Administrative Suspension: DUBAL or Refusal (21 and Older)

An automatic “administrative suspension” has been placed on your record (per F.S. 322.2615) because you were cited by law enforcement as Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and one of the following took place.  This immediately suspends your driving privilege.

 DUBAL (Driving with an Unlawful Blood Alcohol Level): You agreed to submit to a test* and the results indicated you were above the legal limit (.08 or higher).  Depending on whether it’s your first, second or subsequent offense, the suspension period can be 6 months to 1 year. 

 REFUSAL: You refused to submit to a test*.  Depending on whether it’s your first, second or subsequent offense, the suspension period can be 1 year to 18 months. 

* The test could be a breath, blood or urine test.
 
If the applicable box is marked on the citation issued by law enforcement, the citation will act as 10-day temporary driving permit to allow you to get your affairs in order.
 
(If you are later convicted of the DUI when you go to court, your driver license and driving privilege will be revoked.  This is separate from the administrative suspension for DUBAL/Refusal.)

You have three options when you have this type of suspension on your record: 

Option 1: CONTEST THE SUSPENSION 

You can opt to challenge the suspension.  To do so, you must contact the Bureau of Administrative Review (BAR) in person or by phone within 10 days of receiving the citation.  If BAR agrees to schedule a hearing, they will authorize a temporary permit restricted to “business purposes only” to allow you to drive until the date of your hearing.  (A correspondence will be indicated on your driving record.)  If BAR agrees to remove the suspension during the hearing, it will be deleted from your record and your license will be printed and mailed from Tallahassee.  If it is sustained, the suspension will remain on your record and you would have to choose from option #2 or #3 below.  

Option 2: WAIT OUT THE SUSPENSION PERIOD

Once the expiration date has passed, you will need to: 

•  Provide proof of enrollment or completion of DUI School effective after your offense date that will be scanned and subject to verification. 

•  If issuing a replacement license, you must present documents that establish your identity pursuant to the Real ID Act (e.g. US birth certificate, US passport, proof of name change(s), USCIS (INS) documents, Social Security Card and 2 proofs of residential address) unless you are already Real ID compliant and no changes are needed. For a complete list of acceptable identity documents, visit flhsmv.gov/whattobring. 

• An Online Application is REQUIRED for all transactions! To complete your driver license or ID card transaction at one of our branches, you must complete the Online Driver License & ID Card Application (https://taxcollector.jotform.com/210103795736152) – or scan the QR code to access the application – prior to your appointment. Do not print the application; an associate will access your electronic submission during your appointment. Applications are valid for 90 days. 

Option 3: APPLY TO BAR FOR EARLY REINSTATEMENT

If you do not want to wait out the suspension period, you can contact BAR to find out if you are eligible for a hardship license and request a hardship hearing.  Hardship licenses cannot be issued to someone with a Learner License or a Commercial Driver License. If BAR approves issuance of a hardship license, you have three options for obtaining the physical license:

 Option 1: If BAR approves your application for a hardship license, they will issue a license with the proper hardship restriction and it will be mailed to you from Tallahassee. 

Option 2: In the rare case that BAR does not issue the license, you may be able to reinstate and request a new license online! If BAR has indicated on your record that you have been approved and the proper restriction to be placed on your license, you can reinstate and request your new license online - or scan the QR code to access the site. Remitting payment and reinstating online will save you a trip to our office.

Option 3: In the rare case that BAR does not issue the license and you are ineligible to reinstate online, you can visit our office for issuance.  Upon verification of the hardship authorization, our office will issue a replacement license with the appropriate restriction, provided you submit the following:

• Documents that establish your identity pursuant to the Real ID Act (e.g. US birth certificate, US passport, proof of name change(s), USCIS (INS) documents, Social Security Card and 2 proofs of residential address) unless you are already Real ID compliant and no changes are needed. For a complete list of acceptable identity documents, visit flhsmv.gov/whattobring. 
• An Online Application is REQUIRED for all transactions! To complete your driver license or ID card transaction at one of our branches, you must complete the Online Driver License & ID Card Application (https://taxcollector.jotform.com/210103795736152) – or scan the QR code to access the application – prior to your appointment. Do not print the application; an associate will access your electronic submission during your appointment. Applications are valid for 90 days.

ACCEPTABLE METHODS OF PAYMENT AND ESTIMATED FEES

We will accept cash, check, debit cards, and credit cards. A $2.50 processing fee for debit cards and a 2.5% processing fee (minimum of $2.50) for credit cards will apply. Our office does not retain any portion of this fee.

Estimate of fees for your transaction:

Service Fee...............................................................................$6.25             
Reinstatement Fee.................................................................$175.00   
Driver License (replacement).............................................$25.00
Driver License (renewal).......................................................$48.00
Commercial Driver License (renewal)..............................$75.00
Late Fee......................................................................................$15.00
Endorsement Fee....................................................................$7.00 (each)

*Fees listed above only apply to reinstatements processed at the Driver License Branch; they do not apply to any fees owed to BAR. Online fees may differ slightly.
**Other related reinstatement or issuance fees may apply.

INVALID LICENSE INFORMATION

Is your license currently suspended, revoked and/or cancelled? If your driver license is suspended, revoked and/or cancelled, driving any type of vehicle may result in:

• ARREST by law enforcement
• TOWING of your vehicle

We urge you to respect the law and make arrangements other than driving a vehicle to avoid the unfortunate events above. A free public phone and computer are provided in the lobby to call for a ride from our office or to access the Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) website.

Note: A minor child operating a motor vehicle with a learner license must be accompanied by another adult with a valid license (non-suspended).

How can you get your license back once it's reinstated? If your license was retained by one of our branches due to a suspension, revocation and/or cancellation, you may be able to have it returned for no additional fee once it has been reinstated. Licenses retained by our office are only kept for a short period of time before they are destroyed.

If you are interested in getting your license back, you must do the following within 1-2 days after your license was retained.

1. Return to the branch that retained your license.
2. Print the screen from https://mydmvportal.flhsmv.gov/home/en/publicweb/dlcheck that shows your license is “VALID” that day.
3. Provide the screen print to the receptionist.

If your license has been destroyed or you opt to purchase a replacement license at the time you reinstate your driving privilege, you would be subject to the $31.25 replacement fee. 

DO YOU NEED ID WHILE YOUR LICENSE IS SUSPENDED?

If you need identification while your license is under suspension, revocation or cancellation, you can apply for a Florida ID card.  However, it is important that you are aware of the following: 

• You cannot hold both an ID card and a driver license at the same time.  Upon issuance of an ID card, your driver license record will be invalidated.
• The cost of an ID card is an estimate of $31.25 (in person) or $27.00 (online).
• Additional driver license replacement or renewal fees will be due when your driver license is eventually reinstated.

You can downgrade to an ID card online or in person. If visiting our office to downgrade, you must comply with the following: 

• Documents must be presented that establish your identity pursuant to the Real ID Act (e.g. US birth certificate, US passport, proof of name change(s), USCIS (INS) documents, Social Security Card and 2 proofs of residential address) unless you are already Real ID compliant and no changes are needed. For a complete list of acceptable identity documents, visit flhsmv.gov/whattobring.
• Appointments are required. Schedule an appointment online at taxcollector.com.
• An Online Application is REQUIRED for all transactions! To complete your driver license or ID card transaction at one of our branches, you must complete the Online Driver License & ID Card Application (https://taxcollector.jotform.com/210103795736152) – or scan the QR code to access the application – prior to your appointment. Do not print the application; an associate will access your electronic submission during your appointment. Applications are valid for 90 days.