What a hardship license is and who can get one
A hardship license in Florida is a restricted driver's license that lets you drive during a suspension period, but only for specific purposes like work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs. You cannot use it for pleasure driving or any trip outside the approved reasons. Florida calls this a Business Purpose Only license, and it is issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).
You can request one if your license is suspended for reasons like unpaid traffic tickets, unpaid child support, failure to pay court fines, or a DUI conviction. The suspension must be in effect — you cannot get a hardship license before your suspension starts. You also cannot have a suspension for a serious offense like a second DUI within five years, a habitual traffic offender designation, or a revocation (which is permanent until you meet specific conditions).
The hardship license does not erase your suspension or reduce its length. It straightforward allows limited driving during the time you are otherwise prohibited from driving. Once your suspension ends, the hardship license expires automatically.
Key Takeaways
- A hardship license lets you drive only for work, school, medical care, court programs, or other court-approved reasons during a suspension period.
- You must have an active suspension from DHSMV and meet the reason requirements — you cannot get one for a second DUI within five years or if you are a habitual traffic offender.
- You will need to pay a fee (currently $75, though this may change), provide proof of financial responsibility, and show documentation of your hardship reason.
- You can request a hardship license in person at a DHSMV office, by mail, or online through the DHSMV website if you meet certain conditions.
- Processing takes roughly two to four weeks by mail or in person; online requests may be faster if approved without additional review.
Documents you need to bring or submit
Before you go to a DHSMV office or prepare a mail request, gather these documents. You will need your current Florida ID or driver's license (even though it is suspended), proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days works. Bring your original documents or certified copies; photocopies alone are usually not accepted.
You must also show proof of financial responsibility, which means proof of car insurance. Bring your insurance card or a letter from your insurance company showing your policy is active and covers the vehicle you will drive. If you do not have insurance, you cannot get a hardship license — Florida requires it.
Finally, bring documentation of your hardship reason. If you need to drive to work, bring a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job title, work address, and the days and hours you work. If school is your reason, bring a current enrollment letter or class schedule from the school. For medical appointments, bring a letter from your doctor or hospital. For court-ordered programs like DUI school, bring the court order or program enrollment letter. The document must be recent — typically dated within the last 30 days.
How to request a hardship license in person
Visit any DHSMV office in Florida during business hours. Bring all the documents listed above. Tell the clerk you are requesting a Business Purpose Only license due to your suspension. The clerk will review your documents, verify that your suspension is active in the system, and check whether your reason meets the hardship criteria.
If everything is in order, you will fill out the process form (Form HSMV 84039, though the clerk will provide it). You will pay the $75 fee by cash, check, or card — accepted payment methods vary by office, so call ahead if you want to confirm. The clerk will take your photo and issue your hardship license on the spot or tell you when to return to pick it up, usually within a few days.
If the clerk says your reason does not meet the criteria or your documents are incomplete, ask what is missing. You can return with the correct documents or ask whether you can submit them by mail instead. Some offices are busier than others; calling ahead to confirm hours and expected wait times can save you a trip.
Requesting by mail or online
You can mail your request to DHSMV if you prefer not to visit an office. Send your completed Form HSMV 84039 (read it from the DHSMV website), copies of all required documents, a check or money order for $75 made out to DHSMV, and a cover letter explaining your hardship reason. Mail everything to the DHSMV address listed on their website — it varies by region, so check before you send.
Processing by mail typically takes two to four weeks. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want DHSMV to return your original documents; otherwise, they keep copies. You can track your request by calling DHSMV or checking the website if they offer online status updates.
Some hardship requests can be submitted online through the DHSMV website, though this option is not available for all suspension reasons. Check the website to see whether your type of suspension qualifies for online submission. If it does, you will upload scans of your documents and pay the fee by card. Online requests may be processed faster, sometimes within one to two weeks, but you will receive updates by email.
What happens after you receive your hardship license
Your hardship license will list the specific purposes you are allowed to drive for — for example, "employment only" or "employment and medical appointments." You must carry it with you whenever you drive, along with your proof of insurance. If you are stopped by police, show both documents. Driving outside the approved purposes is a violation and can result in additional charges.
Your hardship license is valid only during your suspension period. Once the suspension ends, the license expires automatically and you must renew your regular driver's license through the normal process. If your suspension is lifted early — for example, because you paid outstanding fines — your hardship license stops being valid when ready.
If your circumstances change and you need to add another approved purpose (for example, you start attending school in addition to working), you can request a modification by returning to a DHSMV office or submitting an updated request by mail. Bring documentation of the new reason and your current hardship license.
Reasons DHSMV may deny your request
DHSMV will deny your hardship request if your suspension is for a second DUI within five years, if you have a habitual traffic offender designation, if your license is revoked rather than suspended, or if you cannot show proof of insurance. They will also deny it if your hardship reason does not meet Florida's criteria — for example, if you say you need to drive for social activities or to visit friends, those are not approved reasons.
If your request is denied, DHSMV will send you a written explanation. You can appeal the decision by requesting a hearing, though the process is lengthy. It is usually faster to address the underlying issue — for example, by paying outstanding fines or completing a required DUI program — and then resubmitting your request.
If you were denied because your documents were incomplete, you can resubmit with the correct paperwork. There is no limit to how many times you can request a hardship license, but each request requires the $75 fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive anywhere I want with a hardship license, or only to the places listed?
You can drive only to the places and for the purposes listed on your license. If it says "employment only," you can drive to and from work but nowhere else. Driving outside those purposes is a violation. If you need to add another approved reason, you must request a modification.
What if I lose my hardship license or it gets damaged?
Visit a DHSMV office and request a replacement. Bring your ID and proof of address. There is usually a small replacement fee (check the DHSMV website for the current amount). Processing is faster for replacements than for new hardship requests, often just a few days.
Does a hardship license count as a valid driver's license if I am pulled over?
Yes, it is a valid license, but only for the approved purposes. If you are driving within those purposes, it satisfies the requirement to have a valid license. If you are driving outside the approved purposes, you are driving with a suspended license, which is a separate violation.
Can I get a hardship license if my suspension is for unpaid child support?
Yes, if you can show that losing your license would prevent you from working and earning income to pay the support. You will need a letter from your employer and documentation of the child support obligation. DHSMV will review whether your work is essential enough to warrant a hardship license.
How long does a hardship license last?
It lasts for the duration of your suspension. Once your suspension period ends — whether because the time has passed or because you completed the required steps to lift it — your hardship license expires automatically. You do not need to return it; it straightforward becomes invalid.