Is Your License Suspended Immediately After a DUI in Florida? 2025

Being charged with a DUI in Florida comes with a range of consequences. For example, you may have to pay fines, serve jail time, or have your license suspended. Having your license suspended can prove inconvenient, especially if you drive to school or work. Therefore, you may find yourself asking: is your license suspended immediately after a DUI in Florida?

What Constitutes a DUI in Florida?

In Florida, driving under the influence means driving while impaired by alcohol, controlled substances, prescription drugs, or a combination of these. If a person is arrested for a DUI, that means their blood alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit. Drivers suspected of driving impaired may be subject to a chemical, blood, or urine test.

Florida DUI Laws

Driving impaired is dangerous for everyone involved, and Florida has strict DUI laws to prevent impaired driving. A DUI may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, and penalties stiffen with each subsequent offense.

Additionally, there is a penalty for denying a chemical, blood, or urine test at the time of your arrest. Florida operates under the implied consent law when it comes to DUIs. This means citizens automatically consent to a chemical test if they are suspected of driving impaired. Refusing any of the aforementioned tests may result in your license being suspended for a year.

Penalties for a DUI

If you are convicted of a DUI, you may be up against serious consequences. This is why it is important to have a lawyer on your side who can negotiate your sentencing or even get your case dismissed. The penalties for a DUI are consistent in Florida and may include paying fines, serving time in jail, having your vehicle impounded, being required to enroll in a DUI program, and having your license suspended.

Paying fines is one of the most common consequences of being convicted of a DUI. If it is your first offense, you may be liable to pay between $500 and $1,000. If there was a minor in the vehicle or your BAC was 0.15 or higher, the fine may go up to $2,000. If you are a repeat offender, the fines can increase to up to $5,000. Further, if you are convicted of a DUI for the third time within 10 years of your second offense, it is a third-degree felony.

Imprisonment for a DUI also ranges depending on whether it is a subsequent offense. For a first-time offense, an offender may serve up to six months in prison, nine months for the second, and up to a year for the third. There is mandatory sentencing for a third conviction, and prison time can be up to five years for the fourth offense.

Florida DUI License Suspension Laws

Another common penalty for a DUI offense is having your license suspended. If you are suspected of driving impaired, and a chemical test proves as much, your license will be suspended immediately. You will then be issued a temporary license or permit, which is valid for 10 days from the arrest date. To get your license reinstated, you must attend an administrative hearing, and if you do not, your license will be suspended automatically.

This can be critical for many people who depend on their license and vehicle to travel to school, home, or work. Therefore, it is important to act fast and hire a Tampa DUI lawyer to improve your chances of having your license reinstated.

Florida also provides hardship licenses for DUI offenders. However, without the counsel of a lawyer, it may be more difficult to get your license back, move on with your life, and resume your normal activities.

FAQs

Q: When Do You Lose Your License After a DUI in Florida?

A: You lose your license immediately after being arrested for a DUI in Florida. An administrative license suspension is effective immediately after your arrest, but you may be provided a temporary license. The temporary license is only valid for 10 days after the day you were arrested. This is based on your eligibility.

Q: What Is the 10-day Rule for DUI in Florida?

A: The 10-day rule for a DUI in Florida means that a person arrested for a DUI has 10 days to attend a court hearing to get their license reinstated. Persons who drive impaired, are repeat offenders, drive impaired while underage, or refuse a chemical, breath, or blood test may have their licenses suspended immediately. They are then issued a temporary license for 10 days and have this time frame to attend a hearing and get their license back.

Q: How Do I Get My License Back After a DUI in FL?

A: To get your license back after a DUI in Florida, you should consult with a lawyer. A qualified and reputable lawyer intimately understands Florida’s DUI laws and may be able to convince the judge to reinstate your license. It is important to act fast because of Florida’s 10-day rule. Once that time period has passed, it becomes more difficult to get your license reinstated.

Q: What Happens After Your First DUI in Florida?

A: After your first DUI in Florida, you may be liable for paying fines up to $1,000, serving up to six months in jail or on probation, getting your license suspended or revoked, having your vehicle impounded for up to 10 days, and you may even be required to enroll in a DUI program. Each penalty is at the judge’s discretion. Also, if a minor was in the vehicle or if your BAC was above .15, your sentencing may be longer and fines more expensive.

Reputable Florida DUI Lawyers

Being arrested for a DUI can be devastating, especially if it is your second, third, or even fourth offense. Besides being responsible for paying fines or serving jail time, you may have your license suspended immediately at the scene. At Jeff Marshall Law, our team has the skills and experience to help you get your license back and move forward with your life. Let us help you. You do not have to do it alone. Act quickly, and contact us today for a consultation.