You knew you shouldn’t have driven that night. But now the flashing lights are behind you, and everything is moving fast. You’ve been arrested for driving under the influence, and one of the first questions running through your mind is this: is your license suspended immediately after a DUI, or do you still have time to act before it’s too late?
In Florida, the legal process after a DUI arrest doesn’t wait. Even before your criminal case is resolved, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles can take administrative action against your license. That’s separate from any penalties the criminal court may impose after a conviction.
In this blog, Florida drunk driving lawyer Ron Chapman explains what you need to know about how and when your license may be suspended after a DUI in West Palm Beach, and what options may be available to protect your driving privileges.
If you're arrested for driving under the influence in Florida, your driver's license can be suspended right away through what's called an administrative suspension. This happens before you’ve had a chance to appear in court. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles imposes this suspension under Florida Statutes § 322.2615.
There are two scenarios that trigger this immediate license suspension:
In either case, the law enforcement officer will take your physical license and issue you a temporary driving permit valid for 10 days. This administrative action is separate from any license suspension tied to a DUI conviction.
The 10-day permit allows you to drive for limited purposes—typically work, school, or medical needs. During this time, you must decide whether to:
If you don’t act within those 10 days, your license suspension takes effect automatically.
The duration of your administrative suspension depends on the circumstances of your arrest:
These suspensions apply even before your DUI criminal case goes to trial. If you have prior DUI convictions or the incident resulted in bodily injury or serious bodily injury, the consequences may increase significantly.
A hardship license allows limited driving for employment or business purposes while your full license is suspended. You may qualify for one if:
The rules are outlined in Florida Statutes § 322.271.
This license does not restore full driving privileges. If you're caught exceeding its limited use, you could face additional criminal charges and a longer suspension.
If you're convicted of DUI in criminal court, your license will be suspended again—this time as part of your sentence. Under Florida Statutes § 316.193, the court can order the following suspensions:
A conviction also brings jail time, fines, DUI School, and mandatory ignition interlock devices for high BACs or repeat offenses.
If your BAC was 0.15 or higher, or you have prior DUI convictions, the court may order you to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. You’ll be responsible for the installation and monitoring costs.
Florida law also requires you to complete DUI School before your license can be reinstated. These penalties fall under Florida Statutes § 316.1937.
A DUI conviction creates a permanent criminal record. That can affect:
Even one DUI offense can show up in future criminal justice system reviews and court proceedings. If you’re facing charges in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, or Broward County, you’re dealing with a legal system that takes these cases seriously—especially those involving prior DUI convictions or felony DUI charges like dui manslaughter.
Driving after a DUI-related license suspension is a criminal offense in Florida. You could be charged with:
You may face jail time, fines, and an even longer driver’s license suspension. It can also be used against you in the original dui criminal case.
Yes. You can request a formal review hearing within the 10-day window following your arrest. At the hearing, your criminal defense attorney can:
This is where having an experienced Florida DUI lawyer makes a difference. Winning the hearing can restore your full driving privileges, even before your criminal case is resolved.
If your license was taken after a DUI stop, you don’t have time to waste. Florida’s deadlines are short, and both your driving privileges and your record are at risk.
When you search online for “criminal defense lawyers near me,” you’re likely to find a long list of names, but that doesn’t tell you who will actually fight for you. Ronald S. Chapman is a Florida DUI lawyer with over 34 years of courtroom experience. He works directly with clients, not through paralegals or rotating teams. He reviews every case himself, from the law enforcement report to the evidence behind your blood alcohol content reading. Whether you’re facing your first DUI conviction or a charge involving serious bodily injury, you’ll get a legal defense that’s strategic and focused on the facts.
Call (561) 832-4348 or use the confidential online form to schedule a meeting. We’re available 24/7 to discuss your case.
Copyright © 2025. Ronald S. Chapman, P.A. All rights reserved.
The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
Ronald S. Chapman, P.A.
400 Clematis St., Suite 206
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 832-4348
http://www.justiceflorida.com/
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