Florida DUI Laws

To begin fighting your driving under the influence (DUI) charge, you should know what you’re going to be faced with in the court room as well have an experienced Florida DUI lawyer by your side. Here is what happens if you are a first offender under Florida DUI law of a blood alcohol content level of 0.08.

Immediate License Suspension

According to the DUI law in Florida, your license will be suspended for 6 months from the arrest date. You will be given a 10 day permit on the day that you get arrested. Once your permit has expired, you will have to serve 30 days suspension before you can apply for a hardship license. For this, you must provide proof of enrollment in an alcohol education school to even be considered for a hardship license. If you are given the approval to reinstate for an early for a hardship license, then must show this approval to the driver license office. When you are getting your reinstatement, whether it is for a hardship license or a full license, you must take the exam, which is mandatory, pay the administrative fee of $115, pay the reinstatement fee of $35 and also pay for any other license fee that is required. In addition to this, proof of liability insurance or proof of liability coverage will need to be presented as on the arrest date along with a $15 reinstatement fee.

DUI Test Refusals

On arrest, if you refuse to submit to breathe or urine test, then the law in Florida requires that your license is suspended for one year from the arrest date. However, you will be give a 10 day permit from the date of the arrest, and when the permit expires; you will be needed to serve 90 days of suspension before you can be eligible to apply for a hardship license. Same as before, you must provide proof of enrollment in an alcohol education school to even be considered for a hardship license. If you are given the approval to reinstate for an early for a hardship license, then must show this approval to the driver license office. When you are getting your reinstatement, whether it is for a hardship license or a full license, you must take the exam, which is mandatory, pay the administrative fee of $115, pay the reinstatement fee of $35 and also pay for any other license fee that is required. In addition to this, proof of liability insurance or proof of liability coverage will need to be presented as on the arrest date along with a $15 reinstatement fee.

Penalties (1^st DUI offence)

Jail time: Maximum 6 months.

Fine: $500 – $1000.

License suspension: 180 days – 1 year. (You can apply for a hardship license)

DUI School for alcohol education: Completion required only if referred to from the court.

Penalties (2^nd DUI offence after 5 years have passed since the 1^st DUI offense)

Jail time: Maximum 9 months.

Fine: $1000 – $2000.

License suspension: 180 days – 1 year. (You cannot apply for a hardship license.)

DUI School for alcohol education: Completion required only if referred to from the court.

Penalties (2^nd DUI offence before 5 years have passed since the 1^st DUI offense)

Jail time: 10 days – 1 year.

Fine: $1000 – $2000.

Mandatory ignition interlock: 1 year.

License suspension: 5 years. (You can apply for a hardship license after 1 year.)

DUI School for alcohol education: Completion required only if referred to from the court.