What a Florida hardship license does and who can request one
A hardship license in Florida lets you drive during a suspension period when you have a legitimate reason — usually work, school, medical treatment, or court-ordered obligations. You do not get unlimited driving; the license restricts you to specific routes and times, and you must carry the hardship permit with you at all times while driving.
Florida calls this a "restricted driving permit" or "hardship permit," and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) issues it. You can request one if your license is suspended for reasons like unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, a DUI conviction, or accumulating too many points. The suspension must already be in effect or about to take effect — you cannot get a hardship license before a suspension starts.
Not every suspension qualifies. If your license was suspended for medical reasons (like failing a vision test), you cannot get a hardship permit. If you were suspended for refusing a breath test after a DUI arrest, you also cannot get one. The reason for your suspension determines whether you are may be able to access.
Key Takeaways
- A hardship license restricts your driving to specific purposes like work, school, or medical care, and you must carry the permit and follow the approved routes.
- You must have a valid reason for needing to drive during your suspension, and DHSMV will ask you to describe your hardship in writing.
- You can request a hardship license in person at your local DHSMV office, by mail, or online through the DHSMV website if your suspension reason qualifies.
- The process takes about one to two weeks if you submit all required documents, though some suspensions are resolved faster if you pay outstanding fines or fees.
- You will need to pay a fee (currently around $75, though this varies) and provide proof of your hardship, such as an employment letter or school enrollment document.
Gather the documents DHSMV will ask for
Before you contact DHSMV, collect proof of your hardship. The specific documents depend on your reason for needing to drive. If you need the license for work, bring a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job title, work address, and the days and hours you work. The letter should confirm that you need to drive to perform your job.
If you are requesting the permit for school, bring an enrollment letter from the school or university showing your name, program, and class schedule. For medical treatment, bring a letter from your doctor or medical facility stating the type of treatment, the address where you receive it, and how often you need to go. If you have court-ordered obligations like child support or probation, bring a copy of the court order or a letter from your probation officer.
You will also need your current ID (even though it is suspended, you still have the physical card), proof of insurance, and your Social Security number. If you are requesting the permit by mail, make copies of everything — do not send originals.
Request the hardship license through DHSMV
You have three ways to request a hardship license: in person at a local DHSMV office, by mail, or online through the DHSMV website (if your suspension reason qualifies for online requests). The online option is fastest if available for your situation — you can submit your request and documents without leaving home.
To request online, go to the DHSMV website, select "Hardship License" or "Restricted Driving Permit," and follow the prompts. You will upload images of your documents, describe your hardship, and pay the fee by credit or debit card. DHSMV will send you a confirmation number and tell you what to expect next.
If you go in person, bring your original documents, your ID, proof of insurance, and a completed process form (DHSMV Form HSMV 14-015, which you can read from the website or pick up at the office). You will pay the fee at the counter. If you mail your request, send copies of all documents to the DHSMV address listed on their website, along with a completed process form and a check or money order for the fee.
What happens after you submit your request
DHSMV will review your documents to confirm that your hardship is legitimate and that your suspension reason allows for a hardship permit. This review typically takes one to two weeks. During this time, your suspension remains in effect — you cannot drive legally until DHSMV approves your request and issues the permit.
If DHSMV approves your request, they will mail the hardship license to your address on file. The permit will list the specific purposes you can drive for (work, school, medical, or court-ordered), the approved routes or geographic area, and the days and times you are allowed to drive. You must follow these restrictions exactly. Driving outside the approved times, routes, or purposes is a violation and can result in additional penalties.
If DHSMV denies your request, they will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons for denial include insufficient proof of hardship, a suspension reason that does not may have access to, or incomplete documents. You can resubmit your request with better documentation, or you can contact DHSMV to ask what additional information they need.
Pay the hardship license fee
The fee for a hardship license in Florida is currently around $75, though DHSMV adjusts fees periodically. You pay this fee whether you request the permit in person, by mail, or online. If you request in person, you pay at the DHSMV office counter by cash, check, or card. If you mail your request, include a check or money order. If you request online, you pay by credit or debit card during the process process.
This fee is separate from any fines, court costs, or other amounts you may owe related to your suspension. For example, if your license was suspended because you did not pay a traffic fine, you still owe that fine even if you get a hardship license. Paying the hardship fee does not clear your suspension — it only covers the cost of issuing the permit.
Understand the restrictions on your hardship license
Your hardship license is not a regular license. It comes with specific restrictions that you must follow. The permit will show approved purposes (such as "work only" or "work and school"), approved routes or a geographic area, and approved times of day. You can only drive for the listed purposes, on the listed routes, during the listed times.
For example, if your permit says you can drive to work Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., you cannot use it to drive to the grocery store on Saturday, even if the store is on your approved route. If you are caught driving outside these restrictions, you can be cited for driving with a suspended license, which carries additional fines and potential jail time.
You must carry the hardship permit with you every time you drive. If you are pulled over and cannot produce it, you will be treated as if you are driving with a suspended license. Keep the permit in your vehicle or wallet at all times.
What to do if your hardship license is denied or expires
If DHSMV denies your request, read the denial letter carefully to understand why. Common fixable reasons include missing documents, an incomplete process, or insufficient detail in your hardship description. You can resubmit your request with the missing information. Contact your local DHSMV office by phone to ask what specific documents or information they need before you resubmit.
A hardship license is temporary and expires when your suspension ends. The permit will show an expiration date. Once that date passes, you cannot drive on the hardship license, even if your suspension is still technically in effect. If your suspension is lifted before the permit expires, you can resume normal driving once you receive notice from DHSMV that the suspension has been removed.
If you need to extend your hardship license because your suspension is still in effect, you must request a new permit before the current one expires. Submit a new process with updated documents showing your continued hardship (such as a new employment letter or updated school enrollment).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to places other than work if I have a work-only hardship license?
No. A work-only hardship license restricts you to driving to and from your workplace and during approved times. Driving to the store, a friend's house, or anywhere else violates the permit and can result in additional charges. If you need to drive for multiple purposes, you must request a permit that covers all of them when you explore.
How long does a hardship license last?
The hardship license lasts until your suspension ends or until the expiration date on the permit, whichever comes first. Most hardship permits are valid for the duration of your suspension. If your suspension is lifted early (for example, because you paid outstanding fines), your hardship license expires at that point.
What if I get pulled over while driving on my hardship license?
Have your hardship permit ready to show the officer along with your ID and proof of insurance. If you are driving within your approved times, routes, and purposes, you are driving legally. If the officer believes you are violating the restrictions, they can cite you for driving with a suspended license.
Can I get a hardship license if my suspension is for a DUI refusal?
No. If your license was suspended because you refused a breath or blood test after a DUI arrest, you are not may be able to access for a hardship license in Florida. You must wait out the suspension period. If your suspension is for a DUI conviction (not a refusal), you may be may be able to access — contact DHSMV to confirm.
Do I need to pay my outstanding fines to get a hardship license?
Not necessarily. You can get a hardship license while fines or fees remain unpaid. However, if your suspension is specifically for unpaid fines, paying those fines will lift the suspension faster than waiting for a hardship permit to be approved. Check with DHSMV about whether paying outstanding amounts would resolve your suspension sooner.