Source: https://www.criminaldefenseattorneytampa.com/dui/bar/hardship-license/
Timestamp: 2019-01-20 21:53:26
Document Index: 623132308

Matched Legal Cases: ['§322', '§322', '§322', '§322', '§322', '§322', '§322', '§569', '§322', '§322', '§318', '§817', '§817', '§322', '§322', '§790', '§322', '§832', '§322', '§812', '§817', '§817', '§322', '§322']

Eligibility for a Hardship License in Florida
Home » DUI » BAR » Hardship License
If your license is suspended or revoked in Florida, you might be eligible to obtain a hardship license. This article discusses the requirement to get a hardship license. The requirements for all hardship hearings include:
the customer may submit a completed Application for Hardship License (HSMV 78306);
pay a $12.00 filing fee;
wait for a CDLIS check to be completed; and
wait for a CCIS check/inquiry to be completed by the Hearing Officer (with a traffic search for out of state residents).
Attorney for Hardship License in Florida
If you need to hire an attorney to help you contest a suspension or obtain a hardship license in Florida, then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in Tampa, FL.
We charge $400 an hour to review your driving record and explain all of the steps you need to take. That initial consultation usually takes one hour and we need a copy of your Florida’s driving record at the time of the initial consultation.
During this initial hearing, we can also help you understand the problems you might have when seeking the hardship license.
Most people do NOT need an attorney to obtain a hardship license. Some people, however, want to hire an experienced attorney to help them through every step of the process. If you need help, call Sammis Law Firm to schedule a consultation.
Read the Script – What Questions are Asked During the Hardship Hearing?
The hearing officer will greet you and ask you to have a seat. The hearing officer will inform you that the hearing will be recorded before turning on the tape recorder. After the recording begins, the hearing officer will read from the script:
I am ___[name of hearing officer], HSMV Field Hearing Officer. This hearing is regarding the suspension / revocation for ___[type of susp / rev]___, with effective date of _______, with an expiration date of ______.
Your hearing today is an informal proceeding of an administrative nature, therefore, judicial procedures do not apply. Florida Statute Section 322.271 gives the department the authority to conduct your hardship hearing. This hearing allows you and the department an opportunity to evaluate your driving record and to determine whether a hardship license should be granted.
Before we begin this hearing, I must place you under oath. Please raise your right hand. Do you swear or affirm that the testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
For the record, please state your full name, date of birth and your current address.
The hearing officer will then ask any witness, criminal defense attorney or interpreter in the room to identify himself or herself for the record.
Then the hearing officer will ask a series of questions so that he or she can fill out his report.
If so, is your spouse employed?
Do you have a license in your possession? [If so the hearing officer will ask you to turn it over since you are not supposed to possess a driver’s license if your driving privileges have been revoked or suspended.]
What days do you work and what hours do you work on each day?
The hearing officer will then note whether he or she has checked the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) and Comprehensive Case Information System (CCIS), offered by Florida’s Clerks of Court. Using those records, the hearing officer will note the following:
number of previous hearings;
number of previous conviction;
whether a traffic crash occurred;
number of previous suspensions; and
number of previous revocations.
The hearing officer will then review the subject’s driving record and discuss both current and past violations on the transcript. The hearing officer will also inform the subject of the consequences resulting from future or similar violations (such as points, revocations, suspensions, or designation as a habitual traffic offender).
In many cases, the subject might have another suspension or revocation in another state or country that is not showing up on the Florida driver’s license. If the subject does not want to disclose this information to the hearing officer, then he or she should not request a hardship hearing. In some cases, it might just be best to forgo the hardship hearing and just wait to reinstate the license until after the suspension is over.
Questions related to any out of state revocation or suspension would include:
Have you ever been licensed in another state or country?
If yes, what state or country were you in when the revocation or suspension occurred?
Be aware that if that revocation or suspension is not showing up on the driving record, then the hearing officer make take steps to request that the out-of-state revocation or suspension be added to the Florida driving record.
For suspensions or revocations that are alcohol-related, the hearing officer will ask the following questions:
Have you ever been convicted of an alcohol-related offense in any other state?
Has your privilege to drive ever been suspended or revoked in any other state or country?
Do you have any violations / convictions / revocations / suspensions that have not been mentioned?
Do you understand what caused the revocation / suspension of your driving privilege?
Were you incarcerated as a result of this revocation / suspension of your driving privileges?
