When people think about the consequences of getting a DUI, they often think about the embarrassment, huge fines and possible jail time they are facing. Each of these is indeed a serious repercussion of this type of criminal offense, but there are others that people often overlook.
For instance, you will also lose your driving privileges, at least temporarily, in accordance with state laws. Before you dismiss this penalty as little more than a minor inconvenience, you should understand how a license suspension can actually affect you.
License revocation guidelines
The length of your license revocation will depend on how many DUI convictions you have and the type of offense. A first-time conviction will result in at least 180 days of suspension. You will lose your license for at least five years if you are convicted of multiple DUIs in within five or 10 years. If you are convicted of DUI manslaughter, you will lose your license permanently.
Provisional license requirements
Under some circumstances, you can get a provisional license for business or employment purposes. However, you must comply with specific requirements and be eligible in order to apply for this type of reinstatement.
What if I take the chance of driving without a license?
Driving on a suspended license is a felony in Florida and can cost you $5,000 and five years in prison.
The impact of license suspension
Without a driver’s license, you can’t run to the grocery whenever you want or drive to visit a sick friend. If you want to leave work in the middle of the day or pick the kids up from daycare, you will need to figure out public transportation, pay for a cab or ask a friend. Over time, this can become inconvenient, expensive and irritating.
If you cannot drive, you may not have reliable transportation to work; you may have to adjust parenting plans and custody schedules; your freedom to go wherever you want whenever you want can be significantly limited.
For all these reasons, protecting your driving privileges can be crucial. To do this, you can work with an attorney to defend yourself and avoid DUI conviction and harsh penalties.
