Habitual Traffic Offenders (HTO)

Florida Drivers License Suspension Lawyers & Attorneys

There are 145,732 drivers in the State of Florida who are active habitual traffic offenders (DHSMV, June 18, 2007). You paid off all of your tickets and you reinstated your license only to receive a letter from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles(“DHSMV”) telling you that your license is suspended for 5 years effective on a particular date. Our clients always tell us the same thing. They paid off everything and reinstated their license. Why are they now going to lose their license again? The rules of the DHSMV require that you will lose your license for 5 years for acquiring three major violations in a 5 year period. The rules also require that you lose your license for 5 years if you receive 15 convictions for moving violations for which points may be assessed. Major violations are most commonly driving while license suspended convictions and driving under the influence. The DHSMV combines these violations in determining if they have occurred within a 5 year period. If so, they will then send you a letter telling you that your license will be suspended on a particular date. Click here for an Online Driver’s License Check.

If you have received such a letter you should contact our office immediately to determine if it is possible to overturn the suspension. In some instances we may be able to reopen your case and get your pending suspension set aside. Call our office immediately at 941-953-2622 or 813-649-8690 to discuss your specific facts.

Once you become a habitual traffic offender, your license will be suspended for 5 years. You will not be allowed to drive for 1 full year. That is referred to as “Hard Time”. At the conclusion of the 1 year, you may apply for a hardship license through the Bureau of Administrative Review field office. A hearing officer will determine your hardship eligibility.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT IF YOU ARE CAUGHT DRIVING ON A HABITUAL TRAFFIC OFFENDER SUSPENSION YOU WILL BE TAKEN TO JAIL AND CHARGED WITH A THIRD DEGREE FELONY. A THIRD DEGREE FELONY IS PUNISHABLE BY UP TO FIVE YEARS STATE PRISON.