If so, what was the date of your release? [For purposes of determining your eligibility for a hardship license, some time periods do not begin until after the subject is released from incarceration.]
What did you learn in the ADI / DUI School?
How can you prevent future violations from occurring? [Don’t drive without a license and don’t drink alcohol].
What are your driving needs? [work, school, church, doctor, grocery store]
How did you get here today? [The hearing officers will often watch everyone that pulls into the parking lot. If you drive to the hearing they will know. Don’t drive to a nearby parking lot and walk over. Do not drive to the hearing.]
How have your driving needs been met since your suspension / revocation?
When was the last time you operated a motor vehicle? [If you have a permanent revocation and you drove on that revocation during the last five years then you are NOT eligible for a hardship. If you have a DUI suspension and drove during the suspension, then you will not be eligible for a hardship.]
For what reason did you operate a motor vehicle?
At this point, the hearing officer might discuss any F.R. (financial responsibility) Suspension. The hearing officer might also note whether the subject has a good or bad attitude (so tell your client to have a “good attitude”).
The form also says “M/O’s (Multiple DUI Offenders) ONLY: When was the last time you consumed any type of alcoholic beverage or controlled substance?”
The bottom part of the form notes whether the D300 was issued, the date issue, who it was approved through, and whether the database was updated. The hearing officer will then note whether the person is eligible for:
C = Business Purposes
D = Employment Purposes
Y = Educational Purposes
The hearing officer will indicate whether the subject failed to submit. Whether the request was denied, the reason, and the reconsideration date.
The Hearing Officer will also talk with the subject about any requirement for the ignition interlock device and other conditions required by DUI special supervision services (if applicable).
The Hearing Officer will note whether the person has completed ADI, DUI School or another requirement, the completion date or the enrollment date. The bottom of the form also has a section for comment and the amount paid for the reinstatement or license fee. Finally, the form has a place for the hearing officer to sign.
When are you Not Eligible for a Hardship License?
Not everyone is eligible for a hardship license. You are not eligible for a hardship license if you have any of the following:
a first DUI conviction with two or more prior refusal suspensions §322.271(2)(a);
a DUBAL or Refusal suspension with two or more DUI convictions §322.271(2)(a);
a second offense more than five years after first conviction under §322.282(2)(a) & F.A.C.15A-1.019(5)(a);
a DUBAL conviction/revocation prior to 1986 counts as prior DUI; or
third offense more than 10 years after 2nd conviction under §322.282(2)(a) & F.A.C.15A-1.019(5)(a).
The following miscellaneous triggering events make a person not eligible for a hardship license:
Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance §322.27(6)(Has to have been driving vehicle);
Theft of a Motor Vehicle or Parts or Components of a Motor Vehicle §322.274(1)
Unless Court Order directs reinstatement
Suspension resulting from the “Drop-Out Law” §322.091
Possession of Tobacco by a Minor §569.11
Excessive Drinker/Habitual Drunkard
Referral to Medical Advisory Board
Failure to Pay Child Support §322.245(4)
Fail To Pay Ct Financial Obligation §322.245(5)
Failure to Pay/Appear – Traffic Fines §318.15
Financial Responsibility Suspensions under Chapters 627 and 324, Florida Statutes, and F.A.C. 15A1.019(5)(g)
FR ineligibility does not apply to Fraudulent Insurance Claim Revocation under §817.234(8)(9) & §817.505
CDL must be downgraded to Class E §322.271(6) & 322.64(10)
Florida’s 15A-1.019 for Reinstatement and Hardship Privileges
Any driver whose driver’s license has been suspended, revoked, or cancelled for any reason, other than those that are statutorily prohibited, and habitual offenders during the first year of their five year revocation, may apply immediately to the Department for the modification of the order or the reinstatement of a license.
Those request pursuant to Section 322.271, F.S., include:
(1) Furnish the Department with a completed Application for Administrative Hearing (form HSMV-78306, Revised 12/13, and herein incorporated by reference), obtained from a Department office, and the following:
(a) Driver’s license, if in the applicant’s possession.
The administrative rule, F.A.C. 15A-1.019, was previously numbered as 15A-1.19 when created on 11-20-75. The rule was last amended on 12-22-92 and 6-3-14. Related statutory provisions including Florida Statute Sections 318.15, 322.16, 322.245, 322.271, 322.28, and 322.282.
What Happens if the First DUI is Not on the Record?
