What a hardship license does and who can get one
A hardship license in Florida is a restricted driving permit that lets you drive to specific places — usually work, school, medical appointments, or court — even though your regular license is suspended. You cannot use it for errands, social trips, or any driving outside the approved purposes.
You can request a hardship license if your suspension is for unpaid traffic tickets, unpaid child support, unpaid court fines, or a suspended license due to points on your record. You cannot get one if your suspension is for a DUI conviction, a refusal to take a breath test, or a serious criminal offense. The reason your license was suspended matters — Florida law only allows hardship licenses for certain suspension types.
The hardship license is not automatic. You have to request it from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), and you must show that losing your license creates a real hardship — meaning you need to drive to keep your job, attend school, or handle a medical situation.
Key Takeaways
- A hardship license lets you drive only to work, school, medical appointments, or court, and only if your suspension is for unpaid tickets, fines, or child support — not for DUI or criminal convictions.
- You request a hardship license from the DHSMV by mail, in person, or online through the DHSMV website, and you must include proof of the hardship and your reason for needing to drive.
- The DHSMV typically responds within two to four weeks, and you can drive legally only after you receive the hardship license in the mail.
- A hardship license has specific restrictions printed on it — you can only drive to the places listed, during the hours listed, and you must carry the license and proof of the hardship with you at all times.
- If you are stopped by police while driving outside the approved purposes or hours, you can be arrested for driving with a suspended license, even though you have the hardship license.
Reasons your license might be suspended in Florida
Florida suspends licenses for different reasons, and not all of them allow a hardship license. The most common suspensions that do allow one are: unpaid traffic citations (tickets), unpaid child support, unpaid court fines or restitution, and accumulation of points on your driving record (usually 12 or more points in three years).
Suspensions that do not allow a hardship license include DUI convictions, refusal to take a breath or blood test, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and convictions for serious crimes like fleeing police or reckless driving causing injury. If your suspension falls into one of these categories, you cannot get a hardship license — you have to wait out the suspension period or go through a different process to restore your license.
Before you request a hardship license, check your suspension reason. You can look this up on the DHSMV website by entering your driver's license number, or you can call the DHSMV at 850-617-2000 and ask why your license is suspended.
Documents and information you need to gather
The DHSMV requires specific documents depending on your suspension reason. If your suspension is for unpaid tickets or fines, bring proof that you have paid them or a payment plan agreement with the court. If your suspension is for unpaid child support, bring a letter from the Department of Revenue showing your current payment status or a payment agreement. If your suspension is for points, you do not need to pay anything — you just need to show hardship.
For all hardship license requests, you need proof of the hardship itself. This means a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating that you need to drive to work and that losing your license would cost you your job. If you are a student, bring a letter from your school. If you have a medical condition requiring treatment, bring a letter from your doctor or medical provider. If you need to drive for court-ordered purposes, bring a copy of the court order.
You also need a valid form of identification (passport, birth certificate, or state ID), your Social Security number, and your current address. If you have moved since your license was suspended, bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
How to request a hardship license
You can request a hardship license three ways: online through the DHSMV website, by mail, or in person at a DHSMV office. The online method is fastest — you fill out the form on the DHSMV website, upload your documents, and pay the fee (usually around $75, though this varies). You will receive a response within two to four weeks.
If you explore by mail, read the hardship license request form from the DHSMV website (form HSMV 82053), fill it out completely, and mail it with copies of all your supporting documents to the DHSMV address listed on the form. Include a check or money order for the fee. Mail applications take longer — usually four to six weeks — because they have to be processed manually.
If you explore in person, go to your nearest DHSMV office with all your documents and the fee. You can find office locations and hours on the DHSMV website. In-person applications are processed the same day in most cases, though you will not receive the hardship license when ready — it will be mailed to you within one to two weeks.
What happens after you submit your request
After you submit your request, the DHSMV reviews your documents to confirm that your suspension reason allows a hardship license and that you have shown genuine hardship. They check your proof of employment, school enrollment, or medical need. If everything is in order, they approve your request and mail the hardship license to your address.
You cannot drive legally until the hardship license arrives in the mail. If you drive before that, you are driving with a suspended license and can be arrested. Once you receive it, check the restrictions carefully — the license will list the specific purposes you can drive for (work, school, medical, court), the hours you can drive (often 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.), and sometimes specific routes or locations.
If the DHSMV denies your request, they will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons for denial are incomplete documents, proof of hardship that does not meet the standard, or a suspension reason that does not allow a hardship license. If you are denied, you can request a hearing before a DHSMV hearing officer to argue your case.
Restrictions and rules for driving on a hardship license
A hardship license is not a regular license — it comes with strict limits. You can only drive to the purposes listed on the license (usually work, school, medical appointments, or court). If you drive to the grocery store, visit a friend, or go anywhere else, you are breaking the law and can be arrested for driving with a suspended license.
You can only drive during the hours printed on the license, which are often limited to daytime hours (for example, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.). If you drive outside those hours, you are violating the hardship license terms. Some hardship licenses also restrict you to certain routes or areas — for example, only driving between your home and your workplace.
You must carry the hardship license and proof of the hardship (the employer letter, school letter, or medical letter) with you every time you drive. If you are stopped by police and cannot show both documents, you can be cited or arrested. Keep copies of your hardship license and supporting documents in your car at all times.
How long a hardship license lasts
A hardship license is temporary and lasts only as long as your suspension. If your suspension is for one year, your hardship license is good for one year. If your suspension is for three years, your hardship license is good for three years. The end date will be printed on the license itself.
When your suspension period ends, your hardship license expires and you cannot drive on it anymore. At that point, you can explore to restore your regular license through the DHSMV. The process for license restoration depends on your original suspension reason — some require you to pay a restoration fee, take a driving test, or complete a driver improvement course.
If you need to drive after your hardship license expires but before your suspension ends, you cannot — you have to wait until the suspension is lifted. There is no way to extend a hardship license beyond the suspension period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license if I have a DUI suspension?
No. Florida law does not allow hardship licenses for DUI suspensions, refusals to take a breath test, or driving with a suspended license. You have to wait out the suspension period, which is usually six months to one year for a first DUI. After the suspension ends, you can explore to restore your license.
What if my employer letter is old or I changed jobs?
You need a current letter from your current employer. If you changed jobs, get a new letter from your new employer stating that you need to drive to work. If you are between jobs, you may not be able to show hardship for employment purposes, but you might show hardship for another reason — school, medical treatment, or court-ordered obligations.
Can I drive to places not listed on my hardship license if it is an emergency?
No. Even in an emergency, you can only drive to the purposes listed on your hardship license. If you drive outside those purposes, you are violating the terms and can be arrested. If you have a genuine emergency, call 911 instead of driving yourself.
Do I have to pay my tickets or fines before I get a hardship license?
Not necessarily. If your suspension is for unpaid tickets or fines, you can show the DHSMV a payment plan agreement with the court instead of paying in full. However, you must be actively paying on that plan — if you miss payments, your hardship license can be revoked.
What happens if I am stopped by police while driving on my hardship license?
Show the officer your hardship license and your proof of hardship (the employer or school letter). If you are driving within the approved purposes and hours, you should not be cited. If you are driving outside those limits, you can be arrested for driving with a suspended license, even though you have the hardship license.