What Traffic Violations Can Result in Driver License Suspension?

Traffic Violations

The most feared traffic violations are ones that take your driver license away. Losing your driving privileges makes it difficult to go to work, run an errand or visit a friend.

License suspension is a temporary loss of driving privileges. Certain violations result in automatic license suspension, such as a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction, refusing to take a chemical test if stopped for DUI and zero-tolerance violations for underage drivers. Other actions that can lead to driver license suspension include:

• Misuse of a restricted license
• Failure to pay a traffic violation fine or appear in court as instructed
• Fraudulent driver license application
• Traffic court conviction that results in license suspension

Driver point accumulations can also lead to license suspension. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has a driver license point system. Here is how suspension works based on the point system:

• A 30-day suspension for 12 points earned within 12 months
• A 90-day suspension for 18 points earned within 18 months
• A year’s suspension for 24 points earned within 36 months

You accumulate the highest number of points (six points) for speeding that results in an accident and for leaving the scene of a crash that involves more than $50 of property damage. Other points you can accumulate are for moving violations that result in a crash, failure to stop at a traffic signal, passing a stopped school bus, speeding more than 15 miles over the limit, and reckless driving (each worth four points).

When you believe you are not guilty of a violation, consider consulting with an attorney for a legal opinion. By working with a law firm, you can often challenge the ticket. While you may not consider a traffic violation a big deal, sometimes it is bigger than you realize. Having a skilled lawyer to fight the traffic ticket may save you from unnecessary license suspension.