) The law enforcement officer shall notify the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles of any impoundment or seizure for violation of paragraph (a) in accordance with procedures established by the department.

(c) Notwithstanding s. 932.703(1)(c) or s. 932.7055, when the seizing agency obtains a final judgment granting forfeiture of the motor vehicle under this section, 30 percent of the net proceeds from the sale of the motor vehicle shall be retained by the seizing law enforcement agency and 70 percent shall be deposited in the General Revenue Fund for use by regional workforce boards in providing transportation services for participants of the welfare transition program. In a forfeiture proceeding under this section, the court may consider the extent that the family of the owner has other public or private means of transportation.

(10)(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, if a person does not have a prior forcible felony conviction as defined in s. 776.08, the penalties provided in paragraph (b) apply if a person's driver's license or driving privilege is canceled, suspended, or revoked for:

1. Failing to pay child support as provided in s. 322.245 or s. 61.13016;

2. Failing to pay any other financial obligation as provided in s. 322.245 other than those specified in s. 322.245(1);

3. Failing to comply with a civil penalty required in s. 318.15;

4. Failing to maintain vehicular financial responsibility as required by chapter 324;

5. Failing to comply with attendance or other requirements for minors as set forth in s. 322.091; or

6. Having been designated a habitual traffic offender under s. 322.264(1)(d) as a result of suspensions of his or her driver's license or driver privilege for any underlying violation listed in subparagraphs 1.-5.

(b)1. Upon a first conviction for knowingly driving while his or her license is suspended, revoked, or canceled for any of the underlying violations listed in subparagraphs (a)1.-6., a person commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

2. Upon a second or subsequent conviction for the same offense of knowingly driving while his or her license is suspended, revoked, or canceled for any of the underlying violations listed in subparagraphs (a)1.-6., a person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

History.--s. 46, ch. 19551, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8135(60); s. 46, ch. 20451, 1941; s. 7, ch. 22858, 1945; s. 1, ch. s. 59-3; s. 214, ch. 71-136; s. 7, ch. 72-175; s. 4, ch. 76-153; s. 69, ch. 88-381; s. 23, ch. 89-282; s. 85, ch. 94-306; s. 941, ch. 95-148; s. 1, ch. 95-202; s. 1, ch. 95-278; s. 40, ch. 97-300; s. 12, ch. 98-223; s. 10, ch. 98-324; s. 108, ch. 99-13; s. 1, ch. 99-234; s. 46, ch. 99-248; s. 85, ch. 2000-165; s. 64, ch. 2008-4; s. 1, ch. 2008-53; s. 5, ch. 2009-206.

322.341 Driving while license permanently revoked.

Any person whose driver's license or driving privilege has been permanently revoked pursuant to s. 322.26 or s. 322.28 and who drives a motor vehicle upon the highways of this state is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

History.--s. 13, ch. 98-223.

322.35 Permitting unauthorized minor to drive.

No person shall cause or knowingly permit his or her child or ward under the age of 18 years to drive a motor vehicle upon any highway when such minor is not authorized by the provisions of this chapter.

History.--s. 47, ch. 19551, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 4151(658); s. 47, ch. 20451, 1941; s. 420, ch. 95-148.

322.36 Permitting unauthorized operator to drive.

A person may not authorize or knowingly permit a motor vehicle owned by him or her or under his or her dominion or control to be operated upon any highway or public street except by a person who is duly authorized to operate a motor vehicle under this chapter. Any person who violates this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. If a person violates this section by knowingly loaning a vehicle to a person whose driver's license is suspended and if that vehicle is involved in an accident resulting in bodily injury or death, the driver's license of the person violating this section shall be suspended for 1 year.

History.--s. 48, ch. 19551, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 4151(659); s. 48, ch. 20451, 1941; s. 1, ch. 65-497; s. 215, ch. 71-136; s. 421, ch. 95-148; s. 38, ch. 2008-176.

322.37 Employing unlicensed driver.

No person shall employ as a driver of a motor vehicle any person not then licensed to operate such vehicle as provided in this chapter. Violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction subject to the penalty provided in s. 318.18(2).

History.--s. 49, ch. 19551, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 4151(660); s. 49, ch. 20451, 1941; s. 13, ch. 86-185; s. 48, ch. 89-282.

322.38 Renting motor vehicle to another.

1) No person shall rent a motor vehicle to any other person unless the latter person is then duly licensed, or if a nonresident he or she shall be licensed under the laws of the state or country of his or her residence, except a nonresident whose home state or country does not require that an operator be licensed.

(2) No person shall rent a motor vehicle to another until he or she has inspected the driver's license of the person to whom the vehicle is to be rented, and compared and verified the signature thereon with the signature of such person written in his or her presence.

(3) Every person renting a motor vehicle to another shall keep a record of the registration number of the motor vehicle so rented, the name and address of the person to whom the vehicle is rented, the number of the license of said latter person, and the date and place when and where the said license was issued. Such record shall be open to inspection by any police officer, or officer or employee of the department.

History.--s. 50, ch. 19551, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 4151(661); s. 50, ch. 20451, 1941; s. 49, ch. 89-282; s. 422, ch. 95-148.

322.39 Penalties.

1) It is a misdemeanor for any person to violate any of the provisions of this chapter, unless such violation is declared to be otherwise by this chapter or other law of this state.

(2) Unless another penalty is provided in this chapter or by the laws of this state, a person convicted of a misdemeanor for the violation of a provision of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

History.--s. 51, ch. 19551, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8135(56); s. 51, ch. 20451, 1941; s. 216, ch. 71-136; s. 19, ch. 84-359.

322.391 Failure of person charged with misdemeanor under this chapter to comply with court-ordered directives; suspension of license.--A person charged with the commission of a misdemeanor under this chapter who fails to comply with all of the directives of the court is subject to the provisions of s. 322.245.

History.--s. 24, ch. 84-359.

Updated from http://www.flesenate.gov/as of September 1, 2009.