Getting around South Florida without a valid driver’s license can feel like competing in an obstacle course on a game show, only you don’t have an audience cheering for you. The Miami metropolitan area, which includes Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, does not provide dependable mass transit, despite being the 7th largest metro area in the country. Piecing together bus schedules can take hours of your day while relying on rideshares and taxis can pack a painful punch to your wallet. Living here means depending on a personal vehicle for reliable transportation, so doesn’t it make sense to know whether your driver’s license is valid?
Not only is it difficult to get around without driving privileges, the State frequently suspends licenses for reasons that have little to do with operating a vehicle safely. According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, approximately 2 million Floridians have a suspended license, and that number may be growing. If you’re unsure about the status of your Florida driver’s license, here’s how you can confirm that you’re legally fit to drive.
Check Your License Status Online
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles makes it easy for drivers to check the status of their licenses online. If you’re curious about whether you have a license suspension, it’s more convenient than ever to find out! Just go to the Florida DHSMV website and look up your license: https://services.flhsmv.gov/dlcheck/. If the site turns up “VALID,” your license is OK. Any other result will require clearing up to avoid driving without a valid license, which is a criminal offense.
You can find all kinds of information about your license and driving history on the DHSMV’s website.
- Violations for which you incurred points
- Driving test performance
- Driving history of your children under 18
If your license is about to expire, you might also be able to renew it online.
Check Your Mail
More than likely, the Florida DHSMV will mail you a notification stating that your license has been suspended. Sending notices in the mail about license issues is the primary way the Department communicates information. They will mail you a letter to the address they have on file, so make sure the address printed on your driver’s license is current.
Call Your Auto Insurance Provider
If your auto insurance has lapsed, your auto insurance agent will know. Sometimes, this happens because of a suspended driver’s license. Your agent will be able to explain why your insurance lapsed.
What to do if Your License is Suspended
As you now know, the State suspends licenses all the time. There are simple steps you can — and should — take to contest the suspension of your license. First, you should contact a suspended license attorney in West Palm Beach. An experienced attorney can look into the details of the suspension and help you make a case for reinstatement.
If you drove with a suspended license and got caught, it makes little difference whether you knew your license was suspended when it comes to hiring an attorney. Driving on a suspended license without knowledge is a civil infraction rather than a criminal offense; however, an attorney will help you keep it off your driving record. Paying a ticket for driving with a suspended license is an admission of guilt, so you will still get points on your license. Over time, points can add up and lead to a license suspension all over again.
Attentive Traffic Lawyer in Palm Beach County
Attorney Brian P. Gabriel has practiced law for more than 30 years. He’s a staunch defender of suspended license charges and has helped many people in West Palm Beach and nearby areas resolve all kinds of criminal traffic issues.
You can rely on him to put up a fight so you can keep your license. Mr. Gabriel is known for providing attentive and personalized service to each and every client. Find out how Mr. Gabriel can help you by calling 561-622-5575 for a free consultation or complete a contact form.