Many Floridian drivers may forget that driving is not a right, but rather a privilege. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) may suspend an individual´s driver´s license for numerous reasons. Many of those reasons have nothing to do with one´s ability to drive, which may come as a surprise to a large number of people.
Here are some reasons why the Traffic Court may suspend your driver´s license:
- Points on your driving license: In Florida when a driver is convicted of any moving traffic violation, points get added to their driving license. Points are calculated by the DMV, which may issue a suspension of a license based on the number of points received over a specific period of time. If you have 12 or more points on the driving record in a year, your license will get suspended. The suspension will be for 30 days if the driver has 12 points, 3 months if they have 18 points in a year and a half, one year for 24 points in three years.
- DUI: If a driver is convicted of a DUI, it will be reflected on the driver´s license, and will also result in the suspension of that license. The length of the suspension varies depending on the severity of the violation.
- Driving without a license: Driving without a license and driving with a suspended license are serious offenses that carry severe penalties. When driving with a suspended license, you can serve jail time for up to five years, in addition to the suspension.
- Refusing to take a breath test: When stopped for a DUI, you may be asked to take a breath test in order to know the alcohol level in your blood. If you refuse to take this test, or if you take it and it results in an unlawful breath alcohol limit, you will have your license suspended.
- Driving without insurance: It is necessary to have your vehicle properly insured, and carry valid auto insurance when driving. If you do not comply with both requirements, you may get your license suspended.
- Failure to comply with a court order: When you fail to take a court-ordered action, the court can suspend your license. Court orders include responding to a traffic ticket or appearing in court. In order to respond to a traffic ticket, you are allowed to hire a lawyer to challenge the citation or enroll in traffic school.
- Failure to pay financial responsibilities: If you owe money or are required to pay an obligation to maintain your driving privilege and you fail to do so in a timely manner, your license may be suspended. Financial responsibilities may include liens placed on driving privilege, a ticket, child support, and automobile insurance.
- Bad acts: Criminal acts and repetitive specific civil infractions can lead to having your license suspended. Some examples of such acts or infractions include DUI manslaughter, murder by use of a motor vehicle, a felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle was used, false insurance claims, perjury, and theft of a motor vehicle or its parts.
As you can see, there are many ways to have your license suspended by the state. If you or a loved one has had their license suspended or are involved in any criminal activity that may result in your license being suspended, you need an experienced attorney on your side. Attorney Russell Spatz has over four decades of experience handling all kinds of criminal law matters. For a case review, give him a call at 305-442-0200.