In many cases, a person will go to the Bureau of Administrative Reviews office in order to get a hardship license after a DUI conviction in court. Because it takes time for the court ordered suspension to show up on the person’s driving record, the BAR will not have any record that the First DUI court-ordered suspension is on the driver’s record.
When the first DUI is not on the record, no hardship hearing will occur. Instead, the hearing officer will check for the driver’s eligibility.
If the driver is eligible, the hearing officer will issue a 30-day temporary permit with a C restriction. If the driver is not eligible, the hearing officer will tell the driver the reason he or she is not eligible and the way to take corrective actions.
The hearing officer will tell the person to check back near the end of 30 days. If the driving record is not updated with the DUI conviction within 30 days, then the driver needs a certified court order (with court seal and signature) containing the driver’s name, DL#, citation number, conviction information and length of sanction.
The hearing officer will make a copy of that record for the file and upload the document to SharePoint.
Getting a Hardship with Multiple DUI Convictions
If a person will multiple offenses has a DUI that is not yet listed on their driving record, then no hardship hearing will be scheduled.
Instead, the records are sent through SHAREPOINT. The hearing officer needs certified court documents (with court seal and signature) containing the driver’s name, DL#, citation number and conviction information and length of sanction.
The hearing officer will obtain the customer’s phone number to advise the person when the record has been updated.
Multiple DUI Offenders Must Comply with the Special Supervision Service Program
Even out of state customers must be able to comply with SSSP. The driver must call the provider prior to hearing to see if they can comply.
The out of state multiple offender will be told about two SSSP locations that can be contacted:
Bridgeway Center in Ft. Walton at (850) 833-7474; and
Tri County in Winter Haven/Lakeland at (863) 701-1919.
If other sanctions are not on record, then no hearing will be scheduled.
Instead, the hearing officer will send to records through SHAREPOINT using instructions. The hearing officer needs certified court documents (with court seal and signature) containing the driver’s name, DL#, citation number and conviction information and length of sanction.
The hearing officer will obtain the customer’s phone number to advise when the record has been updated.
Requirements for Out of State License Holders
The out of state license holder must do all of the following before obtaining a hardship license including:
the driver must obtain FL license for hardship; and
the driver must be willing to surrender OOS DL (privilege).
If both of those conditions are met, then the hearing officer will hold the hearing and send the person to the DL office after proving the requirements for DL issuance. If the person cannot comply, then no hearing will be set.
What happens if the out of state license holder has a DUI Conviction?
There is no hardship hearing in Florida. The conviction will go to other state and the driver must deal with the requirements in that state. The conviction will NOT be recorded on the Florida driving record.
If a Florida driver’s license has been issued, the conviction should be transfer back through NDR so that no revocation occurs.
School Requirements for Hardship Reinstatement
Under Florida Statute Section 322.271(2)(a):
“Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the department shall require proof of the successful completion of the applicable department-approved driver training course … or DUI program substance abuse education course and evaluation … If a driver’s license has been suspended under the point system or pursuant to s. 322.2615, the department shall require proof of enrollment…”
No School Required for these Convictions
As explained in BAR Bulletin 98-03, Bulletin 010-98, Fla. Stat. §322.271, and F.A.C.15A-1.019(4), unless specifically required by court order, the following non-driving suspensions or revocations do not require school attendance:
Firearms Violation under §790.22;
Fraud under §322.27(1)(d);
Worthless Checks under §832.09 & 832.05;
Lewdness or Immoral Acts under §322.26(7);
Petit Theft under §812.014;
Fraudulent Insurance Claims under §817.234(8) & (9), §817.505 and §322.26(9);
Upgrade In Restriction (D To C) under §322.271; and
Reinstatement Rescinded/ Non-Multiple DUI Offenders – F.A.C.15A-1.019(4).
Hardship Hearing for a Fraudulent Driver License
In Florida, the DHSMV will suspend a driver’s license for one year if the person is accused of fraudulently obtaining a driver license.
The driver may petition the department for a hearing to determine whether or not fraud has been committed. If, during the hearing, it is determined that fraud was not committed, the suspension will be removed.
Read more about the Florida DHSMV driver license fraud suspension and how we fight these cases.
Hardship after a Driver License Suspension and Revocation – Visit the website for the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to learn more about the driver license suspension and revocation. Many suspension can be cleared by paying an unpaid fine or submitting proof of completing driver improvement school. Find information on drivers who are incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle, point accumulations on the driver record, violations not DUI related but resulting in death or serious bodily injury, and fraudulent driver license.