What a hardship license is and who needs the form
A hardship license in Florida lets you drive during a suspension period for specific reasons — usually work, school, medical treatment, or court-ordered programs. You cannot drive for any other purpose. The form you need is the process for Hardship License, which the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) uses to decide whether your reason meets state law.
You only need this form if your license is currently suspended. If your suspension has not started yet, or if you are trying to prevent a suspension, this form will not help. The form itself does not restore your license — it requests permission to drive under strict limits while the suspension is in effect.
Florida law lists the hardships the state will consider: employment, education, medical treatment, court-ordered substance abuse or mental health programs, and child care or elder care required for work or school. Driving to the DMV, the grocery store, or social events does not count, even if those trips are important to you.
Key Takeaways
- You must have an active suspension on your Florida license before you can submit a hardship process — the form does not work for future suspensions.
- The form requires proof of your hardship reason, such as a work letter, school enrollment, medical appointment card, or court order, so gather these documents before you start.
- You submit the form and supporting documents to the DHSMV office that issued your suspension notice, not to a central office.
- Processing takes roughly two to four weeks, and you will receive a written decision by mail — approval is not may provide.
- If approved, you receive a hardship license that restricts where and when you can drive; violating these restrictions can result in additional penalties.
Where to get the form and what documents you need
The official form is called the process for Hardship License (DHSMV Form 71-007.001). You can read it from the DHSMV website at flhsmv.gov, or you can pick up a printed copy at any Florida driver license office. The form is short — usually one page — and asks for your name, license number, suspension reason, and the hardship you are requesting.
Before you fill it out, gather the documents that prove your hardship. The DHSMV requires different proof depending on your reason. For work, bring a signed letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job title, work schedule, and that your employment depends on driving. For school, bring your current enrollment verification or a letter from the school. For medical treatment, bring an appointment card, prescription, or letter from your doctor showing the treatment location and frequency. For court-ordered programs, bring a copy of the court order or a letter from the program administrator.
You will also need your current suspension notice — the letter from DHSMV that tells you why your license was suspended and when. If you cannot find it, contact the DHSMV office that issued it and request a copy. Without this notice, the office will not know which suspension you are requesting a hardship license for.
How to complete the process form
Start with the top section. Write your full name exactly as it appears on your Florida license. Enter your driver license number and date of birth. Leave the DHSMV case number blank if you do not have it — the office will fill this in.
In the middle section, select the reason for your suspension from the list provided. Common options are "Suspension for DUI" or "Suspension for Points," but your suspension notice will tell you which one applies to you. If you are unsure, call the DHSMV office before submitting.
In the hardship reason section, check the box that matches your situation: employment, education, medical treatment, court-ordered program, or child/elder care. Do not check more than one box unless your situation genuinely involves multiple hardships — for example, work and court-ordered treatment. If you check multiple boxes, you must provide proof for each one.
At the bottom, sign and date the form. The form must be signed by you; a family member or attorney cannot sign it on your behalf. If you are unable to sign due to a disability, contact the DHSMV office for instructions on how to proceed.
Where and how to submit your process
Do not mail the form to the DHSMV headquarters in Tallahassee. Instead, submit it to the driver license office that issued your suspension. Your suspension notice lists this office's address and phone number. If you cannot find it, call the DHSMV customer service line at 1-844-833-5748 and provide your license number; they will tell you which office to contact.
You have two options for submission. You can mail the form and supporting documents to the office, or you can deliver them in person. Mailing usually takes longer because of processing delays, so if you need the hardship license quickly, visiting in person is faster. Bring the original form, copies of all supporting documents, and your suspension notice. The office will stamp your documents as received and give you a receipt.
Keep a copy of everything you submit for your records. If the office loses your documents or there is a dispute about what you sent, your copy protects you. Do not send original documents — send copies only, except for the form itself, which must be the original with your signature.
What happens after you submit and how long it takes
The DHSMV office will review your form and documents to determine whether your hardship reason meets Florida law. This review typically takes two to four weeks, though it can take longer if the office is busy or if your documents are unclear. You will not hear anything during this time — the office does not send status updates.
You will receive a written decision by mail at the address on your license. If approved, the letter will include your hardship license restrictions: the specific times you can drive, the routes you can take (usually limited to work, school, or medical appointments), and the conditions you must follow. Some hardship licenses allow driving only during daylight hours or only on weekdays. Read the restrictions carefully, because violating them can result in additional suspension time or criminal charges.
If denied, the letter will explain why. Common reasons for denial are that your hardship reason does not meet the law, your supporting documents were incomplete or unconvincing, or your suspension was for a reason that does not allow hardship licenses (such as a license revocation rather than suspension). If you are denied, you can request a hearing before a DHSMV hearing officer, but you must do so within 30 days of the denial letter.
Restrictions and rules for driving on a hardship license
A hardship license is not a regular license. It comes with strict conditions, and breaking them can make your situation worse. Your approval letter will list exactly where you can drive and when. Most hardship licenses restrict you to driving between your home and your workplace, school, or medical facility. You cannot make stops along the way — no gas stations, stores, or detours — unless the approval letter specifically allows them.
You must carry your hardship license and your suspension notice with you every time you drive. If a police officer stops you and you cannot produce both documents, you can be charged with driving with a suspended license, which is a criminal offense in Florida. The hardship license itself is not enough; the suspension notice proves that you were legally allowed to drive during the suspension period.
If your hardship reason changes — for example, you lose your job or finish your medical treatment — you must notify the DHSMV office when ready. Continuing to drive under a hardship license after your reason no longer applies is illegal. Similarly, if you move to a different address, you should update your license information with the DHSMV to avoid mail delivery problems.
What to do if your process is denied or if you need to appeal
If the DHSMV denies your hardship process, you have the right to request a hearing. The denial letter will include instructions and a important date — usually 30 days from the date of the letter. To request a hearing, you must send a written request to the DHSMV office that denied you, or you can request one online through the DHSMV website.
At the hearing, you will have the chance to present your case to a hearing officer. You can bring additional documents, witnesses, or an attorney. The hearing officer will listen to your explanation and decide whether your hardship reason meets the law. Hearing decisions usually come within two to four weeks after the hearing date.
If you are denied again after the hearing, you can appeal to the Florida courts, but this requires an attorney and is expensive. Most people do not pursue this route. Instead, they wait for their suspension to end and then reapply for a regular license once they are may be able to access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to places other than work or school on my hardship license?
Only if your approval letter specifically allows it. Most hardship licenses restrict you to driving between home and your hardship location only. If you need to drive to other places — such as a doctor's appointment or court-ordered program — you must request those locations when you submit your process and include proof that they are necessary.
What if I lose my job while my hardship license is active?
You must notify the DHSMV office when ready. Continuing to drive under a work-based hardship license after you are no longer employed is illegal. The office may revoke your hardship license and extend your suspension. If you find a new job, you can submit a new hardship process with proof of the new employment.
How much does the hardship license cost?
There is no fee to submit the hardship process. However, if your process is approved, you may need to pay a fee to receive the hardship license document itself — this varies by county. Ask the DHSMV office when you submit your process.
Can I submit my hardship process online?
No. Florida requires you to submit the form and supporting documents in person or by mail to the DHSMV office that issued your suspension. You cannot submit it through the DHSMV website or by email.
What if my suspension was for a DUI and I completed a substance abuse program?
Completing a program does not automatically restore your license, but it may help your hardship process. If the court ordered you to complete a program as part of your suspension, bring proof of completion with your hardship process. This shows the DHSMV that you are following the court's requirements and may strengthen your case for a hardship license.