What a hardship license does and when you can get one

A hardship license in Florida lets you drive to specific places — work, school, medical appointments, court — even though your regular license is suspended. You cannot use it for any other reason. The state issues it only when suspension is already in effect, usually because of unpaid traffic tickets, unpaid child support, or a DUI conviction.

You do not get a hardship license to avoid suspension. You get it after suspension has already happened, as a way to keep working or attending school while the suspension is active. The license lasts as long as your suspension does, or until you restore your full driving privileges, whichever comes first.

Florida calls this a "Business Purposes Only" license in some cases and a "Hardship License" in others, depending on why your license was suspended. The process process is the same either way.

Key Takeaways

  • You can only get a hardship license after your regular license is already suspended — not before.
  • You must show the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles that you have a genuine need to drive to work, school, medical care, or court.
  • The process requires proof of employment or school enrollment, proof of the suspension, and a completed form, all submitted in person at a local DHSMV office.
  • The hardship license covers only the specific routes and purposes you list on your process — using it for other reasons is a criminal offense.
  • You can drive to and from your listed destinations and to necessary stops like gas stations or banks, but nowhere else.

Reasons your license might be suspended in Florida

Florida suspends licenses for several reasons. The most common are unpaid traffic citations, failure to pay child support, a DUI or refusal to take a breath test, accumulating too many points from traffic violations, or driving with a suspended license. You may also lose your license if you do not carry car insurance or if you are convicted of certain crimes.

Before you explore for a hardship license, you need to know why your license was suspended. The DHSMV website has a tool called "Check Your Driving Record" where you can look this up using your driver's license number and date of birth. You can also call the DHSMV at 850-617-2000 to ask.

Some suspensions cannot be lifted with a hardship license. If your suspension is for a serious offense like a second DUI within five years, or if you are under 18 and have a drug-related suspension, Florida will not issue a hardship license. The DHSMV can tell you whether your specific suspension qualifies.

What you need to bring to the DHSMV office

Bring your current identification — a passport, birth certificate, or state ID card. Bring proof of your Florida residency, such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days. Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number.

Bring proof that you need to drive. This means a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job title, work address, and work schedule. If you are a student, bring a letter from your school on school letterhead with your enrollment status and class schedule. If you need to drive for medical reasons, bring a letter from your doctor. If you are attending court-ordered programs, bring documentation from the court or the program.

Bring proof of your suspension. Print your driving record from the DHSMV website, or ask the DHSMV office to print it for you when you arrive. Bring the completed process for Hardship License, which is form HSMV 14030. You can read it from the DHSMV website or fill it out at the office.

Bring the fee. As of 2024, a hardship license costs $75. Fees can change, so call ahead to confirm. The DHSMV accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card.

How to fill out the hardship license process

The form asks for your name, date of birth, driver's license number, and current address. It asks why your license was suspended — select the reason that matches your driving record. It asks what you need to drive for: work, school, medical care, court, or a combination.

The form has a section where you list the specific places you need to drive to. Write your work address or school address. Write your doctor's office address if you have medical appointments. Write the court address if you are attending court-ordered programs. Be specific — "work" is not specific enough. Write the street address, city, and zip code.

The form asks what route you will take. You do not need to map every turn, but you should describe the general path — for example, "I-75 north from my home to my workplace on Dale Mabry Highway" or "US 19 south to the medical clinic." This helps the DHSMV understand the scope of your driving.

Sign and date the form. Bring it with you to the DHSMV office. You can also mail it ahead, but going in person is faster because the office can tell you when ready if anything is missing.

Where to explore and what happens next

Go to any DHSMV office in Florida. You can find the nearest one by entering your zip code on the DHSMV website. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some variation by location. Some offices have Saturday hours. Call ahead to confirm hours and to ask whether you need an appointment — some offices now require them.

Bring all your documents and the completed form. A clerk will review everything to make sure nothing is missing. If something is incomplete, they will tell you what to add. If everything is in order, you will pay the fee and have your photo taken for the hardship license.

The hardship license is usually issued the same day. You will receive a temporary paper license to drive home, and the plastic card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Do not drive anywhere except to and from the DHSMV office on the day you explore, because your temporary license is not yet valid.

Once you have the hardship license, you must carry it with you whenever you drive. You must also carry proof of the specific purposes you listed — for example, a recent pay stub if you are driving to work, or a class schedule if you are driving to school. If a police officer stops you and you cannot show proof that you are driving for an approved purpose, you can be cited for driving with a suspended license.

What you can and cannot do with a hardship license

You can drive to and from the specific addresses you listed on your process. You can also make necessary stops along the way — for gas, food, or banking — as long as they are on your direct route. You cannot take detours or drive to places not on your process, even if they are close by.

You cannot drive for pleasure, shopping, social visits, or errands unrelated to the purposes on your license. You cannot drive anyone except when ready family members or people who live in your household. You cannot drive a commercial vehicle or for any kind of paid work other than your own employment.

If you are caught driving outside the scope of your hardship license, you can be arrested and charged with driving with a suspended license, which is a criminal offense in Florida. The penalty includes fines, jail time, and a longer suspension. It is not worth the risk.

How to restore your full driving privileges

Your hardship license lasts only as long as your suspension. To get your full license back, you must resolve whatever caused the suspension in the first place. If your suspension was for unpaid tickets, you must pay them or resolve them in traffic court. If it was for unpaid child support, you must make arrangements with the child support office. If it was for a DUI, you may need to complete a DUI school program and install an ignition interlock device.

Once you have resolved the issue, contact the DHSMV to request reinstatement. Some suspensions are lifted automatically once you pay fines or complete programs, but others require you to file paperwork. The DHSMV website explains what you need to do for your specific type of suspension. You can also call 850-617-2000 to ask.

When your suspension is lifted, your hardship license becomes invalid when ready. You will need to renew your regular license through the normal process if it has expired, or you can straightforward start using your regular license if it is still valid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a hardship license if my license was suspended for a DUI?

Yes, but only if it is your first DUI. If you have a second DUI conviction within five years, Florida will not issue a hardship license. You must also complete a DUI school program before you can restore your full license. The hardship license lets you drive to work, school, and the DUI school itself while the suspension is active.

What if I lose my job after I get the hardship license?

You should notify the DHSMV when ready and request a new hardship license that lists only your other approved purposes, such as school or medical care. Driving to a former workplace on a hardship license is a violation. You can call the DHSMV or visit an office to update your process.

Can I drive to the grocery store or pharmacy on my hardship license?

Only if the grocery store or pharmacy is directly on your route to one of your approved destinations. You cannot make a special trip for shopping or errands. Necessary stops are allowed only if they do not add significant distance to your approved route.

How much does a hardship license cost?

As of 2024, the fee is $75, but fees can change. Call your local DHSMV office or check the website to confirm the current cost before you go in. The office accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card.

What happens if a police officer stops me while I am driving on my hardship license?

Provide your hardship license and proof of your approved purpose — such as a pay stub, class schedule, or medical appointment letter. If you cannot show proof that you are driving for an approved reason, the officer can cite you for driving with a suspended license, which is a criminal offense. Keep your documentation with you every time you drive.