There are several reasons a driver’s license may be suspended/revoked. Many agencies have the authority to have a suspension placed against your driver’s license and for multiple reasons.
The difference between suspension and revocation is that a suspension is a temporary hold on your license that deems you unable to legally drive for a period until your application for reinstatement is approved. Most states issue two different types of suspensions: definite, which means there is a specific timeframe during which your license will be invalid and indefinite, which means that your license will remain invalid until you take necessary action to correct whatever has caused the suspension.
The State Department of Revenue may suspend a person’s license for non-payment of child support.
If you are charged in a crash where a fatality or serious injury was involved, you are required to appear before the court. The court may suspend your driving privileges for up to one year. The court can also suspend your license for criminal offenses like criminal mischief and unlawful possession of firearms if under the age of 18.
The Clerk’s Office may suspend your license for failure to pay a traffic citation, failure to appear in court, failure to provide proof of compliance, or failure to pay criminal court costs associated with a driving charge. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle will suspend your license for not maintaining liability insurance on a registered vehicle. They also may suspend your license if you refuse to take a blood, urine or breath test if an officer has cause to believe that you are operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
In Florida, each moving traffic violation carries a certain number of points that can accumulate and cause the suspension of your license. The number of points within a specified time frame determines how long your license can be suspended:
- 12 points within 12 months = 30 days
- 18 points within 18 months = 3 months
- 24 points within 36 months = 1 year
Point system for moving violation:
A revocation means you lose the privilege to drive and is required by law upon conviction of certain driving offenses, such as DUI and driving without insurance. The judge can also order the revocation of your license for criminal violations such as petit theft, prostitution, or possession of drugs and/or paraphernalia.
Revocations can be from 6 months to indefinitely. This will all depend on the severity of the charge(s) and your prior driving history.